#yuntod

Have a good day and take care!

— H

【Response to: "What is your subbing process?" and "What makes 'Elisabeth' so special to you?"】

Dear Anon H,

I am very glad the effort is not for nothing! Thank you for your acknowledgement, that is very nice to hear!

Now about "Elisabeth", yes, that musical is my personal favourite of all time. It is in great part because it is also very personal, because that is the production that got me so deep into the theatre world.

In this post I shared my story of how I got into the theatre world via Takarazuka Moon Troupe 2009's "Elisabeth". Therefore that performance is the most special to me. Besides, Sena Jun's Der Tod has this unparalleled majesty and other-wordliness, it still sends chills down my spine every time.

The most mind-blowing "Elisabeth" so far to me is 2019 "Elisabeth" by TOHO with Furukawa. And yes, I did go see that performance live. I have even made a detailed art report on this blog. Click here for Act 1, and here for Act 2.

Unlike Takarazuka, because TOHO's "Elisabeth" is not bound by a format that demands Sissi and Der Tod have a fluffly romantic dynamic, it offers the actors way more liberty to show themselves. And oh boy, did Furukawa run with that liberty. In the 20 years of "Elisabeth" performances in Japan, Furutod is the only one who portrayed Der Tod as the loser, allowing the phenomenal Manaki Reika to be the true victor as Sissi is supposed to be. Click here for the explanation. If you are interested in more about Furukawa's Der Tod, the tag for him on my blog is "#Furutod" and "#Yuntod".

A critical response to the majority romantic narrative placed on her life and of the culture of death, according to the playwright Michael Kunze.

It portrays the trauma (domestic terrorism) she experienced and the effects it had on her life. Death appears as a response to that trauma.

Furukawa Yuta's Der Tod, makes this point even clearer than other actors have in the past focussing on portraying Elisabeth's suppressed emotions, showing what she cannot.

To further complicate the narrative, the being Death has its own goals. Elisabeth is not in control of this being and its interests are very one sided. Its involvement in her life are in the form of what appear to be episodes of complex trauma. (C-PTSD/PTSD)

Appearing only in the palace, when she is in distress:

Injury resulting in near death experience

Marriage, when her relatives are criticising her in earshot.

Loss of dignity and freedom  

Emotional Betrayal

Loss of her parental rights

House arrest

Death of her children

Infidelity of partner

Disease (stds) Death informs her of this.

Political demands

She is trapped deep within her mind, by a demand or tragedy where she must remain stoic in the face of circumstances. The colder she becomes outwardly, the more emotional Death grows. (Yuta's interpretation)

She wants release, but not to die. Death is terrifying, and its presence even in its seductive lure, ironically wills her to live. Resisting It provides the only control she has in her life.Like most mental illness and other states of being, she cannot change this.

This being is living through her and alongside her,mirroring what is underneath her mask.

This is partly inspired by activist Sara Harvey (Agony Autie) and her late night conversations about trauma.

On a very personal level I relate to Elisabeth as she's presented in this story; someone who desires freedom from demands and oppressive social rules,especially those historically placed on women.

Death and suicide ideation and trauma are heavily romanticised. Women's distress and trauma is often gaslit this way through many mediums and narratives. It's important to analyse those narratives.

I struggle with complex trauma daily and in the past suicide ideation. I know what it is to feel captive to trauma and your environment. The rush and chaos of flashbacks and emotions and the loss of control it brings. When I started this account it was to help me process and control these feelings through my interests. At this point in time, my motivation is my love of sharing and expressing, and of Yuta too.

Polymer clay Furutod and Chapisissi!!

YOMI Magazine July Issue

Cover Story: Print Cookie

“Why not try crash into it?”**

Furutod with the 20th Anniversary special Print Cookie!

** Inspired by Furukawa’s infamous ‘Crashing Series’ wherein he just...crashes into random things. #激突シリーズ

Please do NOT repost my art anywhere without explicit permission! Reblogs however, are very appreciated of course.

YOMI magazine June Issue and June issue limited edition!

Featuring the official merchandise:

Sissi star card case

Sissi star necklace

20th anniversary foldable Umbrella

Standard Edition text:

Cover Story: Sissi star necklace & card case. “Darkness is growing”** Even in the pitch black darkness, you shall show your radience. **”The darkness is growing” is the lyrics from the song of the same name, “yami ga hirogaru” in Japanese, and  “die schatten werden länger“ in German.

Limited Edition text:

Cover Story: Der Tod’s Umbrella Lord Death’s Fashion Advice: “When the sun is obscured by the black clouds, it is my time to shine”

No, I am not sorry for the cheesy text.

YOMI magazine May Issue

YOMI magazine May Issue Special Edition

YOMI magazine May Issue Chibi Edition

Purchase link: here.

YOMI May Issue

Cover Story: Der Tod’s Tote Bag

Fashion Advice from Lord Death! Dark & Elegant Drop Dead Gorgeous

Translator’s Notes:

Furukawa’s Der Tod is so beautiful, it has become a running gag among the Japanese fandom that aside from his job as Lord of the Underworld, he works as a fashion model for side job.

YOMI is the Romaji of 黄泉, meaning ‘Underworld’. It is likewise the reading for 読み, meaning ‘Reading’.

The Japanese word for ‘Der Tod’ (To-to) is the same as ‘Tote’ in ‘tote bag’.

YOMI May Issue (Special Edition)

Cover Story: Der Tod’s Tote Bag

“The last dance belongs to me”

Furutod with the 20th Anniversary special T-shirt and Tote bag.

【YOMI May Issue Normal Edition】

【Link to Elisabeth 2020 Merchandise】

【Purchase link to Elisabeth 2020 Merchandise TOHO Mall】

Please use #Proxy on my blog to find how to buy Japan exclusive items. Or just Google.