[2021.01.28] Kan's Diary, Part 2

[barbosa2007]

VS Arashi producer Kan Tsuyoshi wrote another blog post about his memories of Arashi!

Although I have a bad memory, I’m diligent at recording things.

I’ve been keeping a diary for over 20 years. In other words, I’ve recorded all the happenings from VS Arashi. What happened during filming? Who did I talk to, and about what? They’re all recorded.

I first met Arashi on 12 March 2008 (Wed). This is what I documented then.

“My first meeting with Arashi. As you’d expect, their aura is different when they come together. Matsujun is cool. Sakurai and Ninomiya are leading the conversation, I guess? I think the key may lie with Aiba.”

How about that? I delved into their personalities pretty well for a first meeting, don’t you think? As you’d expect of Leader, he didn’t leave an impression on us at all. (^^)

Up till then, my impressions of the members as individuals were pretty strong, but when I first met them as five, their auras were extraordinary after all. I remember having that impression.

When the first episode turned out to be a mess due to (the disparity in) the teams’ points; I felt that the staff weren’t thinking about anything and we were in a critical situation. (laughs) They stopped talking in polite speech quite quickly. Honestly speaking, it really helped us.

The youngest member, MJ, was almost 20 years younger than me. Given the difference in our TV careers, he would normally speak to me in polite speech. It would be easier for the talent too.

However, the 5 of them spoke to the staff casually and frankly. Furthermore, it was quite an exquisite (balance)…

MJ: Say, Kan-san, who’s climbing today?

Aiba: What should I do next?

Leader: …I bought another lantern. (^^)

While it was friendly, they kept a respectful distance with the guests and staff! They’re weren’t stiff and we felt that we could speak frankly with them.

Even though they were young, Arashi was the chief of the show. They had to bear the responsibility as the faces of the program. However, they wanted to stand on equal footing with the people who were creating the show with them. Although I haven’t asked around, I think they’re probably like this on all their sets? They’ve managed to find the best way to connect with people older than them from a young age. They weren’t arrogant, neither did they try to flatter us. That was their style.

Somehow or other, I was assigned to Arashi for the VS Arashi filming. Shortly thereafter, our dynamics became that of a restaurant owner and his 5 part-timers. I told them about which games they were in charge of, as if explaining about work shifts, and we discussed the games together. When they worked hard, as the “owner”, I’d also praise them…

Kan: Ninomiya-kun, you did great today! Maybe we’ll raise your hourly salary by 50 yen next month?

Nino: Thanks! (^^)

Kan: Ohno-kun is working hard so I guess he can promoted to the chief next month~

Leader: Erm… no thanks. (￣▽￣)

This was our restaurant skit behind the scenes of VS Arashi. To be accompanied by these 5 magnificent and extravagant part-timers… I was the happiest owner in all of Japan.

Kan Tsuyoshi, 28 Jan 2021

Translator’s note about polite speech versus casual speech

Keigo – the polite form

Keigo is a form of Japanese language known as the Polite form. This is often used when you meet someone for the first time or when you talk to the elders (a child speaking to an adult for example).

If you go to shops – convenience stores, supermarkets or especially luxury department stores – they will always speak in keigo form. This is to follow the traditional thinking that “every customer is a god”.

Tameguchi – the casual form

Tameguchi is a form of Japanese language which is casual and impolite. The words tend to be shorter compared to Keigo.

It is used in the conversation between family members, relative and friends. The elders will also use this form when they’re talking to someone younger.

Keigo & Tameguchi – Examples

Every sentence in Japanese can be written in Keigo and Tameguchi form so it is impossible to list all. Here are few examples:

Can I have this

Korewo Kudasai – (Keigo)

Korewo Chodai – (Tameguchi)

Source: Oha Japan