This time, as a special edition of "Kikunosuke Diary ~Listening to Good Things~", we will be showing the ice show "Ice Fantasy", which was directed by Kikunosuke and starred Daisuke Takahashi. hyoen 2024 –Miracle of the Cross Star-This is a report on the performance of "(held at Yokohama Arena for four days from June 6th to 11th). We will also report on the rehearsal two days before the show, which we were given special permission to observe.

Kikunojo gives rapid-fire instructions from the production booth.

"Tokio-san, please come from a little further west. Kakeru-san, please link in at that time."

"Once we've confirmed that Daisuke is on the board, please begin moving the panel screen."

Kikunosuke's voice, sitting in the production booth located in the middle of the audience seats, echoes through a microphone into Yokohama Arena, which has been transformed into an ice rink.

The story is based on Kenji Miyazawa's "Night on the Galactic Railroad" and is called "The Miracle of the Cross Star." Kakeru is a young mineralogist played by Daisuke Takahashi, and his best friend, the astrophysicist Tokio, is played by actor Takuro Ohno.

Not only the costumes, but also the lighting, sound, and digital images in the background of the stage are all production-ready. With the opening day just two days away, rehearsals are in full swing.

Kikunojo will also be in charge of directing "Ice Fantasy 2024"

The ice show "Ice Fantasy" starring Daisuke Takahashi began in 2017. Kikunojo has participated as a choreographer from the beginning and has participated in many shows. When we heard that he would be participating again this year as a choreographer, we at the editorial department were looking forward to it.

I was really surprised when it was suddenly decided in early May that he would also be in charge of directing the show. At that time, there was already a little over a month before the opening. Since then, he has been holding meetings every day late into the night, sometimes even until the morning, to make preparations.

From April to May, Kikunojo's schedule was packed, and he was so busy that he couldn't even arrange meetings for this series. That's because he had a string of performances in the entertainment district for which he was in charge of directing and choreography, including the "Kamogawa Odori" in Pontocho in April and the "Azuma Odori" in Shinbashi in May.

Kikunojo-san was also busy running from east to west, preparing for events such as the "Kyogen and Japanese Dance Evening" held at the FCCJ (Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan) and the "Itsei-kai" event introduced in the previous "Kikunojo Diary - Listening to Good Things". Watching Kikunojo-san rehearsing, I was impressed by his determination to somehow weather and forge ahead in the stormy times.

Kikunojo has been in charge of directing and choreographing a variety of performances up until now, so we asked him if it was different to be directing an ice show at Yokohama Arena rather than a theater...

"The space is large, and the lighting system and video projections are complex, but I don't feel that there is much difference between this and a dance stage production. There are many similarities in the way we think about staging, rehearsals, singing, acting, and how to please the audience. I have also been involved with the ice show 'Ice Fantasy' since its first production, and this is my fourth time directing it, including 'LUXE,' so I have a lot of experience with it."

In a complete change from her kimono appearance, she took command in a sweatshirt with the Hyoen logo.

Kikunojo, sitting in the production booth, is wearing a staff sweatshirt with the "Hyouen" logo and black pants, a departure from his usual kimono appearance. His different outfit from usual gives a fresh impression.

"The background image is a bit too raw, please make it a bit rougher."
"The spots on the left and right are too bright, so turn them down a bit."

Kikunojo-san gives rapid-fire, precise instructions. Following those instructions, the stage gradually comes into shape.

Due to schedule and venue restrictions, today, two days before the opening day, was the first rehearsal at Yokohama Arena. However, thanks to the intensive training and rehearsals that have been done so far, including at training camps and at the Shin-Yokohama skating rink, the movements of the main star Takahashi, the other performers, and staff are so smooth that it's hard to believe that a rehearsal at the arena is only the opening day.

Today's rehearsal was a run-through, so to speak. It started with the opening, and took about three hours to go through the flow, checking the timing of the "entrances," the position on stage, the lighting, and so on, in detail, before taking a 30-minute break and then spending another three hours going through the flow of the next scene. It was a very hard day.

She steps onto the ice in her own skates. The core strength she developed through dance is also useful in skating.

The 30-minute break began. Even though it was a break, some of the performers remained on the ice, checking the feel of their jumps and confirming their positions. Kikunojo left the production booth and headed toward the stage. He put on his skates with the usual steps and began skating toward the performers on the ice. His skating was so smooth. It was surely the excellent core strength he had trained through dancing that was at work.

"During rehearsals like today's, I don't get on the ice much, but before I enter the arena, I spend most of my time on the rink practicing with the other performers and choreographers. I've done it many times, so I'm getting used to skating a bit. Of course, I'm using my own skates."

After a brief exchange with the performers, Kikunojo saunters back to the production booth with agile movements. The next rehearsal is about to begin.

"Maybe it's about the top," Kikunojo replied with a laugh when I asked him when the rehearsal would end. "The top" means midnight. There are still nearly eight hours to go. It's only through these rigorous rehearsals that the stage becomes more polished.

Top current skaters such as Kazuki Tomono and Koshiro Shimada will also be appearing.

The story of "Ice Fantasy 2024: Miracle of the Cross Star" revolves around Kakeru, Tokio, and Kakeru's childhood friend Yuki. Yuki is played by Kana Muramoto, who is like a comrade to Daisuke Takahashi, having paired with him to brilliant results in ice dancing and creating memorable programs.

Other performers include top skaters who are still active in the industry, such as Shizuka Arakawa, who won a gold medal at the Turin Olympics, Kazuki Tomono, and Koshiro Shimada. Many actors also appear. In addition, Yuzu, who wrote the theme song, will perform at the end, making this a truly luxurious stage.

Spectacular skating scenes and adorable kid skaters

I saw the performance on the third day. The stage, which had a strong musical element, progressed at a good tempo. The highlight was, of course, the skating scenes. Starting with Takahashi Daisuke, the skaters ran freely across the ice, performed spins, and sometimes even jumped high, creating a powerful performance that could not be experienced on any other stage. Also, the scene where Takahashi and Muramoto danced was as you would expect from an ice dancing pair that has competed worldwide. The entire venue was enveloped in an elegant atmosphere.

As the story progresses, Kakeru and Tokio visit several planets floating in the galaxy. On each planet, they are greeted by various characters, including kid skaters. In the scene where about 30 performers, including adult ensemble members, dressed in cute costumes, spread out on the ice and skated, the entire venue seemed to be transformed into a flower garden.

Daisuke Takahashi also performed a solo song. The audience was thrilled when Yuzu appeared.

Daisuke Takahashi was on stage almost the entire time. There were many scenes where he stopped to speak right after showing off his splendid skating. What surprised me was the scene where he sang solo. His lustrous voice reverberated throughout the arena, and the audience was captivated by his music.

At the end, the duo Yuzu appeared. The arena turned into a live concert venue. After the theme song "Jujisei", they performed the familiar "Niji" and "Beautiful". Kitagawa Yuujin and Takahashi moved to the front of the stage and sang passionately with their arms around each other's shoulders, and the audience went wild with excitement.

Kikunojo-san's eyes welled up after watching the first day of the show...

The performance lasted more than two and a half hours, but it ended in a flash. It didn't feel long at all. The various images projected on the multi-screen at the back of the stage, using the latest digital technology, were also very beautiful and impressive.

The applause never stopped as the performers circled the rectangular rink that served as the stage. This show brought together a variety of talents, including not only professional and active skaters, but also actors, comedians, dancers, and singers.

I was surprised to learn that it was Japanese dancer Onoe Kikunojo who was coordinating the performances of such a diverse group of performers, and I was reminded of the great potential of Japanese dance and traditional performing arts.

This performance would not have been possible without the courage of Daisuke Takahashi and all the other performers to step out of their usual territory and take on new challenges. Watching the large number of performers running around the rink with smiles on their faces, the sense of accomplishment and joy of each performer is conveyed to the audience.

Even Kikunojo himself, who is very familiar with the content, was moved to tears when he witnessed the first day's performance of "Ice Fantasy 2024". I can't wait for the next performance, which will surely be even more powerful and evolved. This is surely what many of the spectators were hoping for as they left Yokohama Arena.

Kikunojo Onoe

■ Onoe Kikunojo III, fourth-generation head of the Onoe school

Born in 1976. He started studying under his father at the age of two and made his debut on stage at the age of five. In 2, he inherited the fourth head position of the Onoe school and took on the stage name Onoe Kikunojō III. He hosts his own recital, "Onoue Kikunojō no Kai," and the "Itsusei-kai" with Kyogen master Shigeyama Ippei. He also devotes himself to creating new works and has presented a wide range of works. He has directed and choreographed in a variety of genres, including new Kabuki, Hanamachi dance, the Takarazuka Revue, the OSK Nippon Revue, and ice skating shows "Hyouen" and "Luxe."

Part-time lecturer at Kyoto University of the Arts / Director of the Japanese Dance Association

Related Links

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Text by Masao Sakurai (Office Clover)