Just another FS blog

SEIMEI ChSq is probably one of the best example (well, the whole program IS but it’ll be like 50 pages of thesis. I do have a life) of how Yuzu evolved as an artist expression-wise. SEIMEI is such a powerful program, thanks to the joint efforts of Shae-Lynn and Yuzu, and, imh, additionally Yuzu’s learning from Mansai-sama, (yes this is how this fangirl addresses the living legend) the Kyogen stage actor who played Abe no Seimei in the Onmyoji films (what? you haven’t seen them? DO IT NOW)

As a theatre enthusiast, I enjoyed too much the 1hr conversation between Mansai-sama and Yuzu as the latter prepared for the GP series in 2015. Mansai-sama talked about how to play with the rhythms and make full use of movement in direction contradictory to that one intends. Yuzu displayed his understanding brilliantly at NHK and also GPF 2015, where he broke the WRs. I always love to see Yuzu portraying a role. There, he was the onmyoji who tried to defeat the enemy and emerged victorious.

When Yuzu announced he would reuse the program for the Olympic season, I was overjoyed because I looked forward to seeing how his growth in expression after very personal programs like Hope & Legacy and Requiem of Heaven and Earth. Of course, I was even more surprised by how he exceeded my expectations. In this house we don’t talk about that train-wreck at ACI lol At the first GP, his expression was growing as he accommodated with the upgraded technical elements and slight changes in choreography, yet I could then see how he was less playing a role, but instead introducing his take on Japanese philosophy- his movements were sharper and there was no “balance of power and elegance” but a positive feedback loop (no pun intended, or because I miss 4Lo san too much?) of the two. The yin and the yang. As a whole. His intensity was scary (and kinda worrying) but that was Yuzu in Oly season for you, and I felt he channeled (subconsciously?) his inner thoughts well in performances.

Then NHK happened. His injury and the media blackout.

Somehow I’m beyond grateful that he could make it to Oly because I knew he would win it (it’s strange that I’m not a longtime Yuzu stan but I just have confidence and faith, plus some observations which backed up my thoughts... I stan because I saw him as my role model and he has inspired me a lot). I was eagerly waiting for the ChSq amid tears of joy during livestream.

And he was SMILING-

In the official stream, after he stretched his hands on the beat to run into the ChSq I thought I saw it. Glimpses of it. Later I confirmed it from another angle, like here in this fancam.

I FELT IT.

Radiating joy and gratitude, this ChSq made me realise that the potential of expression in SEIMEI program had been pushed to another level. Yuzu was not selling Japanese philosophy at all this time. He was showing himself, in a program that was probably not made for expressing his own being but then he broke all the restrictions. Note the layback Ina Bauer. (After days, in total, of watching Yuzu’s programs from novice to now, his hand choreography could tell so many things) How he let go of his fists. He owned all the expressions in this program now and didn’t let any symbols or meanings affect him.

More importantly, this mastery of expression was not deliberate. It felt natural and effortless.