Singer Ryusei Yokohama plays Tomimoto Itsukidayu in the taiga drama "UNBOUND (Berabou)" (NHK General, Sunday 8pm and other times), starring actor Leon Niihama. Tomimoto Itsukidayu is a figure who supported the heyday of Tomimotobushi, a school of Edo Joruri, and will appear in the 33rd episode, which will be broadcast on August 31st. Nihama, who also made headlines last year for appearing in the 75th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, will be making his first appearance in a taiga drama. We spoke to Nihama, who spoke with deep emotion, saying, "This is what it means to feel like a dream."
◇ "It's completely different from the way we sing today" - struggling with Edo Joruri
When Shinhama received the offer to appear in "UNBOUND" as Tomimoto Saigūtayu, he said, "At first I couldn't believe it."
"While I'm usually working as a singer, I have had the big dream of 'someday appearing in a taiga drama,' but I never imagined it would happen this year. When I went to eat with the staff at the end of the Hiroshima performance of the national tour, they told me, 'We've been talking about you appearing in a taiga drama,' and I was really surprised. I've been watching taiga dramas with my parents since I was little, so this is what they mean when they say it's like a dream."
Shinhama will play the role of Tomimoto Saigūtayu, who, together with Tsutae (Yokohama), comes up with a plan to deal with the worsening rice shortage in Edo and a series of riots.
The first thing he did to prepare for the recording was to "practice each and every movement."
"I made my debut as a singer in the world of enka and popular songs, but I didn't have many opportunities to wear a kimono, so I first studied each and every aspect of etiquette, like how to walk, stand, and use a folding fan. Also, Tomimoto Saigūtayu was a narrator at the time, so there are some aspects of her profession that link to me, but the way she sings is completely different from how we sing today, so I struggled with the modern aspects, like relaxing my fist and vibrato when singing, and I prepared while receiving guidance from my instructor."
When performing, the most important thing to me was the "narration part" of Edo Joruri.
"I was also given detailed guidance on pronunciation, so I was conscious until the very end of the process of saying words clearly and speaking in a way that was as close to the Japanese of the time as possible."
◇ "A big stimulus" for Ryusei Yokohama and others, feedback on their usual singing activities
Through the storytelling of Edo Joruri, he was able to come into contact with the "essence" and "origin" of his singing career.
"I've been singing in the genres of enka and pop music, but I felt that I had the opportunity to work on something that is at the very root of the essence of 'conveying words (lyrics)', and I'm sure there will be moments in my future songs that will come to life."
Furthermore, during this recording, "I was able to see up close the acting of top actors," including Yokohama, who plays Tsuta Shige, which was a great inspiration for me.
For Shinhama, all of these are things that he can use to improve his everyday singing career.
"In addition to the way I enunciate the words, there are also pauses, the way I use my eyes, the breathing before I speak, and in the intros and interludes of my songs, there are always moments when I can't do anything but feel bored, but I imagined that if I could fill those gaps with acting, the song would become more dynamic, so I immediately put that to good use and am still putting it to good use in my daily activities."
◇A new dream has grown: eventually leading a performance at the Meijiza Theater
In the play, Shinhama appears with his hair hanging down, and blushes, saying, "I think I looked good."
"I thought I'd have very few opportunities to see something like that in my lifetime, and it was my first time experiencing the process of having my makeup made and the special effects makeup applied, so I was able to enjoy every single aspect of it."
So what is it about period dramas that appeals to Shinhama?
"I believe that the reason we are able to live our normal lives today is because of the flow of the times and the things that have been passed down from that flow to the present day. I believe that knowing about previous eras is absolutely necessary in life, no matter what profession you are in. I think it is essential for connecting our current lives to the next, so whereas previously I was only in the position of observing, this time I was given the opportunity to actually experience it, and it was a great honor."
After experiencing acting in a period piece, new dreams began to grow.
"I want to work hard so that I can get another chance like that, and like my seniors, I would like to take on the challenge of leading a period piece at the Meijiza Theater or somewhere similar in the future."
