[ringo] Oct. 2006 Ringohan Newsletter Interview

How are all the members getting along?
This is the monthly report for October 2006, Kougyoku [Ruby] reporting.

Fall has been intensifying. With all the rain, summer seems to get farther away. Already almost a month before, the live DVD “Just Can’t Help It.” was put on sale September 6, and I think everyone’s fears were relieved. So, since then. At present we regrettably cannot show you what Shiina Ringo and Tokyo Jihen are primarily doing this fall. However, after remaining in obscurity we will certainly be waiting to break out. Right now every one of us is waiting.

In this month’s report from Kougyoku, we have an interview feature, a mini-interview with Ms. Ringo, which we do periodically. This time it is an interview in which we asked many things, such as about fall 2007’s condition, about what Ms. Ringo’s status is at the moment. We also included Hata Toshiki in the interview. Since his bone fracture, he has devoted himself to getting better, so we inquired how much he has recovered, and how he got on with life. This is an important interview with both parties.
All right, this has been this month’s issue of the monthly report, Kougyoku. Please enjoy it at your leisure.

Also, Junkankei Nakayoshi [Circulatory System Friends] Goods 2007 has received a lot of orders, for which we truly thank you. The merchandise will be sent out during December, so please wait a little.

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“Interview Feature Part One, Hata Toshiki”

First of all, Hata’s interview, in which we cover Hata’s medical treatment up until now and the worry of his fans over his present condition. Please have a look at it.

Q: To start off, I think I want to hear about your physical condition. How have you been lately?

My condition isn’t really very good, but I’m relieved that I haven’t been bothering anyone lately. (It seems he has a slight cold lately. –Ringohan ed.)

Q: It seems you were hospitalized; we were able to read about the good and bad things you experienced during that time in “Column: Ko-panda [Panda Offspring].” Were there a lot of troubles there?

Well, I’m not the complaining type, but it was hard to have nothing but things I didn’t understand. I left the hospital still not understanding a thing.

Q: If you were to say something personal in addition to your feelings about your hospitalization period: the comic relief of the DVD was up to you, Hata-san. Did that lift your spirits a bit?

It was hard being in the hospital and putting up with people laughing and crying. I’m glad I could give that to so many people on the DVD.

Q: Now then, since you unfortunately could not perform at July’s “Society of the Citizens Vol.1,” how did you feel about that?

(Watching the live) It was a lot of fun.

For the Gesellschaft [Society] Calendar photographing, you met up with the other Tokyo Jihen members after a long time. How did you feel about that?

It was really just like old times.

Q: And, as December’s rock-fest “Countdown Japan 06/07” will mark your return into Tokyo Jihen and uphold your pride, tell me about your enthusiasm towards that.

It still doesn’t feel like we’re really working, just having fun. I’ll do my best.

Q: Finally, do you have any words for all your worried fans?

I’m really so sorry. I’ll keep doing my best, so please allow me to do so.

[Interview Postscript]
He wants to continue to slowly and properly recover. It seems his hand is doing well. There’s nothing else for us to do but calmly await Hata Toshiki’s complete restoration.

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[Interview Feature Part 2, Ms. Ringo]

Now, we continue with the well-known Shiina Ringo’s mini-interview “Hikensha no Heya [Test Subject’s Room].” Ms. Ringo has been secluding herself in the proverbial Gate of the Celestial Rock Cave* to work on her creations. Whatever can she be producing? This is a situation that is not as it seems to her loyal fans. So this time, we challenged Ms. Ringo, right in front of us, on the theme of what she has been doing this fall. Indeed, she says a lot of important things. The different categories of questions are easy to understand. Please be satisfied by this episode full of implications.

* Reference to Japanese mythology. The Sun Goddess Amaterasu-omikami hid herself away in the Gate of the Celestial Rock Cave, causing Amanouzume-no-mikoto to perform a dance to lure her out. –trans.

Shiina Ringo Mini-Interview “Hikensha no Heya [Test Subject’s Room]”

Shiina Ringo, talking about what she has been doing this fall 2006

* about Junkankei Nakayoshi [Circulatory System Friends] Goods 2007
Q: For the Gesellschaft [Society] Calendar for Junkankei Nakayoshi Goods 2007, it appears you had to do some photography. How did you feel about having Tokyo Jihen all together after so long?

There wasn’t a lot of chit-chat among us, but we found out how Hata felt about his favorable post-op progress. I was happy.

Q: Now then, you’ll be using those photographs for the Gesellschaft [Society] Calender 2007, and I’ve heard rumors that it’s been finished extremely well. How do you think the 2007 edition looks?

The person in charge of marketing the goods, AD Manabu Mizuno (the goods design art director Manabu Mizuno-san –Ringohan ed.), with her gentle accuracy, has turned the course towards making this calendar even better than all the past ones.

Q: The Herrschaft Ballpoint Pen product is the 2007 edition of the floating pen. And this time, it seems your own figure will be floating from top to bottom inside it. How do you feel about that?

I’m incredibly embarrassed. It’s so silly. However, I’ll be happy if everyone receives it well. It seems like I always want to follow everyone’s wishes.

Q: For the Junkankei Nakayoshi [Circulatory System Friends] Goods, we’ve received a lot of orders from all your fans for 2007 as well. Addressing that subject, please say a few words about it.

Thank you again. How does this always happen? I wish to know your opinions if there are any inconveniences. Please continue to give me your favor...

* about everyday things
Q: Lately, is there something you’ve been devoting yourself to in your everyday life?

I have been devoting myself to something. That is to say, I have been devoting myself to devotion in something. At any rate, I seem to be glued to my computer nowadays.

Q: Have you seen any good movies or plays recently?

I saw Katagiri Jin-san and Kitarou-san (in the play “Dorobou Yakusha [Thief Actor]” –Ringohan ed.), I saw LaSalle Ishii-san and Toda Keiko-san. I’ve been going to the theater a lot. I also saw Taniyama Hiroko-san. All were wonderful.

Please give any messages you may have for other female performers out there nowadays.

I’m putting forth my support for Mineko Saitou, a dancer in the Shigehiro Ide-san organization Idevian Crew. Miss Mineko, your name suits you well [Mineko = sweet-voiced child –trans.]. You are a very beautiful person.

Q: Are there any topics in the comic genre you’ve been thinking about?

Nishida Masafumi-san, who worked on and directed “Dorobou Yakusha [Thief Actor],” really displayed his comical spirit there. That was a work in which he utilized Katakiri-san’s charm to the utmost while not depriving him of his dignity.

Q: Right now you have a supply of sweets which you keep munching on. They look like they taste quite good, what exactly are they?

(shares some) It’s leftover fried bean curd from making tofu made by “Tofu Studio, Ishikawa.” It’s my number-one favorite sweet. I had my first taste of this maker from Jihen’s manager Ms. R.

* about her work activity
Q: Nowadays, I’ve heard you’ve really been immersing yourself in your work activities, but what is really going on?

Because a friend asked me, I’ll show my woman’s heart and confess that I’m focusing on making new songs. I’m drowned in words and music again, destroying myself.

Q: Now, please give a few words full of hope to all of the members.

They say if bad things keep happening, then that will be a signal for you to await nothing but good things to come. I wonder if it’s true, I don’t know but I believe in it now. Good luck.

[Interview Postscript]
Oh my, this time we’re as full as a harvest festival befitting fall. Ms. Ringo’s replies about her current status were generally very generous – regarding her warm comments about Circulatory System sales, the plays shaking up her senses, her favorite sweets, and all the way up to what she’s really working on. We are able to spur on our dreams. They say fall has long nights, but I wonder if every night they’re not getting shorter.

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From original Japanese email sent out to members of the official Ringohan fan club.
Translation © Sarah/Frecklegirl 2006-onward