From Takarazuka Young Star Guide 2004: "Data of Kei Otozuki/Interview of Kei Otozuki"

[matataku_hoshi]

Disclaimer: I’m just an amateur with too much time on her hands who does these for fun.  My apologies for any mistakes contained within.  Feedback and constructive criticism are always appreciated.  Do not repost or retranslate without getting permission first.

Data of Kei Otozuki 

Birthday: 6/19
Blood type: Type O. Since I don’t mind, mixing me in with Type A is…
Reason for your real name: It’s the same as the name of a novelist my mother liked, and it’s also from the name of a tree.  It’s a thick and sturdy tree, and like that tree she wanted to include a “thriving” meaning.
Reason for your nickname: It’s from my real name.
Eyesight: 1.0 or 1.2
If you were an animal: A monkey.  I’m always making “Kiiii!” screeching noises and moving around a lot (laugh)
Favorite colors: Rainbow-color.  I like all colors at least a little bit.
Favorite season: Summer.
Favorite foreign country: I haven’t been there before, but Italy.  It’s because I saw “Calmi Cuori Appasionati” (1)
Favorite sports: Various ball games.  When I was a student I tried playing volleyball.
Favorite food/drink: Yamcha tea.  100% fresh juice.
Favorite celebrity: Ayumi Hamasaki-san.
Favorite TV show: Variety shows.
Favorite music: Western music.  I like trance a lot.
Kind of person that you like: People who firmly hold onto the core of their way of living and their dreams.
Incoming call ringtone: Right now it’s a series from “Odoru Dai Sousasen” and Ayumi Hamasaki songs.
Out of food, clothing, and shelter, which are you most interested in? Eh~!  I’m interested in all of them, but food (laugh).
Method for keeping fit: I sleep well and eat well.
Method for getting rid of stress: I like cooking, and my mood changes for the better when I do it.
Time you spend sleeping: 6 or 7 hours.
The amount of time it takes from waking up to leaving the house: An hour and a half.  If I oversleep, the fastest I can do it in is thirty minutes.
Hobbies: Doing things like making noise with everyone and making the most of the events of the four seasons.
Things that you collect: Because I like looking for delicious cafes, the business cards of shops and information about them.
The way you pass an average free day: Since lying around at home is no good, I do things like go out and go shopping.
Thing that you currently have the most interest in: The study of languages.  I’ve always had an interest in English conversation in particular.
Something that you’re obsessed with recently: Wherever I go, I carry around a recording device like a video camera or digital camera.
Favorite event of the year: New Year’s.
Trip that has left the greatest impression on you: When I went by myself to visit my friend in San Francisco.
Motto by which you live your life: Once you start something, don’t leave it unfinished.
The scariest thing in the world: Ghosts!
Something that you couldn’t live without: My relationships with my family and friends.
The thing that you think is most important in people: Having fun and living positively every day.

With only this you could be undefeatable: Because I’m not scared of strangers, anyone I talked to instantly becoming friends with me.              

Interview of Kei Otozuki

Please tell us about the place you were born. 

In Saitama.  Everyone thinks of the countryside as being stupid (laugh), but I personally don’t think of it as that kind of countryside.  Occasionally during my off time while I’m performing Tokyo shows I go back there.  Whenever I do so there’s a lot of green and the people around me are warm, so I feel a sense of relief.

What was your family like?

My father was very kind.  I suppose he was scary when he got angry, but he never really got angry.  As for my mother, she’s more like a Takarazuka otokoyaku than I am to the point that a classmate went as far as to ask me, “Did she used to be a Takarasienne?” (laugh)  She’s a fun mother.  My older sister is very clever, the opposite of me.  She also makes delicious food and whenever I visit with her she cooks for me.

Simply putting it, what sort of character would you say that you have?

I’m very emotional.  Inside of myself I’m surging, but I don’t really let it out.  Hmm, as for always flying brightly, I think I’m mostly able to go in good directions.  [Sketchy translation note: I had problems with the second half of this answer.  The original Japanese is:”まあ、全部明るく飛ばしているというか、結構良い方向を持っていけるかなと”」

What kind of child were you?

I started learning ballet when I was about two years old and because I had gotten used to music, I would do things like dance to the rhythm of the music playing in the supermarket.  My parents looked like they were really embarrassed, but apparently I was in high spirits (laugh).

What kinds of things were you obsessed with when you were a student?

Probably playing outside with my friends.  Because more people went to play outside than inside, during recess I would immediately fetch the coats for dodge ball and I would always play outside with everyone.  Before I realized it the bell to go back inside would ring.

Please tell us about a subject that you were really enthusiastic about and a subject that was your weak point.

I was good at music and P.E.  I was bad at science and math.  I would do my best at listening in class, but I couldn’t effectively apply it (wry smile)

What job did you yearn to have?

When I was little I thought about being a nurse, but since became interested in theater a bit, I guess someone who did theater or performing arts.

When was the first time you saw Takarazuka?

It was Suzukaze Mayo-san’s sayonara show “Grand Hotel.”  My ballet teacher was Suzukaze Mayo-san’s classmate Fuzuki Rei (2).  She told me I should try to take the Takarazuka entrance exam.  But because I didn’t know anything about Takarazuka yet, without delay she brought me with her to see it.  I was very moved.

What was your reason for deciding “I want to join Takarazuka!”

At first that teacher’s recommendation was a considerably large part of it, but because I had some interest and my parents supported me, I decided to take the test.

What are your memories of the Takarazuka Music School entrance exam?

Because compared to other girls who were taking the test I had barely trained for it and I didn’t have self-confidence, whenever I gave my name, even as I thought I was answering vigorously, I was utterly frantic.  [Sketchy Japanese alert: That was another hard one.  The original Japanese is: “返書だけでも元気良くと思いながら、ただただ必死でした.”] 

What are your memories of your time at Takarazuka Music School?

I didn’t know that Takarazuka seito did the cleaning.  I was in charge of cleaning out the entry area, but in terms of being regular, when I cleaned on hot or cold days, at first I was able to by some means make myself wake up early, but as I went along for a period of time I got angry whenever I cleaned.  I think it got better when I became a second year student.  [Sketchy translation note: That second to last sentence was hard.  The original Japanese is: “玄関掃除の担当だったんですけど、規則正しいというか、暑い日も寒い日も掃除をしてて、最初はどうしても朝早いし慣れなかったんですけど、やっていくうちに、綺麗にすることに結構燃えてしまった。] 

What was your reason for choosing your stage name?

I received the character of “zuki” from Fuzuki Rei-san.  “Kei” is because my parents really wanted to fasten it on from my real name.  I decided on “Oto” because it had a nice ring to it when put together with “zuki.”

What was your reason for deciding to become an otokoyaku? 

Because I had a boyish face (laugh), and because in the outside world I couldn’t be an otokoyaku. 

How was your hatsubutai?

There were many people in Cosmos Troupe who were very good at dance, and I would think “They’re amazing!” as I watched from the rehearsal room.  For the koujou of the final performance, during the “douzo” of “Minna-sama, douzo yoroshiku!”, I alone raised my voice too loudly.  The upperclassmen, who were watching from the wings, laughed too (laugh).  I guess I’m the type who is very easily moved. 

What was your first line?

The first one that has left an impression on me was when I had the shinjinkouen lead in “In Search of El Dorado.”  In the first scene I said “Hotaena!” from the wings, which was difficult and I was nervous about. 

Which role and show have been the most striking for you so far? 

I think “Singing in the Moonlight.”  Kodama-sensei, the upperclassmen around me, as well as lead performer Wataru-san (Kozuki Wataru) would all stay around late at night, and they taught me various things.  There was a feeling of running frantically.  I was also given a solo and every day I was able to do lots and lots.  I loved that role of a pure youth.

Of everything you’ve seen up until this point, which Takarazuka performance has moved you the most? 

“Elisabeth.”  Snow Troupe was in the middle of their performance when I was taking the entrance examination and I saw it then.  It really gave me goose bumps.  That’s one I want to perform.

In your life so far as a Takarasienne, what has made you the happiest? 

When the first time I played the lead in a shinjinkouen, my classmates did things like come and watch me from the wings and send me lots of mail.  I felt like I was being buoyed up by the people around me.  That, and I was extremely happy when I was chosen to be a member of the Berlin tour.  There was also pressure from the people who weren’t members to do my best, but being able to go as a representative of Takarazuka was an honor I was happy about.

Notes: 

(1) A Japanese film (apparently a love drama) set in Japan and Italy.  In English it’s called “Between Calm and Passion.”

(2) Fuzuki Rei apparently runs a ballet school, and includes classes for would-be Takarasiennes. See http://nttbj.itp.ne.jp/0485275445/index.html?Media_cate=populer&svc=1303

Comments

[mooglechan.livejournal.com]

Chibi-Kimu dancing in the supermarket?! Kawaii!! XD
Thanks for translating! I love hearing about their origins and exactly what makes a Takarasienne a Takarasienne. ^_^

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

I love hearing about their origins too. Sometimes the interviews in the Young Star Guides can be a bit of a bear to get through, but they're always worth it. (Of course I love my Graph fluff, but sometimes it's nice to read stuff that's a little more substantial).

By the way, nice icon ^^

[mooglechan.livejournal.com]

I just wish my Japanese skills were good enough to even attempt translating. The grammar's not too bad, but all those darn kanji! @__@

So seriously, thanks so much for translating! The sadly less-talented folk like me really appreciate it! ^^;

(Thanks! I haven't seen Non Non Sugar yet, but when is Kimu ever not cute? ^^)

[jess-in-japan.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that she got to do Elizabeth!

Yeah, Kimu is one of my favorites =) I like her reasoning for becoming an otokoyaku... lol.

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

I'd like to imagine that Kimu, who saw the 1996 Elisabeth with Tom, had no idea that one day she would 1) play one of Tom's roles in the shinjinkouen and 2) play Lucheni herself. If someone could have told her then that she'd be able to do some many things, I think she'd be very excited indeed <3

[shirabyoshi.livejournal.com]

Method for keeping fit: I sleep well and eat well.
[...]
Time you spend sleeping: 6 or 7 hours.

Why is it these are always the things one concentrates upon, even in articles that are otherwise very entertaining?

Ah well. At least she cooks.

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Unfortunately I'm not sure if a Takarasienne would ever have time to sleep more than six or seven hours. At least if she wanted to occasionally see family and friends and have outside interests.

I guess you're right, at least we know she's eating.

[shetan83.livejournal.com]

What does she mean by the blood type thing?

Interesting... Kimu likes Ayumi Hamasaki... and trance...

Heh, "making noise" with everyone. =)

Kimu! PLEASE LEARN ENGLISH!! And please visit Los Angles while you're at it. Not that I'd have a huge chance of bumping in to you, but...

Wow, Kimu's superpower: making friends... Kinda scary.

Aww, dancing in supermarkets. =3

And yeah, I get angry when I have to clean too. Especially cleaning up after assholes. >=|

And I'm glad Kimu got her wish to be in Elisabeth. =)

[jess-in-japan.livejournal.com]

I don't know what the original Japanese is here, but if I may add...

A-type people are known to be very organized and hard-working, but kinda uptight.
O-type people are natural leaders, but can be stubborn.
B-type people are usually free-thinkers and artist type people, but are really disorganized.
AB-type people are known to have mood-swings and be hard to understand.

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

I sometimes get asked by Japanese people what my blood type is, but I can never remember ^^;;

[jess-in-japan.livejournal.com]

When I learned what my blood-type is, I thought it could be useful to know in life-or-death situations... I was not aware that it would aid in everyday conversations in Japan... lol.

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

Jess gave a pretty good explanation below. The way Kimu worded her answer was kind of confusing, honestly. Oh, the Japanese and their blood type obsession... ^^;;

[speaknoenglish.livejournal.com]

thanks for the translation... i'm starting to like Kimu... i saw a clip, Albratoss where she plays the violin... cute smile just like Komu....

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

Kimu has played a lot of musical instruments in her shows, hasn't she? ^^

[violet-tango.livejournal.com]

Favorite colors: Rainbow-color. I like all colors at least a little bit.
She's the first person I ever 'met' who answers this question the same way as I do <333

And I didn't expect her to be an Ayu fan XD

With only this you could be undefeatable: Because I’m not scared of strangers, anyone I talked to instantly becoming friends with me.

I do SO believe her that <33

Her mother sounds cool and her teacher as well.

Did I mention I want to get my hands on the Search of El Dorado Shinjinkoen?

There is seriously no way that she doesn't win ones heart. <3333

Btw, icon is totally not fitting, but the only one of her I have in stock. :P

A secret....

[(Anonymous)]

Hey!
Do you have secrets? ;)
pls write me
LaurienGirvenqdv683@live.com