“Confidence Without Genius”
This is the new lineups first tour, what kind of feelings did you greet this with?
There was a long time between the preparation and the start of the tour, but little by little my heart began to pound more and more.
Also, the 9th generation member’s are at the top now, is that a big thing?
From being the youngest we have become the oldest but, we’re all close in age; rather than “senpai” I’d like us to all consider each other “partners”. So, in that sense, I think everyone will get the feeling that we are all standing on the stage with the same unease.
Has the production atmosphere changed up to now?
Of course, to do my best has not changed but, the feeling is different. On the day of the first daytime performance, my body felt like “What?” I couldn’t grasp it, it was like I couldn’t grasp how I felt.
I heard from the members that you cried.
Probably, I was the first to cry…But, I don’t really know why I was crying. I was afraid, so I cried. I think it was something you do when you feel troubled.
The 12th Generation member’s cried too, huh.
Yes, they cried. It was the 12th generation first stage, and I think that the tension we felt was similar.
Does watching the 12th generation members remind you how you felt when you first joined the group?
It really reminds me of it. When I first joined I didn’t know my left from my right, I didn’t know what to do to get a good confirmation and I had a lot of big regrets. I was being pulled by my senpai’s footsteps. I don’t want the 12th generation to feel that kind of regret, so I’m teaching them various things.
What kind of things are you teaching them, specifically?
For example, when doing choreography, remembering and before not being able to remember, and understanding the meaning of choreography. Teaching rhythm in increments. The senpai members have overlapping problems and will guide each other. I teach a lot of how to do nuances with hand movements while dancing.
In terms of the 12th generation learning directly, does this come a lot from the 10th and 11th Generation?
Thats right. But, the 9th generation look at each other. We don’t teach each other directly, its more like we watch each other. Also, we naturally think that we must do our own best first. During a break we will confirm the details. So, we are doing it for the 12th generation in that way, one by one.
Do you remember what your relationship was like with your senpai when the 9th generation first joined?
During lessons we were told, “Have only the 9th generation dance and watch,” but, there was a lot I couldn’t do. I couldn’t remember my position or the choreography…At that time, I cried to Takahashi Ai.
It was shocking, huh.
Probably. We were kind of desperate and just going along with our Senpai.
So, do you now understand the feelings that Takahashi Ai felt when you cried to her?
Thats right. I understand.
On this tour, what challenges does the group face?
The senpai members have talked about “Not wanting to do things like the past Morning Musume”. We don’t want to be like that past, we want to work like our own Morning Musume. The title of the tour is “GRADATION” so we want to give the sense that we are showing the process of us growing up.
What kind of challenges did you face personally?
I’ve told myself “I don’t have enough of the “I am Sayashi Riho” spirit,”. I think “Was it better in the past?”. I feel that I want to have more confidence in myself. I think “I’m still not quite there, when it comes to my singing, dancing and representation. But my teacher told me “You don’t dance as you did four years ago, and in four years you will not dance the same, so please have confidence in the way you can dance right now,”
Its that there are things you can’t do now, huh.
I’m taken aback, ah, that is how I think. I don’t have confidence in my current self, as of now when you watch my performances, I want them to be good so I don’t become invisible. I think now, even if the performance is complex, I really want to show “Thats myself” in a cool way.
During preparation for the dancing, did you deepen your bonds with any member?
While we don’t talk directly very often, Oda Sakura-chan.
The two of you bring the performance up, do you empathize a lot (because of that)?
I want to rely on Oda-chan, and I think its a big reliance. Everyone has their own various places where they will be noticed, but I think lives are number one for me, and when thinking of lives, I think with Oda-chan thinks a similar way.
For Sayashi-san, what kind of person is Oda-san?
She doesn’t have any complaints. It may be because she is the only one of her generation, but it may be because of her character. But, I think it she may have her own troubles..
If Oda-san came to you about her troubles, what kind of advice would you give her?
I also don’t complain and have things that I have not resolved myself so in my experience, I would say to try to keep a good mental state.
The two of you are similar, huh.
Thats right. For myself, I’m in good condition, but I arbitrarily hone in on the bad things, I have that type of shaking feeling. We both seem to have that kind of troublesome personality.
But not just your feelings, you have the same performances?
On days where my singing tone is good, its like it isn’t. Its like my feelings will go up or down, it can be kind of intense.
Speaking of that, have the other three 9th generation members noticed this?
I don’t really hear a “Whats up?”. Sometimes they’re gentle but its more like we’d smack each others butts, to show we care about each other.
Is it all three of them?
Everyone has that feeling. With the 9th generation, I’m not great at playing around or being completely harmonious (with them), but thats how support is shown.
Again, How do you think Morning Musume ‘15 should be?
We have a lot of support from the staff but, not only that, I think that we must build firmly as a group. For the group to get better, I think that I need to state my opinions. It may be selfish, but I think that it is necessary now.
And, what kind of group do you want to be seen as?
At any time, there is a presence of this time or that time. Of course when watching us, we would like to receive the love of people who like us, but in particular, for people who already know us, I would like us to be seen as a totally new group.