Application period for 4th single handshake sessions begins -- and members start fishing!

The first application period for 4th-single individual handshake events starts Thursday afternoon. So it's time for members to start fishing for guests. Really only three members have rowed out to sea, so far:

Nagasawa Nanako, of course -- perhaps out of habit, since I think the applications will pour in for her. And there's something lovely but restrained from Nijika. But the beautiful girl-next-door Takamoto Ayaka of Hiragana goes all-out. These are three of eight photos in her blog today, most set on her bed. Photos from Naako and Nijika later in this post.

Ayaka's aunt gave her something she'd long wanted: Dior Lip Maximizer (not that she needs it), as well as "roomwear."


Naako contented herself with promising a great Naa-Ken (NaakoNaako Research Society) get-together, with member registration and NaakoNaako events.

And Nijika gave a beautiful, typically wistful call for applications.

The application period lasts a day. You apply at fortunemusic.jp, paying about US$5 per application, and promising to buy a CD for around $10 for every ticket you are awarded. Selection is by lottery, and as the group becomes more and more popular, more and more applicants wind up not getting the handshake slots they apply for.

I expect a huge rush in this first application period. It gives some indication of how fast this could go that the rule is that no-one can apply for more than 45 tickets. Applicants should hear the results in a week's time, I believe. There will be a total of around 16 application periods. For Futari Saison handshake sessions, 18 members sold out all their slots, and another nine sold out all their slots in the final three events.

Kanji Keyaki members got a total of 24 slots to sell. Hiragana members got six to begin with , with some members expanded to 12 when they sold out the first ones. There is talk that popular members could be expanded to 30 slots, which is what Nogizaka members get -- or should I say "have to do"? Keyakizaka fans are split on  he subject: many don't want the members to be overworked.

This time, it is possible that everyone in both Kanji and Hiragana will get 24 slots.

EDIT: The opening table is out, with Kanjis getting 24 slots and Hiraganas all getting 12.  Makes sense to me. Hiraganas' slot numbers can be increased as necessary.