Ah~, I'm late this week^^; Gomen>_< I was almost done last night, but then I went out with a friend for the first time since last summer, so I finished it this morning^^ It was a weird night...I nearly lost some toes from standing outside in -20 weather for 20 minutes (really, I couldn't walk properly for like 20 minutes after thatO_o), then the music sucked so we left, go to another place, and it was even worse there! The guy changed songs literally every 2-30 seconds;P You just start dancing and getting into it and suddenly it's a new song with a completely different beat^^; Like some guy with a tv remote flipping channels aimlessly while you're like 'hey I was watching that!"XDD Well, I had fun with her though, we went out for sushi before that and there was a super cute Japanese boy working in the kitchen<3 He looked right at me a few times, I was hoping he'd come out and see me (cause the store was closing and we were waiting outside by the bus stop) but no...^^; It just wasn't a lucky day I guess;P Well, now I have to buckle down and work my butt off until reading week!^V^/
And again, I will catch up on emails/posts/comments in the near future, please forgive me>_< I beg your indulgence for my lacklustre response time...^^; But I miss you guys, so I'll catch up soon:)
Anyway~ today I have the translation of the GRA from 07.11.10 with the gorgeous Japanese sweets:3

[Announcer: Japan's beloved Arashi...will welcome Japan's beloved guests...and study their beloved Japan. Society was shocked by the
Japanese sweets world's cover-up scandal. However, Japanese sweets are a traditional culture that Japan should be proud of. Japanese
sweets are a work of art that express Japan's customs and changing seasons. On top of which, Japanese sweets are called a composite
art of the five senses. It's not just the sense of taste, but by also using the senses of smell, touch, sight, and hearing that you
savor the seasons and stories expressed in Japanese sweets. Do you know the etiquette of these Japanese sweets? When you're called
over to the house of someone you know and they bring out some Japanese sweets...well, how do you eat it? Oh dear, that's wrong! If
you don't know the way to eat a Japanese sweet it's very embarrassing. Let's learn the etiquette of Japanese sweets on today's GRA!]
Aiba: Japanese sweets study group~!
Itou: Yeah!
Aiba: Today, everyone, I thought we'd study Japanese sweets from atop these tatami mats. What we call Japanese sweets ne-
Nino: Yes!
Aiba: - are something you can feel with all five senses. This is it, Japanese sweets are something you feel with all five senses,
they're truly fantastic ne.
Jun: Eh?
Aiba: We're going to be studying the fantastic Japanese sweets from this point on, but since I've nibbled lightly on them, Japanese
sweets, I've nibbled at them a little so I know. Today's guests ne, have a deep knowledge of Japanese sweets ne. Eh, Hayashiya
Souzou-Shouhei.
Shou: What was that? Wait a minute! Wait wait wait! I'm going to go back to being Kobuhei. (writing; a stage name)
Aiba: I'm really sorry. I got your name wrong.
Itou: It's Souzou Shou ne.
Aiba: It's Souzou Shou.
Itou: Shou is really knowledgeable about Japanese sweets,
Shou: Ah, by all means please favor me!
Aiba: Tell us something in more detail about Japanese sweets.
Shou: Um, speaking from the storytelling world framework it would be the four seasons. I think that the sense of quiet simplicity is
an art. (writing)
Aiba: I see~.
Itou: It really fits right into that ne?
Aiba: Your favor please.
Itou: Today we're going to study various things relating to Japanese sweets so we brought in the Japanese Sweet researcher Nakano
Yoshiko-sensei. Your favor please.
Yoshiko: Your favor please.
Aiba: Your favor please~.
[Announcer: Nakano Yoshiko-sensei is a person who puts out books as she travels the country tasting Japanese sweets. She is also quite
skilled in other traditional culture areas. First, let's study the correct way to eat a Japanese sweet.]
Itou: Here it is ne, it has the name Treetop Autumn ne. Um, it's from the Toraya Shop-
Aiba: The famous Toraya Shop ne.
Itou: This is Toraya Shop's Japanese sweet ne.
[Announcer: A store that can't fail to be mentioned when talking about Japanese sweets, Toraya. Exactly what could the meaning of
'Treetop Autumn' be?]
Itou: 'Treetop Autumn' refers to September in the old Japanese lunar calendar ne. It displays the aspect of the leaves' changing of
colors from green to yellow and finally to red.
Nino: Amazing! That's amazing.
Itou: This is hearing, hearing. (writing) Hearing, hearing.
Aiba: That's how it is ne.
Itou: First, Japanese sweets. Sensei, this is presented in the formal form ne?
Yoshiko: That's right ne.
Itou: Yes. So there's a thing called 'kaishi' here, Japanese tissue paper.
Aiba: Do you know this everyone? 'Kaishi', Japanese tissue paper, it's 'kaishi' ne.
Itou: And, there's this twig-like thing. This is...
Aiba: This is...
Itou: Yes.
Aiba: Everyone, do you know?
Itou: Yes.
Nino: Aiba-san, what do you call that?
Aiba: This ne, is called a kuromonji.
Itou: Kuromonji.
Kanako: Kuromonji??
Nino: Why kuromonji?
Yoshiko: Because the kuromonji is made from the kuromonji tree.
Itou: Its because it's made from the kuromonji tree.
Jun: Ah, so that's what a kuromonji is.
Yoshiko: There is a smell to the kuromoji tree, and it happens to be a insect repellent. (writing)
Itou: So it's because it's an insect repellent ne. So in this situation, what would be the correct way to eat this, to start with-
Jun: Yes.
Aiba: That's right ne.
Itou: -that's what we'll do.
[Announcer: What would be the correct etiquette with which to eat a Japanese sweet using kaishi and a kuromonji? First, Riidaa and
Kana-chan will give it a try.]
Itou: So, if you're getting the etiquette wrong we'll tell you to stop.
Aiba: We'll stop you.
Itou: Do your best if you want to eat.
Aiba: That's how it is.
Kanako: Eh~?!
Aiba: Go ahead, please eat.
Itou: Go ahead!
Ohno: Thanks for the food.
Jun: That's right.
Itou: You want to eat it reight? You want to eat it don't you?
Kanako: Yes.
Jun: That's right.
Itou: So go ahead, please eat.
Aiba: Ah, Riidaa is...
Kanako: Thanks for the food~.
Aiba: First of all...ahh, and...and...holding the kuromonji...yes, you're out!
Itou: Riidaa's out!
Aiba: You're out!
Itou: Riidaa's out, Riidaa's out, that's it, Riidaa's no good.
Kanako: So that means that picking it up is no good...
Itou: Yes, you're out!
Kanako: You scared me!
Itou: Kana-chan is out too.
[Announcer: Riidaa was out for cutting it while holding the dish; Kana-chan is out for cutting it without holding the plate. In the
end, what is the correct etiquette? Next, Matsumoto-kun and Sakurai-kun will give it a shot.]
Jun: By the way...Shouzou-san doesn't know?
Shou: I have an idea, I've done it when having tea. I have an idea of how to do it.
Itou: I think that if the general here was mistaken it would look fairly bad. (writing)
Aiba: it would look bad, Shouzou-san.
[Announcer: After this, what is the etiquette of these two? Will Matsumoto-kun and Sakurai-kun be able to do it correctly?]
Itou: So, well then, plaese go ahead and eat.
Aiba: Go ahead!
Jun: Thanks for the food.
Aiba: I'll monitor Sakurai-kun ne.
Jun: What a pretty- uwah, that's such pretty colors ne. (writing)
Aiba: You got applause from Sensei. (writing)
Itou: He got some applause.
Shou: He did it well ne.
Itou: He complimented the colors.
Sho: Uwa, it's so pretty ne. (writing)
Itou: Idiot!
Sho: This is quite...
Aiba: Oh...the kaishi...
Itou: The kaishi...
Shou: The kaishi...
Aiba: The kaishi...
Itou: He took one sheet of it.
Aiba: One sheet. And, oh, Matsumoto-kun is in motion...
Sho: I'm going to put it here.
Itou: Yes, you're out!
Shou: That's wrong?
Jun: Why, it was going so well!
Itou: You're out!
Aiba: Sakurai-kun put it on his lap.
Sho: So that means that putting this in is no good right? So you need one certain thing right?
Aiba: That's right! Ne, I think everyone has it.
Shou: That's right! So what are you going to do?
Nino: What are you going to do?
Shou: What are you going to do?? What are you going to do??
Aiba: But some spirit into it!
Sho: Hold it down.
ShoU: Oh, you're going to hold it down. And??
Nino: And?
ShoU: Then what?
Nino: Then what?
Sho: Then go like this...
Nino: Then what?
Itou: Yes, you're out~.
AibaL You're out~.
Sho: I have absolutely no idea. (writing)
Kazuyo: You're not supposed to hold it down.
[Announcer: Matsumoto-kun is out for cutting it while on the plate as he's holding a piece of kaishi; Sakurai-kun is out for cutting
it while on the plate with a piece of kaishi on his lap. Ah, are they getting closer to the correct answer? In the end, what is the
correct etiquette? Lastly it's Master Shouzou, Matsui-san, and Ninomiya-kun, but before that...some study of the history of Japanese
sweets. ]
Itou: From here on ne, I'd like to do introduce some of the history of Japanese sweets. And here and there we'll have quizzes.
Aiba: There will be quizzes.
Itou: If you answer correctly you'll be able to eat the Japanese sweet that was the turning point in that part of the history.
Aiba: Do youre best!
Itou: Do your best.
Aiba: It's only if you get it right ne.
Itou: When looking at the history of Japanese sweets overall there are 4 stages. (writing) This is the very first one, let's take a
look. This is it. The Tang Sweet Era.
Aiba: Everyone, do you know this?
Itou: Kana-chan?
Kanako: Eh? There's cayenne pepper in them even though they're sweets? (writing; the character for Tang is the same as the first
character in cayenne pepper;P)
AibA; Ah, this 'Tang' is talking about the Chinese dynasty. (writing)
Itou: The Chinese dynasty.
Kanako: Ah, I thought there was a sweet called the cayenne pepper sweet;P
Aiba: hey, you're tension's too high!
Nino: Lower your tension, that's enough.
Itou: Well, envoys to Tang China were crossing over the to the main continent, so speaking in terms of centuries that would be the
early six hundreds. So during this era the skill of kixing flour and frying it in oil entered Japan. The next era is this one
here. The Dim Sum era.
Aiba: Ah, the Dim Sum era.
Itou: From the Kamakura era to the Muromachi era, what was conveyed here as dim sum were the manjuu (steamed, filled yeast buns), as
well as this youkan (sweet bean jelly).
Aiba: Yes! So here we're going to pose a question~. Everyone, this youkan is riding on this question. Please take a look at this
youkan, it's from Toraya ne.
Kazuyo: How nice, it looks delicious.
Aiba: It's a youkan called the 'night plum'.
Kauzyo: Ah, I buy that a lot.
Aiba; You buy this a lot?
Shou: It's expensive!
Aiba: This is an expensive sweet.
[Announcer: Made since the Edo era, this is Toraya's 'night plum'. One piece is 2625 yen.]
Aiba: This is a piece that will make you think of the dimly white plum blossoms blooming in the dark of night.
ShoU; Definitely ne.
Kazuyo: Yes, that's right ne.
Sho: But you know, I've never really taken a good look at youkan before, but since you talked about the five senses it really is
incredibly pretty ne. (writing)
Aiba: it's pretty ne. It's pretty ne.
Itou: Well then, here's the question. Youkan were originally (blank) in China?
Sho: That's kind of gross...
Aiba: Everyone, if you know please come and whisper the answer in my ear.
Jun: Yes!
Aiba: Okay, what was it originally?
Jun: They were Chinese cuisine manjuu. (writing)
AIba: It's not Chinese cuisine manjuu. You're wrong.
Jun: Don't say it out loud!
Aiba: You're wrong.
Itou: You could say ne...that it's the name of a cuisine ne.
Aiba: Yes. Let's go Kana-chan. Look closely, look closely.
Kanako: I've got it.
Aiba: Yes.
Nino: Look closely?
Kanako: Pork buns, the inside of Chinese buns. (writing)
Kazuyo: Look closely?
Itou: look closely. Hey...
Aiba: It's not the inside of a pork bun!
Kanko: Ah, I'm wrong?
Itou: You over there are look closely at it, but-
Aiba: That's not it~.
Itou: -what I want you to look at is this here. (writing) This is it.
Aiba: It's 'youkan' ne.
Shou: Meaning look at the kanji?
Aiba: Yes, the kanji, the kanji!
Jun: 'Lamb'? (writing; another pronunciation for the first character)
[Announcer: Those of you in front of the tv, please think it over with them. The 'you' in youkan is 'lamb'; well then, what's the
'kan'?]
Aiba: Shall I demonstrate it with my body? (writing) Eh, what should I do? Ah, now you'll know what it is!
Shou: What, what was that just now?
Aiba: The 'lamb'...
Shou: The 'lamb's...
Aiba: Ah, Sho-chan loves this kind of thing. (writing) Correct~!
Itou: Correct~.
Aiba: it's something common.
Itou: It's a 'lamb'. How is it a 'lamb'-
Aiba: Correct~!
Sho: yay~.
Aiba: Only 30 seconds left! 30 seconds. 28...yes?
Ohno: Lamb...ramen. (writing)
Aiba: It's not ramen, it's not ramen;P
Itou: It's not ramen.
Aiba: It's close!
Shou: it's close to ramen?
Aiba: Ramen is close. 'lamb'...
Shou: Grilled soba. (writing)
Aiba: It's not grilled soba!
Kazuyo: I've got it! Yres, yes.
Aiba: 'Lamb'...correct~!
Itou: Correct~.
Aiba: next one...
Jun: Ramen is close, but grilled soba isn't close at all. (writing)
Ohno: Chashuu noodles. (writing)
Aiba: It's not chashuu noodles! That's not ramen! Yes, that's the end!
Itou: So, the correct answer is, youkan was originally-
Itou: So, the correct answer is, youkan was originally a soup that had lamb meat in it in China.
ShoU; Ah, so that's it...
[Announcer: The 'kan' was referring to soup. In other words, youkan was a soup with lamb meat in it. So youkan was one dim sum item
that was brought over to Japan by the Zen priests. However, at the time there was no custom of eating meat in Japan, so sweet red beans,
kudzu starch and wheat flour were used as substitutes. They say that's the beginning of the youkan of today. Well then, for those who
answered correctly, please eat some of the 'night plum'.]
All: Thanks for the food~.
Aiba: Huh, Master, isn't this frustrating?
Shou: Incredibly frustrating!
Itou: It's a fall from grace.
Aiba: Sakurai-kun went ahead.
Sho: Delicious. (writing)
Aiba: Delicious ne! It's great to be alive ne! (writing) Matsumoto-kun.
Sho: Why would you say that?
Aiba: How is it?
Jun: So youkan is this delicious ne. (writing)
Shou: It's that delicious.
Aiba: Youkan ne.
Shou: Good youkan is unebelievably delicious.
Aiba: Yes.
Itou: Next is this one here. The Western Europe era.
Aiba: The Western Europe era.
Itou: Eh, this is the Azuchi-Momoyama era ne, the Portuguese started coming to the the port at Nagasaki. So what came with them at that
time was castella.
Aiba: Castella ne.
Shou: Castella.
Itou: Eh, compeito, carmela, biscuits, and others; the Western sweets of the time ne. And, the fourth stage is this one here. The Capital
sweets era.
Aiba: Capital sweets, does everyone know this?
Kazuyo: That's right ne.
Itou: In the Edo era ne, after several hundred years of tradition, they went so far as to create the gift youkan.
Aiba: So if you couldn't give an equivalent gift in exchange you weren't able to eat them ne.
itou: So people such as the daimyou (feudal lords), these because beloved by the upper echelons of society.
Aiba: Now here's the question!
Shou: Alright!
Aiba: if you get it right ne...eh, Nihonbashi's Takashima Shop's Suetomi Shop's capital sweet.
Kazuyo: So pretty~.
Shou: Oh! So pretty~!
Aiba: This ne, is the 'voice of the deer'.
Kazuyo: Ah, the 'voice of the deer'!
Aiba: The 'voice of the deer' ne, you'll be able to eat this.
Kazuyo: There's a deer.
[Announcer: Suetomi Shop, with it's main store in Kyoto, is a store with a large number of fans across Japan. The 'voice of the deer'
is a beautiful, unique Japanese sweet made by wrapping a sheet of dough over sweet bean paste.]
Itou: Well then, I think we'd like to enjoy it through the sense of hearing a little bit. (writing) "Pushing through the fall leaves
in the depths of the mountains, when hearing the crying voice of the deer fall saddens".
Aiba: Ah, that's great, incredibly good.
Jun: You know that one right?
Aiba: Master is amazing ne.
Itou: Well then, moving along, the question. Sugar is used in Japanese sweets ne, but this sugar was eaten at such-and-such a time in
the past.
Aiba: Yes, let's go Matsumoto-kun.
Jun: Battle. (writing)
Aiba: It's not battle. Correct!
Shou: I did it~!
Itou: That's amazing.
Aiba: As you would expect from Master. So, at what time did they use sugar?
Kanako: First thing in the morning. (writing)
Aiba: it's not first thing in the morning.
Itou: Do a pantomime hint. (writing)
Nino: No, enough of that, you can't tell.
Kanako: Yeah, a hint. An easy to understand one.
Aiba: Yes.
Sho: Huh?
Aiba: Correct;P
Itou: Correct. It came out unintentionally just now.
Aiba: Correct!
Sho: You're totally unconcerned huh;P
Aiba: Correct. Yes, that's the end~! The end~.
Itou: That's the end of it. Sugar was eaten when they were sick, in the past.
Kanako: Sugar is a medicine?
Ohno: That's for real right?
Kanako: For real?
[Announcer: In the Seventh Injury Reference of the Medicinal Varieties book sugar was inscribed as a medicine. It seems that sugar
was a winder drug for overcoming fatigue.]
Aiba: Well then, those of you who answered correctly please eat some of the capital sweet.
All: Thanks for the food~.
Shou: Uwa, this sweet bean paste is so pretty ne~.
Jun: Did they have this back then?
Aiba: This, the 'voice of the deer', how much of a history does it have?
Yoshiko: The name comes from the nineties.
Ohno: Japanese sweets are delicious ne.
Shou: Delicious ne~.
Sho: Delicious.
Aiba: But they're not just sweet ne.
Nino: They're not overly sweet ne. No matter how much you eat.
Shou: This is delicious~.
Aiba: Riidaa isn't eating again ne. (writing)
Ohno: The hint messed me up. (writing)
Aiba: Conversely ne;P
[Announcer: The correct way to eat a Japanese sweet. What's the correct etiquette for eating a Japanese sweet using kaishi and a
kuromonji? It's embarrassing if you don't know. Lastly it's Master Shouzou, Matsui-san, and Ninomiya-kun. Upon which, Ninomiya-kun, who
is try it out at the same time as Master...]
Nino: I just have to follow Master as much as possible ne. (writing)
Kazuyo: That's right ne.
Aiba: That's right ne. So, please dig in.
Itou: Let's go, go ahead.
Nino: Thanks for the food.
Kazuyo: Ah, this is quite a sweet ne, this is great ne. (writing)
Aiba: So, will their Japanese sweet etiquette make it?
Shou: That does go with it ne.
Kazuyo: That's right ne.
Nino: Ne.
Itou: Ah, Ninomiya-kun has picked up the kuromonji.
Kazuyo: The kaishi...
Jun: Oh, let's take a look.
Nino: Ah, it's very sharp ne. (writing)
Aiba: Sensei, how about it?
Itou: Sensei, how about it, he said the kuromonji is very sharp.
Nino: It's very sharp ne.
Yoshiko: That's right ne... (writing)
Aiba: is that how it is, 'that's right ne~';P Yes, holding the kaishi...
Kazuyo: Yes. So it goes like this.
Aiba: It's like that.
Shou: It's like that. The kaishi goes with the closed end facing you. This is the way to hold it ne.
Aiba: I see.
Nino: I see.
Shou: So then you would- ah! I see!
Aiba: What's next is how to cut into it.
Shou: It's piercing it, piercing it.
Nino: Slicing it is okay right?
Shou: Slicing is no good.
Nino: Piercing?
ShoU; That would be okay wouldn't it.
Itou/Aiba: yes, you're out~! Yes, you're out~.
Nino: Let's go Master.
ShoU: Hey, since I have the Hayashiya name, although it's Konbu, if I miss this I'll become Ippei. (writing; another person with the
same last name)
Aiba: We've accepted that challenge.
Shou: Is it okay if I go?
Itou: Go ahead.
Shou: I'm going with ym hands.
Itou: Hayashiya is out!
Aiba: Matsui-san is out too.
Kauzyo: Eh, going like this is no good?
Itou: You were both close, but out.
Aiba: Out.
Nino: So, Ippei-san, please return to your seat. (writing)
Shou: I'm not Ippei, I'm not Ippei.
[Announcer: Ninomiya-kun is out from holding the kaishi and piercing the sweet on the plate; Master Shouzou and Matsui-san are out
from holding the kaishi and picking up the sweet as if to rest it in their hand. Well then, the demonstration from Nakano-sensei...]
Aiba: Sensei, the demonstration if you please.
Itou: Yes.
Yoshiko: Then I will do so. You pierce it just a little here ne.
Aiba: From the side.
Itou: In this way.
Aiba: This is correct.
Yoshiko: After that you pick it up like this. Then you cut it above your lap.
Aiba: Sensei, you don't cut it above the table?
Yoshiko: You do not. Cutting it and eating it here ne, if it's really good quality then you will definitely leave marks. (writing)
Aiba: Ah, that's right, you would definitely leave marks on the plate ne.
Nino: I see.
Sho: Eating it in such a way as to not mark the plate has kind of a Japanese virtue feel to it ne. (writing)
Aiba: That's right ne~.
[Announcer: Well then, the demonstration one more time. First you lightly pierce it in the side with the kuromonji, using your left
hand in unison lift and rest it atop the kaishi. And you lift the kaishi above your lap, cut it into suitably sized pieces, and eat.
This is the correct etiquette taught by Nakano-sensei. Next, let's study the connection between Japanese sweets and the seasons. Do
you know the difference between botamochi (red bean mochi) and ohagi (rice ball covered in red bean paste)? The botamochi is for the
botan (peony) season, something you eat during the vernal equinox. The large shape is to resemble the peony that blooms in that season.
On the other hand, the ohagi is eaten duirng the hagi (bush clover) season, the fall equinox. The red beans look like the bush clover
blossoms that bloom in that season. In this way it's surely impossible to finish talking about the connection between Japanese sweets
and the seasons.]
Itou: There's a certain Japanese sweet in here. Of course, it's okay for all of you to take a look at it. And, it's called the 'sweet
name', I will introduce the name of the Japanese sweet. So, from the name and the coloring, you'll tell us what season this sweet
is representing.
Shou: We'll know this~! This is easy. (writing)
Aiba: Then please don't be wrong.
Yoshiko: What will you do if you get it wrong? (writing)
Shou: If I get it wrong...?
Aiba: Sensei.
Yoshiko: Ne.
Shou: You're unexpectedly mischievious ne, Sensei. If I get it wrong I'll become Ippei. (writing)
Aiba: You'll become Ippei? I'm going to lift up the cover ne. Please take a look. It's okay to look ne, but you can't eat it. Yes, here
it is.
Itou: This is it.
Kanako: So cute~,
Itou: This is the 'wabisuke' from the popukar store Kogetsu.
Sho: Peach-
[Announcer: Tokyo's Koujimachi, the capital sweet store Kogetsu. There are tender sweets representing all ammner of things on display,
brought in from the Kyoto main store.]
Shou: What is the meaning of 'wabisuke'? (writing)
Yoshiko: You're doing your best ne. We talked about this.
Shou: Wabisuke...
Kanako: It's always apologizing ne. (writing; similar word to apology)
Itou: 'Let me make amends, I'm terribly sorry;P' No, not that kind of thing.
Yoshiko: Wabisuke is exactly how it sounds. (wriitng)
Shou: Wabisuke is just the way it sounds?
Yoshiko: Yes.
Itou: Yes, just the way it sounds ne.
Kanako: Wabisuke is...?
Itou: Right now Sensei this is wabisuke ne. Ne? It's like the 'seasonal word' in a haiku ne.
Shou: What could wabisuke be??
Nino: I see ne.
Itou: There is a variety of a certain flower called the wabisuke.
Shou: Ah, I've got it!
Kazuyo: I've got it.
Shou: I've got it!
Kazuyo: I've got it.
Aiba: he said too much ne, Sensei?
Shou: Ah, now I've got it.
Itou: Well then, now we'll go to the season decision. Ready, and-!
Aiba: Yes!
Itou: Winter (Shou), summer (Kazuyo), spring (Kanako), summer (Sho), fall (Nino), spring (Ohno), spring (Jun). Ne? Sensei, they're
quite divided.
Aiba: Well well well-
Itou: Sensei, they're quite divided but-
Aiba: Sensei please don't tell them the answer yet ne. (writing) Eh, first of all, Master, why winter?
Shou: I think the wabisuke is a camellia. (writing)
Aiba: Sensei, sensei, not yet.
Nino: Enough already, just tell us!
Shou: Since it's camellia...camellia is a winter flower right?
Yoshiko: That's right.
Shou: Because it's the cold camellia ne. (writing)
Aiba: Well, there is that kind of thing too. Matsui-san, why summer?
Kazuyo: I think it's a lotus. (writing) The lotus has this yellow...
Jun: Oh, the lotus ne.
Aiba: Kana-chan, why spring?
Kanako: I thought this was a cherry blossom. (writing) Because it has four petals.
Aiba: Ah~. Riidaa?
Ohno: Because it's pinkish, spring.
Aiba: MatsuJun is the same?
Jun: Yes.
Aiba: I see ne~.
Jun: Cherry blossoms and pink are spring I think. (writing)
Itou: Well then, what is the season Sensei? (writing)
[Announcer: The Japanese sweet, the wabisuke. Exactly what season is this sweet expressing?]
Itou: Well then, what is the season Sensei? (writing)
Yoshiko: Yes. It's winter. (writing)
Aiba: Winter ne~.
[Announcer: The variety of camellia that blooms mainly in the winter is the wabisuke. Which means that the correct answer was winter.
The other for winter is the 'winter solstice pumpkin'; spring is the 'dancer's fan'; summer is the 'fortune god's hollyhock'; summer
is the 'kibunegiku' and others. Japanese sweets can be enjoyed even just by their names.]
Shou: Um, when Sensei patted me with her hand when I got it right I thought about going out with her. (writing)
Nino: What?
Shou: I thought we might go out.
Nino: Master. Master, that's no good.
Aiba: That's no good.
Itou: So, Master will eat it.
Shou: Thanks for the food~. The inside is a really an incredibly pretty color. Ah...
Aiba: How is it?
Shou: The flavor blossoms ne. (writing)
Aiba: Ah, that's a good one~;P Just now we studied things related to Japanese sweets, but how was it everyone?
Shou: Ah, I learned a lot about the youkan ne.
Aiba: We did ne.
Shou: I didn't think it was lamb soup.
Aiba: Although I thought that Master had quite a lot of wisdom concerning Japanese sweets you really have almost none at all ne.
Kazuyo: Hey hey hey!
Shou: Meaning what? I'm an idiot?
Aiba: No no no, not that, not that. That's not it at all, ne Sensei, ne.
Yoshiko: I don't think anything at all;P
Shou: She doesn't think anything at all about me;P
Aiba: How was it today MatsuJun?
Jun: I've started wanting to go try buying Japanese sweets ne. (writing) Just by myself, trying out the various kinds that they have.

This was really cool, I didn't know there was that much history or meaning behind Japanese sweets, and just like Jun I want to go try some now...^^ And now we know the right way to eat them tooXD Not wanting to scratch the plate, that really is a very conscientious thing to do ne. Poor Ohno, so many food shows and he just doesn't get to eat.....XDDD

And I finished the FC pamphlet from last week...no Jun this week cause I don't have time^^; But Aiba's piece is really touching (<3) and the Ohmiya bit is just pure love...reallyXD

Credit for the scans again goes to my dear friend, thank yuo so much:3



Aiba Masaki
Unforgettable person

First of all ne, please allow me to express my thanks to everyone. To those who came to see it, to those who lined up on the day itself,
to those who wanted to come but couldn't, all of you, thank you! I'm truly grateful. It was a big job with an incredible sense of
accomplishment. Because after all, to be honest, it was a lot of work. Rehearsing while doing Arashi's concerts was definitely what
you would call a lot of work. Because at any rate it was a role where you suppress your emotions. [Raising your tension and letting
your emotions drop off] was hard. Because I constantly have to have my emotions in motion I always do, I let them drop, let them drop.
Itr's something like a swan ne. It looks like it's floating on the surface of the water, but it's legs are moving a lot. It looks
like they've stopped, but they don't stop. In Adam's case if you can stop it then you won't have any idea what he's thinking. I went
through a lot of hardship o that front. While using minimal words for things that he thought, while Adam's extroversion was incredibly
minimal, once it had passed through Adam's filter I'd say it. I was really conscious of both me movements and my speech. When it was
over I was incredibly tired, every time. Since the theater was was on Korean-town's Shinoookubo we all went to Korean themed restaurants
and ate dinner for energy. It was fun because everyone got along so well. At points like that I wasn't being conscious of things at
all, I get the feeling that I really tackled focussing on Adam. I'm also incredibly grateful to everyone who gave me the feeling that
I didn't need to overly worry about it.
Although for the most part we always went to eat dinner with the staff included, there was a time between performances in Tokyo where
I went out just with the starring cast. Although going with everyone is also very important, the producer said to me [how about going
with just the cast just once and having out all the things you wnat to say to each other?]. I'm not really the type to settle accounts
so I was like 'ehhh~, I wonder if I can do that, I have no confidence in it huh'. But when I picked the restaurant and called everyone
they came. It was fun. The meat was delicious (laughs). I think it meant a lot to do that. There were a lot of veterans older than
me, so there were a lot of things that they taught me. I think that was an incredibly good day.
After that there was a little bit of time from the Tokyo performances to the Osaka performances ne. I was worried about what I'd do
if I lost the feeling for it. So I didn't relax my focus. I always held on to it, even while doing other jobs. I kind of don't really
remember the last day in Osaka ne. Since I had the feeling like [Ah~, I've finally reached the goal!]. Although I felt like the things
I'd been holding onto loosened a little, I didn't cry. Because I was crying the whole yime up until then ne. Tears wouldn't come out
anymore. I was all dried up (laughs). I remember being extremely moved from an incredible mixture of various emotions like 'it's over'
and 'thank you'. I think plays are interesting, but they're hard ne. No matter how many times you do them they're hard. The core o
them is too deep. But putting reason aside, I'm thankful that I was able to do this play.

You can really feel his pureness and gratitude coming through here, it's lamost like he's talking right to you instead of writing...and when he said at the end that he couldn't cry anymore I wanted to give him a big hug>_< He worked so hard on this performance, and he really deserves the high acclaim he received:3 I'm very proud of him, just the little bits I've seen in the CMs and news clips were striking and moving...X3 I look forward to what he'll do next^^





Ohno Satoshi and Ninomiya Kazunari
Sunny Arashi

- We'd like you two to talk about the memories between you of the year '07.
Ohno: You celebrated my birthday ne.
Nino: That's right ne. Although it went over about 2 days. Along with your neighbourhood friends ne. We were talking normally.
Ohno: Eating, singing. At the beginning I told you that our friends were going to do it.
Nino: I was invited by this guy too ne. Because we were together when work finished Riidaa and I went just the two of us. ...You don't
remember do you?
Ohno: I fell asleep (laughs). Even though it was my birthday party.
Nino: Well, the only part that was birthday party-ish was the moment when we toasted it ne. We just toasted and said 'Happy Birthday!'.
Ohno: After that it was just a normal dinner party ne.
- On a side note, did you do something Nino's birthday?
Ohno: ...(thinking) Huh? What did we do again?
Nino: We didn't do anything ne.
Ohno: We didn't do anything huh. I sent you a text message. Were we working together? I don't really remember ne.
Nino: We weren't together at this year's birthday.
Ohno: Speaking of which, lately we haven't been exchanging presents ne.
Nino: We haven't ne.
- So, in '07, at point were you watching the other person and thought [he's so cool!]?
Ohno: Nino's cool in everything.
Nino: Riidaa's cool in everything too ne.
Ohno: When he's eating too, I'm not really sure but he's cool ne.
Nino: He's cool from the moment he gets to the set ne. It's only natural that I would be revering him.
Ohno: Yeah. I was thinking that you were revering me. I felt that (laughs).
Nino: I affectionately respect you. Ohno-san, whenever, wherever.
Ohno: Nino's profile when he's playing games is kind of incredibly great ne.
- Well then, the cute points?
Nino: Everything's cute.
Ohno: Everything's cute. I think he's cute everyday. Heheheh.
- What other things have the two of you done besides the birthday?
Ohno: Ah~, the two of us did a performance together, for work.
Nino: We did ne.
- That's the guest appearance on [Yamada Tarou Monogatari] ne.
Ohno: I was thinking that Nino had really grown.
Nino: Really? Well~, although it's me saying this, Ohno-san was just as you would expect. Just from entering the set all the extras
said [good morning!] to him. When he introduced himself they applauded. Everyone was really worked up weren't they.
When I saw that I really felt that even though everyone was meeting him for the first time they all loved Ohno-san ne. Because
when it was me they didn't applaud as much.
Ohno: Is that so?
Nino: I was thinking that's why the TV industry is asking for Ohno-san.
Ohno: I see. ...got it.
Nino: Huhahahaha.
- How many people were there around you?
Ohno: I dunno. I couldn't look forward, I was too embarrassed.
Nino: But Ohno-san, you appeared well ne.
Ohno: Remembering the lines was a lot of work ne.
Nino: Huh? Didn't you just change them on your own and speak?
Ohno: Ah~, I couldn't remember them. I changed them (laughs).
Nino: That was the point where the director said [Could you not say that?] isn't it. Then you said [no way] and refused. You went on with
what you wanted to do, I guess you could call that core strength huh. I didn't have that. I thought that was amazing ne. (caution:
this is a joke)



Ohno: Indeed ne.
Nino: That was something you had thought about after all?
Ohno: That's the result.
Nino: It showed up on the screen.
Ohno: It did?
Nino: Yes, Sho-kun said so.
Ohno: We haven't seen it.
Nino: I saw it ne. Although only the part where Ohno-san appeared. It was an icnredibly good performance.
Ohno: Thanks.
- By the way, lately we see you two with facial hair from time to time. That's rare ne.
Ohno: Ah~, I think it's more rare for the other 3 to have them ne.
Nino: That's right ne, when it comes to us all.
- Ohno-san has been growing some on his chin for a while now, but lately Ninomiya-san too.
Nino: I think that, after all ne, is a path that I had to tread at least once as someone who affectionately respects Ohno-san.
Ohno: I think it's tough though.
Nino: Since I think that it's Ohno-san's Arashi.
Ohno: Well, since he's still kind of a kid it's thin though. His feelings come across though. When I shave, he shaves. When I think that
it's grown out I can feel it right away. You could say we understand each other.
Nino: It's really all I can do not to be behind. One way or another.
Ohno: Because of that, there are times when we don't see each other for 3 or 4 days ne, but I think it's those times that he's the most
tense.
Nino: Though when we meet I get by without even thinking about it ne.
Ohno: When we meet out of the blue and I'm all grown out...
Nino: I panic ne. Since there's more things to think about on days we don't see each other. Like, 'how will Ohno-san bring it out
next?'. Though really I want to imitate his hairstyle too. But if I imitated him that much when we have concerts people won't
be able to tell who's who (laughs).
Ohno: That can't be helped ne (laughs).
Nino: That's why I mustn't get any taller. Just like this.
- Who's taller? If you were to say one or the other.
Ohno: Nino's taller.
Nino: No no, Ohno-san is definitely taller, speaking from appearance. That thing. The line-up in [Yes?No?] is the height order.
Ohno: That's right. [Yes no~] ne.
Nino: It's a fantastic singing voice ne!
Ohno: Though it was just light ne (shy).
- Speaking of concerts, I think that not being able to see OhmiyaSK lately is an extraordinarily sad situation.
Nino: Just the other day ne, they said they broke up ne.
Ohno: They said something like that ne.
Nino: They said to convey their thanks to the people in Japan who supported them ne.
- Is this true?!
Ohno: You'd have to ask them to know ne.
Nino: Because they said it, we're just repeating it ne.
Ohno: But they were drunk that time ne. Those two.
Nino: Well, I'm not getting my hopes up very much ne. ...I guess I'll get the same hairstyle as Riidaa after all huh.
Ohno: Well, do your best (laughs).

Hahaha, if Nino seriously got the same haircut they really would be indistinguishable, at least from behindXDDD And he's so deadpan it's hard to tell just how serious he is;) But he really does love Ohno, they are so cute together<3 And I wonder if the purported demise of OhmiyaSK is true^^; Sure seems like it, such a shame... But why doesn't Ohno celebrate Nino's bday?XD Just give him something made of clay, he'll be over the moon!;) Poor Nino, he loves Ohno so much and ohno's just out to lunch sometimesXD And I like the pictures that go along with it, they fit perfectly^^

Well, that's it for today, I hope you enjoyed it^^ If there was any news lately I've totally missed out on it so I feel kinda disconnected...^^; But I'll see if I cna get back into the swing of things this week, I feel my characteristic stubbornness coming on, pushing me forward, and it's reassuring; like a wave cresting behind me, carrying me towards the shore on its shoulders. Forward, ever forward, let's keep moving towards the future on our own terms, with our dreams firmly in front of us:3 Step and go!;P Take care~=)

そんなに疲れたのに、やる気がいつの間に沸いて来た。前向きに頑張っているしかないから、そうしよう。きっとそのほうは後悔することじゃないから。前進あるのみだね！＾＾