SAKAMOTO FUYUMI: Refreshed and Relaxed

by Terri Nii

This month we bring you an interview with Sakamoto Fuyumi, a young and dynamic figure in the enka world. Born in 1967, her debut occurred when she won an NHK song contest in 1987 at the age of 19. Over the past 15 years, she has gained wide popularity as an enka artist. She took a brief "intermission" of about one year and returned to the stage in spring 2003. Eye-Ai staff Shibazaki Jun, Ishiguchi Sanae and yours truly compiled questions to pose to this highly-evaluated artist. We began our questions by asking whether her view of the geinokai and her work has changed.

Eye-Ai: It has been almost one year since your return to show business; how are things going? What kind of feelings do you have?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Well, of course I enjoyed singing prior to the break I had, but since my return, I feel profoundly happy to be performing. Now it is more of a heartfelt endeavor for me.

Eye-Ai: During the six months off, were you able to "recharge" your batteries? How did you spend your time?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: I don't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but for some reason, all kinds of rumors about me circulated in the media. There was gossip that I was gravely ill and even that I had died. Due to these rumors, I could not stay in one location very long but had to keep moving from place to place. The result was that I traveled all over the country. Actually, I even went to Hawaii during this time.

Eye-Ai: Now that you are back on stage, how does it feel to perform in front of the audience?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: That people waited for my return and supported me so unwaveringly was really gratifying. I am very grateful for their steadfast support.

Eye-Ai: Comparing your career before your break and now that you've return to entertainment, has your impression of enka changed at all?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Since my return, I feel that the lyrics have a more powerful sensation.

Eye-Ai: During your break, did you read entertainment-oriented magazines or did you watch TV programs about entertainers? How did you feel watching those programs?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: While I was away, I didn't know whether I would ever return to the entertainment world, and everything that I had done to that point seemed like a dream. So watching TV was like looking at a world far away.

Eye-Ai: We heard that you happened to see a recital of Futaba Yuriko on TV and that seeing it influenced you. Could you tell us how you felt when you saw it?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Yes. Futaba Yuriko has had a career in singing for almost 70 years and is still performing superbly. Her voice is just as beautiful as ever. I thought that if I had a voice as strong and clear as hers, it would be easier to have confidence in my performances.

Eye-Ai: You sent a letter to Futaba Yuriko after the program. Would you tell us something about what you wrote in the letter?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: I told her that I had become afraid of singing and had no courage or confidence in myself. I also let her know that I was considering withdrawing from entertainment.

Eye-Ai: During your break, you watched television and other performances as an ordinary viewer. What was your impression of entertainment at that time?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Last year when I watched NHK's Red and White Singing Contest Gala, I recognized that I didn't pay as close attention as I had in the past. For example, I didn't notice each verse or each note in the melody as I did when I was performing.

Eye-Ai: You have released a new song, Kimagure Dochu. (This song literally means, "In the Midst of my Whim.") Please tell us what about the song it was that attracted you.

Sakamoto Fuyumi: I really liked the title and the feeling of the songﾑit has sort of an old-fashioned character to it.

Eye-Ai: It was interesting that you decided to release Ki-magure Dochu in analog format. That's quite unusual in this digital age. Was this because you wanted as many people as possible to be able to listen to it?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Well because the song conveys a kind of "retro" feeling, we decided to release it in analog format. We are happy to have had a good reaction from fans.

Eye-Ai: Your debut song, Abare Taiko, was composed by Taka Takashi. What kinds of things have you learned from him?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Both Taka Takashi and Oka Chiaki have communicated the message that life should be lived with a relaxed approach. So I have tried to express a joyful mood when singing on stage. I would like the fans to be relaxed and comfortable when listening to my songs.

Eye-Ai: We hear that your newly released song, Ki-magure Dochu, also had involvement from Taka Takashi. Could you tell us about that?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: It has been my great fortune to have his support over these 17 years. I somehow feel that, especially since my return to the entertainment business, he has provided me with uplifting, happy lyrics, so I am doing my best to express their joy when I sing them.

Eye-Ai: The songs you perform vary from very delicate pieces to the up-tempo Yozakura Oshichi. Which type of song do you think is your "type" or more suited to your voice? Which is your specialty?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: I really don't know if you can say it is a specialty, but I have always liked the softer, gentler songs. But it seems that fans are hoping to hear the up-tempo, rather powerful songs. Now it seems that they attend concerts expecting to hear me sing robust or hearty pieces.

Eye-Ai: In March you will serve as the "zacho" troupe leader for performaces at Shimbashi Embujo. What kinds of preparations are you doing in advance of this stage?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: The Shimbashi Embujo is a very prestigious theater and now, although I am a little nervous about whether I can fulfill the high expectations of the spectators, I hope to perform in a free and lighthearted way.

Eye-Ai: You perform both on television and on stage. How is you approach different? Does the venue affect how you feel when performing?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: When I perform on stage, there is interaction with the audience, and there is an energy that flows between performer and viewer. This ambience allows a more casual and relaxed approach to performing. But on television, especially in the case of live shows, one can't help but be more nervous. There are thoughts like "what should I do if I make a mistake?" going through my head during live TV performances.

Eye-Ai: It has been 17 years since your debut into the entertainment business. We wonder if the enka genre and performers has changed during that time, and if so, how.

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Well, the types of arrangements and themes of the songs may have changed with the times, but I think that the art of expressing Japanese music remains the same.

Eye-Ai: When you release a new song or album, do you give an opinion about how it should go?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: As someone involved in the "output" of the piece, in consultations with staff members, I do my best to ensure that the final product is work in which I can take pride.

Eye-Ai: If you could do anything you want, anyway you want, to present yourself, how would you express yourself as a vocalist and what kind of performance would you render?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: I have been fortunate to have been able to study with Inomata Sensei as well as receive support from various other people, so I am very fulfilled by my current situation. Even if I had the chance to re-present myself, I think that I would aim to do the things with which I am actually involved.

Eye-Ai: When you have free time, what kinds of things do you do? What are your preferred hobbies?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: I'm thankful that since I've been back in entertainment, I've been pretty busy performing here and there. When I do have some free time, I go to the gym for a workout, or upon occasion I visit Futaba Sensei's home for a voice lesson. At this point I don't really have time for any hobbies.

Eye-Ai: Inomata Sensei had a great influence on you. Of the things you learned from him, what would you say has been most useful to you?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Inomata Sensei was a composer, so he taught me to respect the lyrics of a song.

Eye-Ai: All of your songs, from Abare Daiko to Kimagure tochu must be very important to you. But can you tell us which one is your "best song?"

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Well, I can't really say that there is a "best one," but if I were to tell you my "only one," then it would have to be Abare Taiko. The reason that I would choose this piece is that it was my debut song, and as such, is unique in my career.

Eye-Ai: We know that you performed in San Paulo, Brazil and wonder if you might have any plans to do a tour in Hawaii.

Sakamoto Fuyumi: Oh, I would very much like to go to Hawaii to perform. If a project is proposed, I will definitely take the opportunity to go.

Eye-Ai: Could you tell us a little about what you have coming up?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: The most important thing to me now is to concentrate on preparations for the performances at Shimbashi Embujo in March. Following that, I would like to consider releasing a new song.

Eye-Ai: From now on, what kinds of projects would you like to do?

Sakamoto Fuyumi: I'd like to maintain a positive outlook and not worry about things in the future. Whatever happens today, I'll try to remember that "tomorrow is another day" and take what comes in an easy-going, relaxed way.