[2021.1.1] A Precious Tasuki We Received From The People Of Japan

[barbosa2007]

VSA producer Kan Tsuyoshi posted a moving tribute to Arashi on his LINE blog. I've translated the entry here.

Translator’s notes:

Before you begin reading this blog post from VS Arashi Producer Kan Tsuyoshi, it is worth understanding the ekiden analogy which he uses. If you’ve watched 24H TV, you will know that the ekiden is an ultra-long-distance relay race where a team of runners work together.

With such a long course made up of wildly different legs, each runner is carefully selected for the distance and terrain to which they’re suited. Because of its team nature, it is common for the lead to switch between teams with each stage as different runners take up the mantle.

Rather than using a baton like in relay races, a sash, called a tasuki, is worn across the chest and passed from one runner to the next during the transition zone. More than just a piece of equipment, the tasuki symbolizes the spirit of the team.

Source: JR Pass Blog

A Precious Tasuki We Received From The People Of Japan

Arashi has safely completed the race.

In the 2 years after they had resolved to go on hiatus, there was probably thirty percent of work that they were not able to do. In spite of that, they were neither discouraged, nor did they grumble, they simply revised their plans each time and single-mindedly looked ahead as they ran. With the setbacks brought about by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, they weren’t able to do this, nor that. I’m amazed that they were able to endure it despite the circumstances. I heartily respect the 5 members and their staff.

The group had to welcome their (temporary) finale in the midst of rapidly rising COVID-19 cases in November and December. All the staff members who were involved with Arashi had this carved onto the innermost parts of their hearts.

We must not let them get infected.

I hope that you don’t misunderstand, to be infected is not something evil. This can happen to anybody and we can’t assign blame for it. However, we simply cannot allow Arashi to get infected at this point in time. The grand finale of Japan’s national idols. We cannot let the precious tasuki which we’ve received from the people of Japan stop at us. The 5 members who were tossed around by the acts of God throughout this year. We want to do the best we can to prevent (them from getting infected), so we were stricter than usual in implementing prevention countermeasures.

Even after the final episode of VS Arashi, they had to appear on Music Station, Shiyagare, Japan Record Awards, Kouhaku, their last concert… We needed to pass the Arashi tasuki on to the next person. It’s not like we connected directly with the staff from other TV stations, but without a doubt, everyone who was involved with Arashi was united in one purpose.

Even after VS Arashi’s final episode aired on 24 December, there was no sense of relief. I couldn’t cry. Why? Because the race hadn’t ended.

We had simply run our segment of the race, but the tasuki has yet to reach the finish line. That’s why our feelings stopped there…

“MSte-san, I’m counting on you!”

“Got it. Now to pass it onto Shiyagare-san…”

Although it might just be my imagination (laughs), there is no doubt about it. They’re a group which can make people feel that way, as the fans very well know.

Through Arashi, I was able to run an ekiden with staff from other TV stations that I’ve never met… Furthermore, as team mates. It’s an incredible feeling that I’ve never had before.

It was a long and difficult race course with mountains and valleys, although we had bad weather during the race, the tasuki made it safely across the finish line. Rather than a sense of accomplishment, I’m sure that everyone must have felt a sense of relief.

We also wanted to tell the 5 members, “Thank you,” “Well done!” or “Thanks for your hard work”, but most of all, we wanted to say,

"You guys did great."

That’s how I feel, from the bottom of my heart.

Don’t catch a cold!

- Kan Tsuyoshi