Lips Magazine, October 2011 - Mr. Lips: Sakurai Sho
Last time I translated an article for Japanese class, I forgot to post the translations for the world to enjoy.
My impressions:
It's a pretty standard interview. Like, nothing's really that new, and nothing's out of character, but there were a few lines that interested me. Like, that he doesn't plan on going to Europe for leisure until he's married, so there's no point in hoping to run into him when on vacation there. (^_^;)> Though it made me realise that I should have that mindset too--to go to interesting but dangerous places when I'm single so that I can go to those nice, vacation spots with my family when I'm married. But... Sho is different than me and he can find people to guide him well in those places without being in dangerous situations. But I'm afraid of going to those kind of places because I actually am alone.
And it's just interesting to hear him say in words that he doesn't want a stay-at-home wife. It's reassuring to me because there definitely are those guys that want a trophy wife--though in the end, Sho's wife will be surely pretty and elegant and respectable enough to be a trophy wife.
Also, hearing about his thoughts on traveling overseas and wanting to travel a lot, etc. He always says this stuff. But I have wanderlust right now (a.k.a. the lust to wander, i.e. wanting to travel), so even though Sho and I would not be compatible together whatsoever--because I have seriously no knowledge about the world or news or politics or history, and have no interest for that, and I don't care about rap or exploring different kinds of music like he does--that one small paragraph made me think, "Damn. I kinda really wanna marry Sho right now." Though I really just want to travel with him. I just really want to travel and want someone to travel with me.
- x -
Scan credit to saobang2211
Lips Magazine, October 2011
Mr. Lips: Sakurai Sho - "Move Myself"
At this time’s photo shoot, Sakurai-san’s own private watch made an appearance. It is an exquisite accent for a simple style.
“I like watches. I’m not a collector, but I buy them as a ‘reward’ for myself. For example… like when I graduated college, or when I began appearing in NEWS ZERO. Turning points like that. I don’t buy them for such a simple reason as, ‘I want it.’ Not even if it’s a price I could easily afford. So, it’s not like this is the one I like the most, but all of my memories are in it. Rather than each one having a memory, they have a story. I can think back on the me from when I brought it.”
This time he showed us one of those watches with deep memories.
“Ah. I didn’t buy this myself. I received it from someone I know as a birthday present. It was a model I really wanted. Even though it’s not like I said it out loud, I wonder why he knew. I was really happy.”
He said that, and then looked at the watch on his arm endearingly.
Sakurai-san is starring in the movie “Kami-sama no Karute,” being released in theaters. He gives a good performance in the role of a doctor that loves Natsume Souseki more than anything. The scenes with his wife Haru, played by Miyazaki Aoi-san, are also charming. The couple’s conversations are always in honorifics.
“This is the first time for me to have such a genuine married couple role. Both of them have a job, and even have independence; they respect each other, support each other, help each other. It’s really a wonderful portrayal of a married couple. But… That’d be impossible for me.”
“Haru-san is really a wonderful person. Whether it’s the motherliness that females have, broadmindedness, the things on her plate aren’t half-hearted. Without exchanging many words, it feels like they can understand each other. It’s really wonderful. But, shall I say, for the me at the moment, that’s a heavy load… I just feel like it’d be such a waste on me…”
A quite humble answer. Then, what is Sakurai-san’s ideal female and image of a married couple?
“It’s just-though Haru-san was like this too-in the end, just having a job and being an independent woman-that would be most appealing. My mother had worked too. I can’t imagine my wife always being in the house and making and bringing me meals. And also, in terms of cooking… I can’t do it at all, so in respect to women, I very well can’t say to become good at cooking, can I (laughs).”
Humble as expected. Though if Sakurai-san told me to, I think I would happily exert the effort (to become good at cooking).
“No, no (laughs). Though if you became good (at cooking) for me, I’d be happy… But, to go as far as marriage just because of being able to cook, that’s definitely not feasible.”
We’re able to take just a little peak at his true intentions… Then, what are the conditions that he looks for in a female?
“No, like I said, I’m not looking for any conditions! (laughs)”
We then asked about his current age.
“Since a long time ago, there has been the thought that ‘men start at their 30s,’ so there’s a great happiness of finally arriving. There’s absolutely no feeling of disgust. To keep adding on the years is really a fun thing.”
For the “adult women” in the same generation that read Lips, what are your impressions?
“I have a lot of friends from my student era, so the people around me are all in the same generation. The women are of course adults. Sometimes my friends from my student era gather at my house, but in that time, my friends’ girlfriends and stuff come with them. And then a lot of the guys get drunk, they take each others’ clothes off and stuff, commence in doing dropkicks and stuff, a bunch of nonsense (laughs). To that, the girls say looking surprised, “They haven’t changed since elementary school” (laughs). It really made me think that men will always be kids.”
What about a female with a forever boyish figure that gets tickled with maternal instincts?
“It’s just barely, isn’t it (laughs). It’s just barely out (no good). On that point, even if they’re really an adult, an ‘adult girl’ with a few loose points is most appealing. To be called an ‘adult boy,’ isn’t it painful (laughs)?”
Putting “adult boy” aside, before turning 30, what do you think you’ve grown in confidence in, and conversely, what do you think you are lacking in?
“I’m lacking in studies. In NEWS ZERO, I’ve been allowed to take things from our meetings, but my knowledge is overwhelmingly little. Though it’s obvious, I don’t reach Murao (Nobutaka)’s heels. I also can’t follow him all my life, and I probably wouldn’t be able to be satisfied with it anyways. Where I’ve grown… I wouldn’t realize it myself. But when just speaking about information, the things that occur beyond the TV, I’ve gotten to thinking that they are not just on the other side, but like they are things around me.”
Is that actually due to you stepping foot on the disaster area?
“That’s right. In the end, I don’t think I realized it by just watching the footage that was sent to the studio. Standing on and seeing the disaster area for the first time, it felt like reality sunk in. That’s why, not just for disasters like this time, but I want to try to go to more places, meet more people, and pile up more experiences. Not just written information or stories I’ve heard from people, but I have to experience it myself. I’m starting to strongly believe that this will become my blood and bones.”
It seems that this activeness is also being displayed in his private life.
“I love traveling overseas, so if I’m able to have a small break, I’ll go immediately. I’ll call the travel agency that is taking care of me, and say that I want to go to India the day after tomorrow. That would give them a surprise (laughs).”
Sakurai-san has been to numerous countries, but what is his favorite place?
“India is interesting. The places I want to go to are Cuba and Hong Kong. More than it being chaos, I’m attracted to places that mix things up. Of course, Europe’s pretty streets are charming too, but it’s not like I have to go there now. It’s somewhere I would take my wife once I get married.”
And here he seems to be slowly remembering something.
“About the previous ideal female, a girl that would travel with me is good! I’ll make the schedule. When I invite her, if she makes a face at that makes it seem too troublesome, I think I’ll seriously be depressed (laughs). If we could plan this and that together, it would be nice. Yeah, my ideal female is someone that I can have fun with overseas.”
Sakurai-san had suddenly gotten excited.
“Right now, I’m having fun taking trips as just two men with my friends from when I was in school. Though I’m told that trips with me are hard (laughs).”
When with a female, whether it’d be good to have a relaxing schedule or not is the question.