Arashi no Waku Waku Gakkou 28Jun2015 10am - SG Live Streaming Fan Report ❤
First of all, BIG thanks to untestsubject@tumblr for your love and making the viewing of the live streaming possible, HONTOU NI ARIGATOU ^0^)<3
My first live show (ever!), first grader in Arashi no Waku Waku Gakkou (duh!), no notes taken (not going to risk missing the dorky happenings, lol), and my first fan(-girling) report. I have read a few fan reports done by others for WWG2015 on different dates and venues, and did cross-referencing on points which I didn't managed to "get" during the live streaming. Also, there’s be no dialogue per se in my report as I only managed to roughly gauge the live conversations - passed the N5 papers like 4 years ago and learning was put on hold because real-life happenings. The only time I make use of what I have learnt, well, when watching Japanese variety shows and J-dorama *chuckles*. Nevertheless, I must say that they did a good job in having subtitles for the VTR parts for WWG, at least us foreign audiences will not be totally lost *clap clap*.
@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-
The topic this year was the "Lessons about four seasons in Japan" and it is basically about Japanese cultures throughout the four seasons. The show started off with VTR on Japanese doll making and, yes, same as opensoulx@LJ, I think what makes an impression in the VTR is basically what the doll-maker said: "I know it is complete when the doll tells me so". Wua~ kowai~
Lucky we didn't have to linger there for too long, whew! Then the VTR showed how Arashi members is called upon for WWG, changed into sensei’s white lab coat, put on the 嵐學 emblem (like a school badge) and teleported away:-
- First, with Ohno pulling the trishaw, called upon via geisha opening up her oil-paper umbrella with the word 嵐學 on it, .
- Sho was doing Japanese flower arrangement, trimming too much excess until I can't bear to see, lol. The “excess" formed the word 嵐學 on the tatami, lol.
- Jun was all cool doing falconry in ninja suit(?). The bird picked up a scroll with 嵐學 on it.
- Nino was playing shogi (Japanese chess). I kind of googled and I think the move he took is basically promoting his piece, flipping over the piece, and the word 嵐學 appeared on it.
- Aiba was cutting HUGE sushi roll handed to him by the sushi master and the word 嵐學 appeared within the sushi.
Basically all 5 of them put on a (dorky) surprised face when they saw the 嵐學 emblem, lol.
Here comes the live appearance of Arashi Sensei in the back stage, 5 in a circle staring down at the camera ^^. Then they proceeded to the entrance into the field while saying for those who has been with them since Year1, this year will be fifth grader in WWG ^^. They came onto the field, waving to the crowd and moved onto the centre stage. The start of the year in Japan, Spring, and well it is school-related thus we had the school entrance ceremony ^^ Arashi Sensei introduced the students (seito in Japanese) joining them on stage this year - Hey! Say! JUMP (kyaa~!!). HSJ 9-nin appeared from the door where Arashi sensei came out from earlier, and lined up side by side. One by one the students were called upon (if I'm not mistaken, in alphabetical order) and dashed towards the centre stage. Yes, dashing to the centre stage as told by Arashi Sensei, exact word "Dash!" ^^. The first few students shouted "Genki desu!" before dashing off to the centre stage. I think Arashi sensei were questioning why the students shouted the same phrase prior dashing to the stage. Well, dorky cute students, lol. I heard some cheering and clapping among the audiences watching the live streaming for the first few HSJ members called upon. Hikaru responded with his broken voice, poor baby. Despite that, his dash is SO SO cute, yes, naturally dorky, lol. Yama-chan was the last to be called, and I can't help but to think "WHY?? The silence in the hall...?". Then again, I myself was only kyaa-ing in my heart with a BIG grin on my face when I see him. Gomen, Yama-chan!
Jun was about to introduce the topic for this year's WWG when Sho just stepped in front of him and stole Jun's line, lol, Sho~ genki ne, lol.
Going through the seasons lesson after lesson, we had our eyes closed (screen was pitch black anyway), listening to sounds representing the change of seasons - the calling of cicadas, the sound of the leaves when the wind blows, the sound of flowing water, the sound of the wind, to name a few; and then audiences are welcomed back with beautiful scenery of each season on screen.
***********
Season: Nino / Spring - Rice Planting
VTR shows how the kanji 米 (rice) is derived from kanji 八八 (= 88), which represents the number of steps in the production of rice - sprouting the seed, to the green house, out to the paddy field, when to water and when to drain and ended with preparing the rice seeds for following year. Half-way through the VTR, Jun and Dai-chan were picked to compete in rice planting session. The rice mascot in the VTR appeared on stage and yes, Nino-koro-sensei was doing voice-acting (again, lol) which the camera actually zoomed in on him several times when supposedly the rice mascot should be the one talking. Love all the teasing on stage, cute and dorky, lol. By that time, Jun and Dai-chan had put on the waterproof pants covering feet for the rice planting competition. Nino teased Dai-chan for being so tensed up and tried to ease the situation between him and Jun, saying Jun is also a student now and to make friend. Dai-chan, after building up his courage, stiffly held out his right hand for friendly handshake with Jun, calling Jun "Matsumoto" (if I'm not wrong), lol. Jun's aura, I must say, is still making Dai-chan feeling all tensed up, lol. Thus the teasing and interrupting each other during the planting competition is well... tensed, lol. Poor thing Dai-chan just can't seem to get over the senpai-kouhai hurdle, so pitiful and yet cute, lol. The rice planting by Jun were too closed to one another - there is this 30cm apart rules emphasised in the VTR. I do think Daiki did a better job, but the horizontal distance between each stalks increases as the planting continues *chuckles*. Nino sensei announced the final result, BOTH are disqualified!! LOL!
Nino sensei quoted "RICE IS THE TREASURE OF JAPAN"
***********
Season: Jun / Summer - Obon (Festival of the Dead) and Bon Odori
VTR shows how the patterns on yukata fabrics were "done" using glue for the spaces to remain white. Then the fabrics are soaked in blue dye, which, upon retrieval and exposure to air, the blue turns indigo. Like, cool~. Thereafter is the process of drying the fabric and getting rid of the glue to reveal the fabric patterns. Jun sensei came on stage wearing yukata, kyaa~!! Somehow I am weak with men wearing yukata, especially when they look so... manly... wearing it *melts*. Plus the sights of the slightly loose front which you think you will get to peek on some skins, kyaa~!! *blushing* Ok ok, this is another recently discovered fetish of mine, influenced by Commander, LOL. So our manly Jun sensei comes on stage in yukata (haa~ ), followed by the rest 4+9, KYAA~!! Nino and Sho make an entrance, and the camera zoomed in onto them. Nino holding both sleeves up high as though striking a pose in kabuki (Japanese dance drama) and Sho posed along, I don't remember exactly how Sho poses though (gomen!) but they look CUTE!! Aiba was with Ohno and they posed for the cameraman too, just that Ohno being Ohno, you would be able to guess how he does it, EXACTLY! Nothing! Lol! This followed by students HSJ in yukata (HAA~ ). Jun sensei briefed us that the different patterns on each yukata have their meanings - strong, flexible, lucky, fortune, and so on. He then picked a few from the team to elaborate further on the yukata patterns. Some patterns are specific for either male or female while there are some which are unisex.
Next, they were seated on bench and Jun sensei proceeded to talk about the festivals during summer. Obon is the welcoming back and appeasing the souls of ancestors. It is believed that spirits return to this world to visit their relatives. There's this decor of Japanese cucumber and eggplant each standing with 4 chopsticks, representing horse and cow respectively, for the spirits to travel between the 2 worlds. The horse is for the spirits to travel quickly to the human world, while the cow is meant for the spirits to travel back slowly to the other world.
This is followed by the matsuri - Bon Odori!! Prior to WWG, I only know it as some kind of festival and I never realised that it's meant for the dead, in conjunction with Obon (Pardon me dear spirits, for being oblivious). Now, our tall handsome drummer Yuto takes charge of the taiko like he did for all previous WWG2015 sessions. As they raised the taiko stand right in the middle of the stage, the lanterns hung up on the four corners of the taiko stands to the 4 corners of the stage. Like wow, it looks like the real thing! <3 Jun briefed the audiences on the dance steps, with Chinen on his left to demonstrate. Well, basically all the 4+9 were demonstrating the dance but camera is closest and more focused on Chinen. The song? Arashi's Happiness <3 So everyone stands in a circle and will be dancing anti-clockwise around the taiko stand. Here's the steps to be done repeatedly:
- Starting off with the right foot, step front, step back, step front-back-front. Follow with the left foot, step front, step back, step front-back-front.
- Then, with your thumb, middle finger and ring finger touching each other (“the fox”), swing both arms anti-clockwise for 2 rounds and “point” out to the upper right side (while doing that, your feet will be stepping forward, right-left-right then skip once using your right foot with you left foot lifted backwards). Do the same again but the opposite direction.
- Subsequently, swing both arms anti-clockwise to you upper right (while right foot step diagonally right towards the front), position the right hand horizontally as though trying to block the sunlight, and your left hand vertically slightly below the right hand as though forming the letter “T”. Do the same but for the opposite direction.
- Lastly, clap-clap, clap (with both feet together, not moving).
Jun sensei quoted "TRADITIONS BRIGHTEN THE SOCIETY, THEY ARE GIFTS FROM THE ANCESTORS"
***********
Season: Ohno / Autumn - ChaDo (Japanese Tea Ceremony)
Here, VTR shows that Ohno sensei went to experience ChaDo, being shown on the proper manners as a guest - how to enter the room, proceed to spot on tatami where he'll be served tea, how to turn the teacup, finish off the tea, express thanks to the host, and so on. The VTR ended with Ohno sensei requesting and getting a lesson from the host so that he can present ChaDo during WWG. We get to see his poker face which looks like he’s trying hard to come up with a double chin while the host is preparing the tea *CHUCKLES*. Ohno is a natural, no effort required, LOL. Tea was served and he did a few final slurps of the tea but it seems like the powdered green tea has settled at the bottom of the teacup, thus making it impossible to clear the teacup, lol. Then, the live demonstration, Yama-chan is the guest this round while the rest in Tokyo Dome and us watching the live streaming were served “air” tea *chuckles*. Ohno’s hand was trembling when pouring water into the tea cup *chuckle*, and later teased by members. However, he managed to salvage by reciting a story which he later conclude his session with, quoting “rather than the formality, one's sincerity is what matters most in the spirit of hospitality” *CHUCKLES*. You win, Ohno, LOL. The hanging scroll written by Ohno and presented this round is 步步是道场. Today, Ohno is well-prepared (lol) and explained that the phrase originated from India and so on. Literally, it means every step is to be taken as though you are in the learning/ training place “dojo”. Everyone include the audiences were asked to make a final slurp of the “air” tea. Somehow, I had this image of dorky Yuto hesitated prior to finishing the "air" tea, lol. Personally, I think Yama-chan did a great job behaving as a guest, like wow, perfect scoring <3
Ohno sensei quoted "RATHER THAN THE FORMALITY, ONE'S SINCERITY IS WHAT MATTERS MOST IN SPIRIT OF HOSPITALITY"
***********
Season: Aiba / Winter - Mochitsuki (Mochi Pounding) and Forgetting Things You Want To Forget
Aiba sensei explained that mochitsuki, rather than a New Year event, actually takes place before the New Year. VTR shows the preparations for mochitsuki, such as soaking the glutinuous rice, grinding into powder, making the dough, and of course followed by the actual pounding of the dough to make it soft and chewy. The mochitsuki experts of a certain shop in the VTR were both present at WWG. If I "catch" it correctly, the experts claimed that their pounding speed is about four times every second. Like, wow, that's really fast!! Among all students whom raises their hands (seriously? o_O? lol), Yuuyan was chosen to pound the dough. He did alright ^^. Then Nino was chosen, and well... Nino-jii-chan started off alright but slowed down A LOT after the first couple pounds, lol. Camera zoomed in on him and he did the mochi pounding with this "I'm pounding hard, you have complaints? Come get me!" kind of look, LOL!! Soon after that, everyone collected their pre-prepared piece of mochi wrapped with crispy(?) seaweed and proceeded back to their individual "classroom" table to savour. Camera zoomed in on a few of them (I can't remember who, gomen!) and sure makes me want to taste some too *swallow saliva* lol.
Bell ringing is said to (help) make you forget the not so good things happened throughout the year thus it's performed before you start the New Year. Kei was assigned to do the bell ringing. As he ran down the staircase towards the bell, Jun(?) called out I-oo (again, lol). I-noo dayo! (again, lol). Aiba sensei then brought in a big transparent box containing letters for thing/event happened during the year that the audiences want to forget. A few students' letter were read and it goes like this:-
- Yuto wanted to forget the incident when he was playing drum during live concert, in such high mood that one of his drumstick flew off and landed near Hikaru *chuckles*. Hikaru admitted (with his broken voice) that he hesitated whether to help pick it up or not. Kei rang the bell.
- Yama-chan wanted to forget how Chii looked at him during the incident when they went to sauna together, his appearance on TV and being recognised by the public in the sauna, LOL. Chii mentioned that Yama-chan was wearing a mask, which is not usual in sauna. I supposed Chii gave Yama-chan a "weirdo" kind of look, LOL. Aiba sensei teased Yama-chan saying that he has confidence with himself. I didn't quite understand why Nino leaned back on the chair with his legs spread wide and one hand covering his face, the camera actually zoomed in on Nino, lol. To me, going to sauna with a towel around your waist (for men) and wearing a mask is still acceptable. Little did I know that there's more to it!! I read a translation by jumping2mydream@tumblr and later the report done by opensoulx@LJ, and finally realised that they went sauna NAKED - no towel around waist!! That's why Aiba sensei teased Yama-chan and Nino posed THAT way!! KYAA~!! Yama-chan!! *dying from nosebleed*... ... ... ... ... Yama-chan wanted to forget the incident and Inoo rang the bell. This again, I realised after the live streaming that Kei actually said "Forget Yamachan's Yamachan!" and rang the bell. Oh my, Yama-chan, how do you expect me to forget then? Not like I want to forget, LOL *nosebleed unstoppable* I'm ok, I think, not to worry, let's proceed...
- Sho wanted to forget about the incident which took place during the 2007 World Volleyball Championship when he accidentally introduced special supporter Hey! Say! JUMP as Hey! Say! 7, LOL! Senpai~!! Yuto was quick to respond and confirmed that it actually happened. While Chii said he was wondering back then whether they should be singing "Seven to my dream" instead of "Jumping to my dream", LOL!! Sho then ask which members are 7's and the 4 youngest members raised their hand. Then Best's introduced themselves too *chuckles*. Kei rang the bell.
Aiba sensei then picked a few audiences' letter from the box and read them. After that, Aiba sensei moved the box to a 4ft high square set-up with Sho's help, and a few others helped with another box of letters containing things the audiences wanted to forget. Letters are "poured" into the set-up. Sho, while helping, noticed a letter which was supposedly funny and read it. Too bad I wasn't able to understand it at all, gomen! Everyone returned to their seats and Aiba sensei stands at the lecture stand podium and asked Ohno to do what he does best. I was wondering what is it and suddenly "FAIA!!" and flame shot up from inside the 4ft high set-up. Our viewpoint was from the left side of Sho and he was seated right next to the set-up *sweat* Poor thing, it seems like Sho was not prepared for it when the flame shoot up and he jumped a bit on his seat. Kei rang the bell, I think 3 times, to conclude the bell ringing session.
Aiba sensei quoted "SMILES BEING BORN THROUGH FORGIVING AND FORGETTING"
***********
Season: Sho / Winter - New Year - Lucky Man Race and Aspiration
I think Chii was the one who mentioned "lucky man", sasuga Ohno's No. 1 fan, LOL, so that's how I will address the event and the lucky man himself, too *chuckles*. VTR showed that one temple has been consistently organizing the yearly lucky man race on the very start of a New Year’s Day. A group of people gathered outside the temple's gate and race to the main hall of the temple upon the opening of the temple's gate. The first to reach the hall is said will have the best of luck throughout the year. The lucky man of the year was summoned onto stage and yes, he does run like a pro. When Sho asked what's the lucky things that has taken place, he said him being invited as guest for WWG ^^ Deshou~! Lol! Lucky man says that he can run up to 100m in about 11seconds (if I remember correctly) then when he was asked by one of the members, he said he should be able to run 50m in 5 seconds. Like, wow~! Sho sensei briefed us on the lucky man run to be taking place there. The first person to reach the finish line - the lucky man, will hug Sho sensei. And the 2nd and 3rd to reach the finish line will hug the vinyl balloon dolls. The group then proceeded to the mock temple gate. Jun got serious, and did proper stretching. Thanks to the cameraman, we were granted the view of Jun's back, WHILE he stretches down towards the front, kyaa~!! The group's tactics to defeat the lucky man this round - Jun, Aiba, Ohno and Nino will take the lead, while HSJ students will form the defence lines in between, lucky man was the furthest from the mock temple gate. The race commenced with Jun and Aiba taking the lead, followed by Ohno and Nino. The defence lines formed by the students didn't really stop the lucky man. He overtook the students, quickly catching up with Ohno and Nino. These two fellows, looked as though they were caught by surprise and tried running harder. However, once lucky man ran pass them, they just basically stroll along the track. If time allows, I bet they'll have a picnic next to the track too, LOL!! Lucky man seemed to keep gaining speed and soon catching up with Jun and Aiba. At this time, it's closed to the finish line on the stage and Aiba was leading. However, one wrong step and lucky man caught up and overtook Aiba, running up the staircase without even slowing down and without doubt, he gets to hug Sho ^^. Aiba came in 2nd and Jun came in 3rd. One of the Japanese entertainment news reported that lucky man said he became famous after WWG because people on the train recognised him after his appearance in WWG, lol, good on you, lucky man!
Next is a VTR on Arashi's secret talk from one of the Concert DVDs - about what they wish to do/make possible. 2 or 3 of the members wanted to have concerts in Okinawa. Sho was hoping to do broadcasting for National Geographic (seriously?), lol. I can't remember the rest, gomen! Arashi asked if HSJ have had concerts in Okinawa but the answer is no. Then Arashi members asked Sho if he still want to do broadcasting for National Geographic, and he said Yes! Sho's cute face when saying that *chuckles*
Then Sho grabbed one of the camera and went towards the students, wanted to pick someone to talk about their aspiration in 10years time. He wasn't holding the camera properly and it kind if swing everywhere, in and out, left and right *faint* lol. Finally, Yabu was picked and he stood up to speak. However, he's kind of tall compared to Sho sensei thus the camera only managed to reach like 3 quarters of his face *chuckles*. Yabu then tried lowering himself. Yabu talked about during one of the location shooting with Yama-chan and Dai-chan where people recognize the duo but not him. In 10 years time, he'd like to be easily recognised by people too. Dai-chan claimed that he used face the same issue too when going out with Yama-chan and that people only recognize Yama-chan. I remember they talk slightly about Kindaichi and Dai-chan told Sho sensei that he's the one with curly hair holding the camera *chuckles* Now because of Hirunandesu too that his popularity increases but still not many people know he is part of HSJ. Yuto added-on by saying how people tend to recognised HSJ as a group but do not really know the members individually. Sho then ask how old is Yabu and Yabu replied 25yo. So in 10 years time, Sho sensei turned the camera towards Ohno who seemed to be caught by surprise and tried comforting(?) Yabu by saying that he wasn't as popular 10 years ago as he is now, aww~.
Sho sensei quoted "A YEAR'S PLAN IS SET ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. A MONTH'S PLAN IS SET ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH. A DAY'S PLAN IS SET WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWS"
***********
WWG2015 28Jun2015 10am session was coming to an end. Yama-chan represented the students and say the closing speech, and lead the students to thank Arashi sensei. They sang Arashi’s Furusato together - we at the live streaming did too *smile*. Arashi sensei and HSJ seito walked down from the stage and board the 4 moving platforms to tour around the Dome, waving to the crowd. Finally the moving platforms lined-up side-by-side and the safety gate were removed to connect the platforms into 1. Each members took turn to speak and thank the crowd - Hikaru with his broken voice still *grin*, and Keito’s closing speech in English. After which they got off the platform and proceeded towards the exit. Sho was the last to leave the field.
@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-
CONCLUSION:
- It was truly a GREAT experience, I really enjoyed it!! Even though I don't understand the live talks entirely, everyone was super dorky cute! LOL!
- Yama-chan doing his best to keep a low profile, no "Switch ON" per se *grin*, just... normal boy... idol *wink*, LOL. He knows his stand, great job baby, muaks!
- Hikaru was trying to do his best throughout the show. From the other reports that I've read, seems like he interacted more in the 28Jun15 morning session compared to the session on 27Jun15. Yet, I noticed the tiredness. Poor baby~ Yabu was always there when he needs a "speaker" to help speak out loud ^^. Good thing I've read is that he's already better by the next session on the same day ^^
- Yuto's hair... I love it! Kakkoii!! Yuto being Yuto, cool yet dorky as ever, lol.
- Keito always refer to SG live streaming and speaks English, for our sake <3 It'd be great if it's 2 ways streaming, at least we can return the favor - waving, clapping, cheering, kyaa-ing *chuckles*
Hope you enjoyed my fan(-girling) report. Thanks a lot for reading ^3^)<3
My first live show (ever!), first grader in Arashi no Waku Waku Gakkou (duh!), no notes taken (not going to risk missing the dorky happenings, lol), and my first fan(-girling) report. I have read a few fan reports done by others for WWG2015 on different dates and venues, and did cross-referencing on points which I didn't managed to "get" during the live streaming. Also, there’s be no dialogue per se in my report as I only managed to roughly gauge the live conversations - passed the N5 papers like 4 years ago and learning was put on hold because real-life happenings. The only time I make use of what I have learnt, well, when watching Japanese variety shows and J-dorama *chuckles*. Nevertheless, I must say that they did a good job in having subtitles for the VTR parts for WWG, at least us foreign audiences will not be totally lost *clap clap*.
@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-
The topic this year was the "Lessons about four seasons in Japan" and it is basically about Japanese cultures throughout the four seasons. The show started off with VTR on Japanese doll making and, yes, same as opensoulx@LJ, I think what makes an impression in the VTR is basically what the doll-maker said: "I know it is complete when the doll tells me so". Wua~ kowai~
Lucky we didn't have to linger there for too long, whew! Then the VTR showed how Arashi members is called upon for WWG, changed into sensei’s white lab coat, put on the 嵐學 emblem (like a school badge) and teleported away:-
- First, with Ohno pulling the trishaw, called upon via geisha opening up her oil-paper umbrella with the word 嵐學 on it, .
- Sho was doing Japanese flower arrangement, trimming too much excess until I can't bear to see, lol. The “excess" formed the word 嵐學 on the tatami, lol.
- Jun was all cool doing falconry in ninja suit(?). The bird picked up a scroll with 嵐學 on it.
- Nino was playing shogi (Japanese chess). I kind of googled and I think the move he took is basically promoting his piece, flipping over the piece, and the word 嵐學 appeared on it.
- Aiba was cutting HUGE sushi roll handed to him by the sushi master and the word 嵐學 appeared within the sushi.
Basically all 5 of them put on a (dorky) surprised face when they saw the 嵐學 emblem, lol.
Here comes the live appearance of Arashi Sensei in the back stage, 5 in a circle staring down at the camera ^^. Then they proceeded to the entrance into the field while saying for those who has been with them since Year1, this year will be fifth grader in WWG ^^. They came onto the field, waving to the crowd and moved onto the centre stage. The start of the year in Japan, Spring, and well it is school-related thus we had the school entrance ceremony ^^ Arashi Sensei introduced the students (seito in Japanese) joining them on stage this year - Hey! Say! JUMP (kyaa~!!). HSJ 9-nin appeared from the door where Arashi sensei came out from earlier, and lined up side by side. One by one the students were called upon (if I'm not mistaken, in alphabetical order) and dashed towards the centre stage. Yes, dashing to the centre stage as told by Arashi Sensei, exact word "Dash!" ^^. The first few students shouted "Genki desu!" before dashing off to the centre stage. I think Arashi sensei were questioning why the students shouted the same phrase prior dashing to the stage. Well, dorky cute students, lol. I heard some cheering and clapping among the audiences watching the live streaming for the first few HSJ members called upon. Hikaru responded with his broken voice, poor baby. Despite that, his dash is SO SO cute, yes, naturally dorky, lol. Yama-chan was the last to be called, and I can't help but to think "WHY?? The silence in the hall...?". Then again, I myself was only kyaa-ing in my heart with a BIG grin on my face when I see him. Gomen, Yama-chan!
Jun was about to introduce the topic for this year's WWG when Sho just stepped in front of him and stole Jun's line, lol, Sho~ genki ne, lol.
Going through the seasons lesson after lesson, we had our eyes closed (screen was pitch black anyway), listening to sounds representing the change of seasons - the calling of cicadas, the sound of the leaves when the wind blows, the sound of flowing water, the sound of the wind, to name a few; and then audiences are welcomed back with beautiful scenery of each season on screen.
***********
Season: Nino / Spring - Rice Planting
VTR shows how the kanji 米 (rice) is derived from kanji 八八 (= 88), which represents the number of steps in the production of rice - sprouting the seed, to the green house, out to the paddy field, when to water and when to drain and ended with preparing the rice seeds for following year. Half-way through the VTR, Jun and Dai-chan were picked to compete in rice planting session. The rice mascot in the VTR appeared on stage and yes, Nino-koro-sensei was doing voice-acting (again, lol) which the camera actually zoomed in on him several times when supposedly the rice mascot should be the one talking. Love all the teasing on stage, cute and dorky, lol. By that time, Jun and Dai-chan had put on the waterproof pants covering feet for the rice planting competition. Nino teased Dai-chan for being so tensed up and tried to ease the situation between him and Jun, saying Jun is also a student now and to make friend. Dai-chan, after building up his courage, stiffly held out his right hand for friendly handshake with Jun, calling Jun "Matsumoto" (if I'm not wrong), lol. Jun's aura, I must say, is still making Dai-chan feeling all tensed up, lol. Thus the teasing and interrupting each other during the planting competition is well... tensed, lol. Poor thing Dai-chan just can't seem to get over the senpai-kouhai hurdle, so pitiful and yet cute, lol. The rice planting by Jun were too closed to one another - there is this 30cm apart rules emphasised in the VTR. I do think Daiki did a better job, but the horizontal distance between each stalks increases as the planting continues *chuckles*. Nino sensei announced the final result, BOTH are disqualified!! LOL!
Nino sensei quoted "RICE IS THE TREASURE OF JAPAN"
***********
Season: Jun / Summer - Obon (Festival of the Dead) and Bon Odori
VTR shows how the patterns on yukata fabrics were "done" using glue for the spaces to remain white. Then the fabrics are soaked in blue dye, which, upon retrieval and exposure to air, the blue turns indigo. Like, cool~. Thereafter is the process of drying the fabric and getting rid of the glue to reveal the fabric patterns. Jun sensei came on stage wearing yukata, kyaa~!! Somehow I am weak with men wearing yukata, especially when they look so... manly... wearing it *melts*. Plus the sights of the slightly loose front which you think you will get to peek on some skins, kyaa~!! *blushing* Ok ok, this is another recently discovered fetish of mine, influenced by Commander, LOL. So our manly Jun sensei comes on stage in yukata (haa~ ), followed by the rest 4+9, KYAA~!! Nino and Sho make an entrance, and the camera zoomed in onto them. Nino holding both sleeves up high as though striking a pose in kabuki (Japanese dance drama) and Sho posed along, I don't remember exactly how Sho poses though (gomen!) but they look CUTE!! Aiba was with Ohno and they posed for the cameraman too, just that Ohno being Ohno, you would be able to guess how he does it, EXACTLY! Nothing! Lol! This followed by students HSJ in yukata (HAA~ ). Jun sensei briefed us that the different patterns on each yukata have their meanings - strong, flexible, lucky, fortune, and so on. He then picked a few from the team to elaborate further on the yukata patterns. Some patterns are specific for either male or female while there are some which are unisex.
Next, they were seated on bench and Jun sensei proceeded to talk about the festivals during summer. Obon is the welcoming back and appeasing the souls of ancestors. It is believed that spirits return to this world to visit their relatives. There's this decor of Japanese cucumber and eggplant each standing with 4 chopsticks, representing horse and cow respectively, for the spirits to travel between the 2 worlds. The horse is for the spirits to travel quickly to the human world, while the cow is meant for the spirits to travel back slowly to the other world.
This is followed by the matsuri - Bon Odori!! Prior to WWG, I only know it as some kind of festival and I never realised that it's meant for the dead, in conjunction with Obon (Pardon me dear spirits, for being oblivious). Now, our tall handsome drummer Yuto takes charge of the taiko like he did for all previous WWG2015 sessions. As they raised the taiko stand right in the middle of the stage, the lanterns hung up on the four corners of the taiko stands to the 4 corners of the stage. Like wow, it looks like the real thing! <3 Jun briefed the audiences on the dance steps, with Chinen on his left to demonstrate. Well, basically all the 4+9 were demonstrating the dance but camera is closest and more focused on Chinen. The song? Arashi's Happiness <3 So everyone stands in a circle and will be dancing anti-clockwise around the taiko stand. Here's the steps to be done repeatedly:
- Starting off with the right foot, step front, step back, step front-back-front. Follow with the left foot, step front, step back, step front-back-front.
- Then, with your thumb, middle finger and ring finger touching each other (“the fox”), swing both arms anti-clockwise for 2 rounds and “point” out to the upper right side (while doing that, your feet will be stepping forward, right-left-right then skip once using your right foot with you left foot lifted backwards). Do the same again but the opposite direction.
- Subsequently, swing both arms anti-clockwise to you upper right (while right foot step diagonally right towards the front), position the right hand horizontally as though trying to block the sunlight, and your left hand vertically slightly below the right hand as though forming the letter “T”. Do the same but for the opposite direction.
- Lastly, clap-clap, clap (with both feet together, not moving).
Jun sensei quoted "TRADITIONS BRIGHTEN THE SOCIETY, THEY ARE GIFTS FROM THE ANCESTORS"
***********
Season: Ohno / Autumn - ChaDo (Japanese Tea Ceremony)
Here, VTR shows that Ohno sensei went to experience ChaDo, being shown on the proper manners as a guest - how to enter the room, proceed to spot on tatami where he'll be served tea, how to turn the teacup, finish off the tea, express thanks to the host, and so on. The VTR ended with Ohno sensei requesting and getting a lesson from the host so that he can present ChaDo during WWG. We get to see his poker face which looks like he’s trying hard to come up with a double chin while the host is preparing the tea *CHUCKLES*. Ohno is a natural, no effort required, LOL. Tea was served and he did a few final slurps of the tea but it seems like the powdered green tea has settled at the bottom of the teacup, thus making it impossible to clear the teacup, lol. Then, the live demonstration, Yama-chan is the guest this round while the rest in Tokyo Dome and us watching the live streaming were served “air” tea *chuckles*. Ohno’s hand was trembling when pouring water into the tea cup *chuckle*, and later teased by members. However, he managed to salvage by reciting a story which he later conclude his session with, quoting “rather than the formality, one's sincerity is what matters most in the spirit of hospitality” *CHUCKLES*. You win, Ohno, LOL. The hanging scroll written by Ohno and presented this round is 步步是道场. Today, Ohno is well-prepared (lol) and explained that the phrase originated from India and so on. Literally, it means every step is to be taken as though you are in the learning/ training place “dojo”. Everyone include the audiences were asked to make a final slurp of the “air” tea. Somehow, I had this image of dorky Yuto hesitated prior to finishing the "air" tea, lol. Personally, I think Yama-chan did a great job behaving as a guest, like wow, perfect scoring <3
Ohno sensei quoted "RATHER THAN THE FORMALITY, ONE'S SINCERITY IS WHAT MATTERS MOST IN SPIRIT OF HOSPITALITY"
***********
Season: Aiba / Winter - Mochitsuki (Mochi Pounding) and Forgetting Things You Want To Forget
Aiba sensei explained that mochitsuki, rather than a New Year event, actually takes place before the New Year. VTR shows the preparations for mochitsuki, such as soaking the glutinuous rice, grinding into powder, making the dough, and of course followed by the actual pounding of the dough to make it soft and chewy. The mochitsuki experts of a certain shop in the VTR were both present at WWG. If I "catch" it correctly, the experts claimed that their pounding speed is about four times every second. Like, wow, that's really fast!! Among all students whom raises their hands (seriously? o_O? lol), Yuuyan was chosen to pound the dough. He did alright ^^. Then Nino was chosen, and well... Nino-jii-chan started off alright but slowed down A LOT after the first couple pounds, lol. Camera zoomed in on him and he did the mochi pounding with this "I'm pounding hard, you have complaints? Come get me!" kind of look, LOL!! Soon after that, everyone collected their pre-prepared piece of mochi wrapped with crispy(?) seaweed and proceeded back to their individual "classroom" table to savour. Camera zoomed in on a few of them (I can't remember who, gomen!) and sure makes me want to taste some too *swallow saliva* lol.
Bell ringing is said to (help) make you forget the not so good things happened throughout the year thus it's performed before you start the New Year. Kei was assigned to do the bell ringing. As he ran down the staircase towards the bell, Jun(?) called out I-oo (again, lol). I-noo dayo! (again, lol). Aiba sensei then brought in a big transparent box containing letters for thing/event happened during the year that the audiences want to forget. A few students' letter were read and it goes like this:-
- Yuto wanted to forget the incident when he was playing drum during live concert, in such high mood that one of his drumstick flew off and landed near Hikaru *chuckles*. Hikaru admitted (with his broken voice) that he hesitated whether to help pick it up or not. Kei rang the bell.
- Yama-chan wanted to forget how Chii looked at him during the incident when they went to sauna together, his appearance on TV and being recognised by the public in the sauna, LOL. Chii mentioned that Yama-chan was wearing a mask, which is not usual in sauna. I supposed Chii gave Yama-chan a "weirdo" kind of look, LOL. Aiba sensei teased Yama-chan saying that he has confidence with himself. I didn't quite understand why Nino leaned back on the chair with his legs spread wide and one hand covering his face, the camera actually zoomed in on Nino, lol. To me, going to sauna with a towel around your waist (for men) and wearing a mask is still acceptable. Little did I know that there's more to it!! I read a translation by jumping2mydream@tumblr and later the report done by opensoulx@LJ, and finally realised that they went sauna NAKED - no towel around waist!! That's why Aiba sensei teased Yama-chan and Nino posed THAT way!! KYAA~!! Yama-chan!! *dying from nosebleed*... ... ... ... ... Yama-chan wanted to forget the incident and Inoo rang the bell. This again, I realised after the live streaming that Kei actually said "Forget Yamachan's Yamachan!" and rang the bell. Oh my, Yama-chan, how do you expect me to forget then? Not like I want to forget, LOL *nosebleed unstoppable* I'm ok, I think, not to worry, let's proceed...
- Sho wanted to forget about the incident which took place during the 2007 World Volleyball Championship when he accidentally introduced special supporter Hey! Say! JUMP as Hey! Say! 7, LOL! Senpai~!! Yuto was quick to respond and confirmed that it actually happened. While Chii said he was wondering back then whether they should be singing "Seven to my dream" instead of "Jumping to my dream", LOL!! Sho then ask which members are 7's and the 4 youngest members raised their hand. Then Best's introduced themselves too *chuckles*. Kei rang the bell.
Aiba sensei then picked a few audiences' letter from the box and read them. After that, Aiba sensei moved the box to a 4ft high square set-up with Sho's help, and a few others helped with another box of letters containing things the audiences wanted to forget. Letters are "poured" into the set-up. Sho, while helping, noticed a letter which was supposedly funny and read it. Too bad I wasn't able to understand it at all, gomen! Everyone returned to their seats and Aiba sensei stands at the lecture stand podium and asked Ohno to do what he does best. I was wondering what is it and suddenly "FAIA!!" and flame shot up from inside the 4ft high set-up. Our viewpoint was from the left side of Sho and he was seated right next to the set-up *sweat* Poor thing, it seems like Sho was not prepared for it when the flame shoot up and he jumped a bit on his seat. Kei rang the bell, I think 3 times, to conclude the bell ringing session.
Aiba sensei quoted "SMILES BEING BORN THROUGH FORGIVING AND FORGETTING"
***********
Season: Sho / Winter - New Year - Lucky Man Race and Aspiration
I think Chii was the one who mentioned "lucky man", sasuga Ohno's No. 1 fan, LOL, so that's how I will address the event and the lucky man himself, too *chuckles*. VTR showed that one temple has been consistently organizing the yearly lucky man race on the very start of a New Year’s Day. A group of people gathered outside the temple's gate and race to the main hall of the temple upon the opening of the temple's gate. The first to reach the hall is said will have the best of luck throughout the year. The lucky man of the year was summoned onto stage and yes, he does run like a pro. When Sho asked what's the lucky things that has taken place, he said him being invited as guest for WWG ^^ Deshou~! Lol! Lucky man says that he can run up to 100m in about 11seconds (if I remember correctly) then when he was asked by one of the members, he said he should be able to run 50m in 5 seconds. Like, wow~! Sho sensei briefed us on the lucky man run to be taking place there. The first person to reach the finish line - the lucky man, will hug Sho sensei. And the 2nd and 3rd to reach the finish line will hug the vinyl balloon dolls. The group then proceeded to the mock temple gate. Jun got serious, and did proper stretching. Thanks to the cameraman, we were granted the view of Jun's back, WHILE he stretches down towards the front, kyaa~!! The group's tactics to defeat the lucky man this round - Jun, Aiba, Ohno and Nino will take the lead, while HSJ students will form the defence lines in between, lucky man was the furthest from the mock temple gate. The race commenced with Jun and Aiba taking the lead, followed by Ohno and Nino. The defence lines formed by the students didn't really stop the lucky man. He overtook the students, quickly catching up with Ohno and Nino. These two fellows, looked as though they were caught by surprise and tried running harder. However, once lucky man ran pass them, they just basically stroll along the track. If time allows, I bet they'll have a picnic next to the track too, LOL!! Lucky man seemed to keep gaining speed and soon catching up with Jun and Aiba. At this time, it's closed to the finish line on the stage and Aiba was leading. However, one wrong step and lucky man caught up and overtook Aiba, running up the staircase without even slowing down and without doubt, he gets to hug Sho ^^. Aiba came in 2nd and Jun came in 3rd. One of the Japanese entertainment news reported that lucky man said he became famous after WWG because people on the train recognised him after his appearance in WWG, lol, good on you, lucky man!
Next is a VTR on Arashi's secret talk from one of the Concert DVDs - about what they wish to do/make possible. 2 or 3 of the members wanted to have concerts in Okinawa. Sho was hoping to do broadcasting for National Geographic (seriously?), lol. I can't remember the rest, gomen! Arashi asked if HSJ have had concerts in Okinawa but the answer is no. Then Arashi members asked Sho if he still want to do broadcasting for National Geographic, and he said Yes! Sho's cute face when saying that *chuckles*
Then Sho grabbed one of the camera and went towards the students, wanted to pick someone to talk about their aspiration in 10years time. He wasn't holding the camera properly and it kind if swing everywhere, in and out, left and right *faint* lol. Finally, Yabu was picked and he stood up to speak. However, he's kind of tall compared to Sho sensei thus the camera only managed to reach like 3 quarters of his face *chuckles*. Yabu then tried lowering himself. Yabu talked about during one of the location shooting with Yama-chan and Dai-chan where people recognize the duo but not him. In 10 years time, he'd like to be easily recognised by people too. Dai-chan claimed that he used face the same issue too when going out with Yama-chan and that people only recognize Yama-chan. I remember they talk slightly about Kindaichi and Dai-chan told Sho sensei that he's the one with curly hair holding the camera *chuckles* Now because of Hirunandesu too that his popularity increases but still not many people know he is part of HSJ. Yuto added-on by saying how people tend to recognised HSJ as a group but do not really know the members individually. Sho then ask how old is Yabu and Yabu replied 25yo. So in 10 years time, Sho sensei turned the camera towards Ohno who seemed to be caught by surprise and tried comforting(?) Yabu by saying that he wasn't as popular 10 years ago as he is now, aww~.
Sho sensei quoted "A YEAR'S PLAN IS SET ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. A MONTH'S PLAN IS SET ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH. A DAY'S PLAN IS SET WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWS"
***********
WWG2015 28Jun2015 10am session was coming to an end. Yama-chan represented the students and say the closing speech, and lead the students to thank Arashi sensei. They sang Arashi’s Furusato together - we at the live streaming did too *smile*. Arashi sensei and HSJ seito walked down from the stage and board the 4 moving platforms to tour around the Dome, waving to the crowd. Finally the moving platforms lined-up side-by-side and the safety gate were removed to connect the platforms into 1. Each members took turn to speak and thank the crowd - Hikaru with his broken voice still *grin*, and Keito’s closing speech in English. After which they got off the platform and proceeded towards the exit. Sho was the last to leave the field.
@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-@->-
CONCLUSION:
- It was truly a GREAT experience, I really enjoyed it!! Even though I don't understand the live talks entirely, everyone was super dorky cute! LOL!
- Yama-chan doing his best to keep a low profile, no "Switch ON" per se *grin*, just... normal boy... idol *wink*, LOL. He knows his stand, great job baby, muaks!
- Hikaru was trying to do his best throughout the show. From the other reports that I've read, seems like he interacted more in the 28Jun15 morning session compared to the session on 27Jun15. Yet, I noticed the tiredness. Poor baby~ Yabu was always there when he needs a "speaker" to help speak out loud ^^. Good thing I've read is that he's already better by the next session on the same day ^^
- Yuto's hair... I love it! Kakkoii!! Yuto being Yuto, cool yet dorky as ever, lol.
- Keito always refer to SG live streaming and speaks English, for our sake <3 It'd be great if it's 2 ways streaming, at least we can return the favor - waving, clapping, cheering, kyaa-ing *chuckles*
Hope you enjoyed my fan(-girling) report. Thanks a lot for reading ^3^)<3