Grazia - October 2010
Being upset recently with the various images Okada is made to take with the vast use of internet, I translated an article that affected me alot while I was reading. His thoughts are deep (and lengthy) and as a person, I applaud him for giving so much thoughts about things and his goals.
Hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did. Article is from Grazia, no scanlations as it is from the last 2 pages of wordy text. Though I had the mag, I still thank inocchi_ry for her scans which makes reading easier while translating. And no I was too tired to check for grammar and spelling mistakes ^^;;
"In this 2 years, my basis of happiness changed. Happiness to me now... is probably being able to create "good" places."
In the past, I was a person who puts just myself first.
In the mysterious country where old streets line the city, where vast forest spans and where the finest IT inventions coexisted together, there was one thing Okasa-san was sure to ask every single person he met. - What is "happiness" to you? And at the same time, he too questions himself about this.
[In this 2 years, for me the basis of happiness has underwent a tremendous change. Before that, there was a change once, way back when I was 24. In my early 20s, whatever I do, I try to put myself as top pirority. I was obessed with how I want to do things or what kind of person I want to be. If someone talked to me while I was reading my script, I would retort with a scowl as if saying "You're in my way"; being irritated with the gap between the reality and the ideal person I want to be, and venting my anger at various things. I was a difficult person (laughs). Gradually the basis changed from "myself" to for the sake of my work and for the sake of my friends.]
When Okada-san was 24, he was starting to be recognised for his acting in his drama, "Tiger and Dragon" and movies, "Tokyo Tower" & "Fly Daddy Fly".
[To put things bluntly, there was a point in time that I continued in this line just because I want to get comments and feedback. But things changed when I started thinking that I should not just continue in this line for the sake of the comments. And subsequently I started to have vague ideas of what can I do, not just anyone else but when I put forth my name, what are my creations? This kind of thoughts escalated when I was around 27, from the region scale to the society scale and expanding to the extent of a country's scale. No matter what I was casted for, I start to explore the thought of "what is it that the entertainment in Japan needs?" And then, with the thoughts of "there isn't any full scale action shows in Japan!", the project for "SP - Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Security Bureau 4th District Security Division" is born.]
Okada-san is known for having a close circle of artist friends in various fields. From young architects to cameramen to stylists, artists and many more. According to Okada-san, when he was also put in charge of the radio program, "Growing Reed" as the navigator 5 years back, he spoke with and got to meet many professionals who affected him greatly such as manga artist - Inoue Takehiko-san; novelist - Miyabe Miyuki-san, Itsuki Hiroyuki-san; Neuro scientist - Ken Mogi-san.
[Being able to meet people really helps to change my values I think. In the end there is nothing you can do by yourself. Just like photography, when you keep harping on "I want my photos to be taken in such a way", no matter how many photos is taken, the look will never change. At a certain point in time I started to notice "I showed the same face even though I am featured in so many magazines!" That doesn't mean I felt that that was my limit, but rather there is a need to involve people in what you do and adjust youself to them. Though I might sound snobbish, but I think I have the knack in finding people that I think "somehow they are interesting". But of course, there are times that I think I had to go forth steadily with my own pace. But when I have to adjust myself to others, I will do that too. And about 2 years back, I think I finally started to get a grasp on balancing that.]
If there is a "good" place, people and nature will gather.
Strolling down the streets of Tallinn, while Okada-san was engaged in a deep conversation with the staff about soccer, he bought almonds on the street and gave them out, saying "it's delicious". Halfway through, while taking shelter at a cafe from the rain, he also asked the female staff eagerly, on love related questions like "What kind of person is your type" and " Are you dating this type of guys?". And the next morning, that time round he went out on a jogging trip with a male staff. From the start to the end, the whole trip was carried out in that kind of atmosphere.
[I like the word "place". For example the photoshoot this time round, I think about things like I am not just an image in the lens, but am also reflected in the view of the cameraman's world. And in the case for acting, I have to become the character and integrate with the filming scene properly. With these thoughts, I hope to become someone who can create a "good" place.]
With those thoughts, Okada-san is gradually changing himself for the better.
[I think when a "place" is created, nature and various people will start to gather. For example on this Estonia trip, if I had created a strained atmosphere, wouldn't everyone be devoided of fun? Of course if the staff put on a face as if they don't care and get on the car quickly after the photoshoot is done, I would think that they are just going along with my attitude. Though this is not about "mirroring my attitude", I've learnt naturally that while doing this kind of job, any of my actions will change everyone. But on the contrary, I have became more adaptable in different places in a good way. Thinking about what I can do to create a fun atmosphere for the people around me and without doing the impossible how I can enjoy myself too. This kind of "place" creation is something that I've learnt to do recently....Well frankly speaking, the creation of "SP" is really tough. Even though it was tough, during the launch, I have staff telling me "Thank you for this dream come true." At that point of time I was really happy that "ah, it is not just me but this is also everyone's dream". And being able to create such a place, to me that is really a forte.]
With the vision of how he wants to live, and the experience of the period of impatience, Okada-san says, "Now I want to enjoy various things and be able to live life in enjoyment."
[I am really moody when I am at home though (laughs). I am like a shut-in, all I do is reading or watching movies. But when I am out, I will put to good use the energy reserved for outside use, when I am with someone, I will also put to good use the energy reserved for when I am with someone. No matter how the energy is spent on, it will all be from myself. I did exercises for various muscles and recently I started to think that I am becoming more human-like.]
Essentially I would like to see the difference between gender as an important issue.
Okada-san will be turning 30 this year. Just like the above thoughts and views on how a "person" should be, he also held some unchangable vision of how a "man" should be.
[There is no difference between gender in terms of jobs. But to me, other than that, there are times that a man need to be like a man in front of a lady. In biological sense, especially during a disaster or when in danger. That is because no matter what, a man will have the strength and thus the need to protect the lady. Like on the trip this time round, we stopped by a farm on the way and everyone helped out in wood splitting, but when the female staff tried to split just 1 log, they took quite some effort to get it done, but the guys did that easily right? This I think it is important to recognise such essential differences between gender, and therefore the instinct to protect ladies is very strong. The ladies may get angry thinking " I have no intentions of wanting to be protected", but till the end, that was my wish...]
On the other hand he said "I want to be able to act like an idiot in front of ladies no matter how old I am".
[It's alright if I am able to protect her in any times right? If I am well prepared for that, she will understand that "though that person acts like an idiot normally, he is able to protect me at anytime". And thus it is important to get her to understand that. That I think is a guy's task to do so. I think recently that has been lacking in me and the guys around me... But a guy will always be able to do it in times of need. Even though gentler guys may say this and that, but when it comes to the point of doing it, they will still do it!....I have hopes for Japanese guys, or rather Japan's society! (laughs)]
Only happiness is something that you don't hold yourself.
Okada-san said "After coming back from Estonia, I rethought about "what is happiness?"" Even in the interview, he said countless of times, tilting his head sideways, "why is there such a good balance in this country?"
[Estonia is a place where Skype is invented right? When I knew that the person from this meeting knew the person who invented that, immediately i asked, "this must have been lucrative right?" But the reply was "What are you talking about?" with a blank look of puzzlement from that person. And I tried to hide my embarrassment. In this country, whilst all banking and election are changed to IT based, they protected and retained the old streets and forest well. Though businesses are started for more earnings, all of them can say without hesitation that "I want to be useful to anyone". I have the feeling that while they do dash around, at the end of the day, they knew how to organise themselves well. In history, they were also under the attack of various countries, thus they might be a region with a knack of being able to adapt their social situation well.]
Having experienced the period of being obsessed with "the way I wanted things to be done", Okada-san understands the importance of "balance" even more than usual. Even so, he said, "Though one may be swayed easily by various things, I feel that one's pace is something that will not change."
[In the end, the basis of happiness is not something that you can hold yourself, I feel that one's roots will not sway even though things happens in life. Thus more then just giving well wishings to the people who are happy around me, I would want to head towards the direction that I think I will attain happiness. And while living so, I want to become a person whose basis of choosing what is important to me. And while doing so, no matter what kind of situation I meet, no matter what happens, I have the confidence of living on. And this "strenght" to me, in this period where changes are fast and furious, is a very important thing.]
Hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did. Article is from Grazia, no scanlations as it is from the last 2 pages of wordy text. Though I had the mag, I still thank inocchi_ry for her scans which makes reading easier while translating. And no I was too tired to check for grammar and spelling mistakes ^^;;
"In this 2 years, my basis of happiness changed. Happiness to me now... is probably being able to create "good" places."
In the past, I was a person who puts just myself first.
In the mysterious country where old streets line the city, where vast forest spans and where the finest IT inventions coexisted together, there was one thing Okasa-san was sure to ask every single person he met. - What is "happiness" to you? And at the same time, he too questions himself about this.
[In this 2 years, for me the basis of happiness has underwent a tremendous change. Before that, there was a change once, way back when I was 24. In my early 20s, whatever I do, I try to put myself as top pirority. I was obessed with how I want to do things or what kind of person I want to be. If someone talked to me while I was reading my script, I would retort with a scowl as if saying "You're in my way"; being irritated with the gap between the reality and the ideal person I want to be, and venting my anger at various things. I was a difficult person (laughs). Gradually the basis changed from "myself" to for the sake of my work and for the sake of my friends.]
When Okada-san was 24, he was starting to be recognised for his acting in his drama, "Tiger and Dragon" and movies, "Tokyo Tower" & "Fly Daddy Fly".
[To put things bluntly, there was a point in time that I continued in this line just because I want to get comments and feedback. But things changed when I started thinking that I should not just continue in this line for the sake of the comments. And subsequently I started to have vague ideas of what can I do, not just anyone else but when I put forth my name, what are my creations? This kind of thoughts escalated when I was around 27, from the region scale to the society scale and expanding to the extent of a country's scale. No matter what I was casted for, I start to explore the thought of "what is it that the entertainment in Japan needs?" And then, with the thoughts of "there isn't any full scale action shows in Japan!", the project for "SP - Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Security Bureau 4th District Security Division" is born.]
Okada-san is known for having a close circle of artist friends in various fields. From young architects to cameramen to stylists, artists and many more. According to Okada-san, when he was also put in charge of the radio program, "Growing Reed" as the navigator 5 years back, he spoke with and got to meet many professionals who affected him greatly such as manga artist - Inoue Takehiko-san; novelist - Miyabe Miyuki-san, Itsuki Hiroyuki-san; Neuro scientist - Ken Mogi-san.
[Being able to meet people really helps to change my values I think. In the end there is nothing you can do by yourself. Just like photography, when you keep harping on "I want my photos to be taken in such a way", no matter how many photos is taken, the look will never change. At a certain point in time I started to notice "I showed the same face even though I am featured in so many magazines!" That doesn't mean I felt that that was my limit, but rather there is a need to involve people in what you do and adjust youself to them. Though I might sound snobbish, but I think I have the knack in finding people that I think "somehow they are interesting". But of course, there are times that I think I had to go forth steadily with my own pace. But when I have to adjust myself to others, I will do that too. And about 2 years back, I think I finally started to get a grasp on balancing that.]
If there is a "good" place, people and nature will gather.
Strolling down the streets of Tallinn, while Okada-san was engaged in a deep conversation with the staff about soccer, he bought almonds on the street and gave them out, saying "it's delicious". Halfway through, while taking shelter at a cafe from the rain, he also asked the female staff eagerly, on love related questions like "What kind of person is your type" and " Are you dating this type of guys?". And the next morning, that time round he went out on a jogging trip with a male staff. From the start to the end, the whole trip was carried out in that kind of atmosphere.
[I like the word "place". For example the photoshoot this time round, I think about things like I am not just an image in the lens, but am also reflected in the view of the cameraman's world. And in the case for acting, I have to become the character and integrate with the filming scene properly. With these thoughts, I hope to become someone who can create a "good" place.]
With those thoughts, Okada-san is gradually changing himself for the better.
[I think when a "place" is created, nature and various people will start to gather. For example on this Estonia trip, if I had created a strained atmosphere, wouldn't everyone be devoided of fun? Of course if the staff put on a face as if they don't care and get on the car quickly after the photoshoot is done, I would think that they are just going along with my attitude. Though this is not about "mirroring my attitude", I've learnt naturally that while doing this kind of job, any of my actions will change everyone. But on the contrary, I have became more adaptable in different places in a good way. Thinking about what I can do to create a fun atmosphere for the people around me and without doing the impossible how I can enjoy myself too. This kind of "place" creation is something that I've learnt to do recently....Well frankly speaking, the creation of "SP" is really tough. Even though it was tough, during the launch, I have staff telling me "Thank you for this dream come true." At that point of time I was really happy that "ah, it is not just me but this is also everyone's dream". And being able to create such a place, to me that is really a forte.]
With the vision of how he wants to live, and the experience of the period of impatience, Okada-san says, "Now I want to enjoy various things and be able to live life in enjoyment."
[I am really moody when I am at home though (laughs). I am like a shut-in, all I do is reading or watching movies. But when I am out, I will put to good use the energy reserved for outside use, when I am with someone, I will also put to good use the energy reserved for when I am with someone. No matter how the energy is spent on, it will all be from myself. I did exercises for various muscles and recently I started to think that I am becoming more human-like.]
Essentially I would like to see the difference between gender as an important issue.
Okada-san will be turning 30 this year. Just like the above thoughts and views on how a "person" should be, he also held some unchangable vision of how a "man" should be.
[There is no difference between gender in terms of jobs. But to me, other than that, there are times that a man need to be like a man in front of a lady. In biological sense, especially during a disaster or when in danger. That is because no matter what, a man will have the strength and thus the need to protect the lady. Like on the trip this time round, we stopped by a farm on the way and everyone helped out in wood splitting, but when the female staff tried to split just 1 log, they took quite some effort to get it done, but the guys did that easily right? This I think it is important to recognise such essential differences between gender, and therefore the instinct to protect ladies is very strong. The ladies may get angry thinking " I have no intentions of wanting to be protected", but till the end, that was my wish...]
On the other hand he said "I want to be able to act like an idiot in front of ladies no matter how old I am".
[It's alright if I am able to protect her in any times right? If I am well prepared for that, she will understand that "though that person acts like an idiot normally, he is able to protect me at anytime". And thus it is important to get her to understand that. That I think is a guy's task to do so. I think recently that has been lacking in me and the guys around me... But a guy will always be able to do it in times of need. Even though gentler guys may say this and that, but when it comes to the point of doing it, they will still do it!....I have hopes for Japanese guys, or rather Japan's society! (laughs)]
Only happiness is something that you don't hold yourself.
Okada-san said "After coming back from Estonia, I rethought about "what is happiness?"" Even in the interview, he said countless of times, tilting his head sideways, "why is there such a good balance in this country?"
[Estonia is a place where Skype is invented right? When I knew that the person from this meeting knew the person who invented that, immediately i asked, "this must have been lucrative right?" But the reply was "What are you talking about?" with a blank look of puzzlement from that person. And I tried to hide my embarrassment. In this country, whilst all banking and election are changed to IT based, they protected and retained the old streets and forest well. Though businesses are started for more earnings, all of them can say without hesitation that "I want to be useful to anyone". I have the feeling that while they do dash around, at the end of the day, they knew how to organise themselves well. In history, they were also under the attack of various countries, thus they might be a region with a knack of being able to adapt their social situation well.]
Having experienced the period of being obsessed with "the way I wanted things to be done", Okada-san understands the importance of "balance" even more than usual. Even so, he said, "Though one may be swayed easily by various things, I feel that one's pace is something that will not change."
[In the end, the basis of happiness is not something that you can hold yourself, I feel that one's roots will not sway even though things happens in life. Thus more then just giving well wishings to the people who are happy around me, I would want to head towards the direction that I think I will attain happiness. And while living so, I want to become a person whose basis of choosing what is important to me. And while doing so, no matter what kind of situation I meet, no matter what happens, I have the confidence of living on. And this "strenght" to me, in this period where changes are fast and furious, is a very important thing.]