There is much talk about Sakurazaka46’s superb performances of their latest song. It’s the first of their releases to be centred by Fujiyoshi Karin, who turns 22 this summer.
To help her bear the heavy burden, we treated her to traditional Japanese cuisine, which she says is her favourite.
She spoke with us while tasting sake at the bar. What is her state of mind, as she faces this important role?
Fujiyoshi Karin becomes an adult in Yotsuya Sanchome
[Yotsuya Shinchome is a bar and restaurant district in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo].
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| Fujiyoshi Karin arrives at the Ogata restaurant |
This cry from the heart escaped Fujiyoshi Karin as, with an uneasy expression on her face, she slipped under the entrance curtain and entered the restaurant.
Her reaction seemed perfectly natural, coming from a 21-year-old who still retains some youthful innocence.
“This is the first time I’ve set foot in Yotsuya Sanchome. I never imagined there would be traditional restaurants here, deep in these narrow lanes. It’s fascinating.”
She spoke shyly, explaining that she likes to eat alone, and loves Japanese food. “I like to go by myself to eat ramen or grilled meat, and I like to travel alone.”
“I have lots of opportunities to eat meat, especially at wrap-up parties, but I don’t really enjoy it then,” she says with a wry smile.
“Just to have a bit of Japanese food is comforting. I don’t have ‘regular’ restaurants. I go into places that happen to appeal to me. But since getting the chance to eat here, I think I'll make this a regular spot,” she laughs.
As she tells it, she has liked to be alone ever since she was little. For ramen and grilled meat, and for travel, she’s a “loner”.
“When there’s a bit of a break in work, I like to go travelling by myself.
“When I'm deciding where to eat or where to stay, what matters most to me is the food. When I get where I’m staying, I eat as early at 6 o’clock, since I want to spend a long time in the bath. And if I’ve had anything to drink, I feel so good I just dive into bed in my yukata [bathrobe].
“I’m always like that, taking things slowly.”
* * *
Here is what is in the heart of this reserved young woman as she takes on the role of centre for the first time, in this group that is famous for its intense dancing.
What are her feelings, as she takes the role of centre on a single for the first time, with the 28 June release of Start Over?
“Normally when I drink, I like beer or whisky-and-soda,” says Fujiyoshi-san. Our interview was her last work of the day, and she tried the sake suggested by the manager. With no sign of her face reddening, she kept a dignified appearance. “Delicious,” she said. “I’m sorry, that’s all I can say….”
“In the group, I’ve been given the experience of various positions. I’ve watched over everyone from the back row and felt very comfortable there. But I came to feel that just aimlessly following along wouldn’t do any more….”
But wouldn’t anyone want to stand at centre? When we asked her about it, she said that rather than being happy, her first thought was just more like: “Here I am.”
To put it the opposite way, did you have previously have the feeling that you would eventually get there?
“I suppose so…. But a person has all kinds of imaginings, don’t they?
“When I thought of being centre, a floater like me thought what a heavy burden it would be (laughs). I’m aimless, but since I did think it would fit me, when I actually got there…I really did not feel I was a fake.
"Even though I did feel irresponsibly dependent on others.”
But actually standing there, didn’t she feel she had grabbed some freedom?
When she “actually stood there”, Fujiyoshi-san felt both freedom and responsibility.
“For a floater like me, the burden was heavy….” At 21 years old, Fujiyoshi Karin of Sakurazaka46 felt “freedom and responsibility”.
“To be centre on a single gave me much more freedom than I had imagined.”
On the menu, Fujiyoshi-san noticed “Clay pot meal (¥1850)” and her eyes shone like a child’s. That day, the main ingredient was corn [maize]. Testing the soft sweetness and slight saltiness of the dish, an expression of deep emotion came to her face. And afterward: “Such happiness. Truly an elegant sufficiency,” she bowed with a smile.
“Actually standing there at centre, there was more freedom than I had imagined. I felt so free.” Looking down into our eyes, she gave a fresh and bracing feeling as she spoke. "But there was also pressure," she said.
“For the MV, I discussed things with the director more than I ever had before, and got the chance to speak with more and more people. With full communication over the smallest details, we adjusted our approach.
“To respond to everyone’s ideas, I had to confront things with all my strength. Pressure and responsibility grew quickly.”
Freedom and responsibility are two sides of the same coin. But as she realized that, her response became stronger and stronger.
“There seemed to be some meaning in the fact that this big role came just as I was approaching the summer of my 22nd year.”
“As I approach the fifth anniversary of my joining the group, and with the Third Generation members just having joined, I feel that the timing has some significance. I think there is a message that I should now stand on my own feet and step forward.”
A few days later, we were shocked when we saw the preview of the MV.
In the video, Fujiyoshi-san’s emotions burst forth. From time to time a fearless smile came to her face, and moments of madness suffused her expression. Full of energy, she raged on. She seemed a completely different person from what she had shown us in Arakichou.
The words of the song made a deep impression: “Flee from the person you are now, open your eyes and wake up!” With what strong feelings she approached those words.
In any case, the awakened Fujiyoshi-san is powerful. We can’t take our eyes off her.
* * *
Profile
Fujiyoshi Karin, born 2001 in Osaka Prefecture. Passed the Sakamichi new member auditions and made her debut in 2018, becoming a member of Sakurazaka46. In 2022 took on her first acting role in the drama Azatokute Nani ga Warui no? First centred a single with Start Over, the MV of which became a hot topic, and which was released on 28 June.
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