Utterly tired.... but it's finished! A summary of Bijo Houdan; hmm not really a summary since it's this long... whatever you want to call it then.
Bijo Houdan 03 – Ishikawa Rika
Narrator: Rika’s history in MM and H!P and a little about illumination designer, Ishii Motoko. She went to Finland to learn about illumination design.
Before the talk: Ishii-san thought when she first met Rika that she was a cute and charming girl, but she knows that what you see on TV and the actual person is a little different, so she looks forward to meeting the real Rika.
Before the talk: Because Rika is a secretive (one who doesn’t open up easily) person she is a little nervous.
Rika is a little nervous, so Ishii-san tells her to relax. Because there’s the conveniently placed Tokyo Tower in the background, Rika goes straight in and asks Ishii-san about her experience about lighting up Tokyo Tower for the first time. The first time Tokyo Tower lit up was 20 years ago. For its 50th anniversary, they decided to give Tokyo Tower a new make over, so Ishii-san thought that for a lady 50 years is definitely a diamond, so for its anniversary, it lit up into 7 colors and then a white diamond illumination.
Ishii-san then asks Rika about her debut stating that she at 15 years old. Rika mentions that debuting at 15 was like putting a child out into the real world. But now she is finally an adult as well as her way of thinking is more mature. Up until now, she didn’t have a chance to really think about things, but now that she does have time, she thinks about what she wants to do from now, so she wants to ask Ishii-san about various things.
Rika does have something she is worried about and it’s that she is the type of person that goes against the flow (Amanojaku).
After the talk: Ishii-san hasn’t heard the phrase, “Amanojaku,” used that often recently and is surprised that Rika would use that word, but she thinks it’s cute.
Rika gives an example of her “amanojaku,” saying, when the staff asks what outfit she should go with today, Rika can’t decide, so they would ask the other staff people around for their opinions and when the votes are tallied up, Rika would choose the outfit that had the fewer votes. Ishii mentions that it’s just Rika’s personality, but Rika says the other people would say that isn’t cute. Ishii-san thinks that it’s Rika’s individuality/personality for being like that and that is a lot like French people. Rika then says that she must have been a French person in her past life.
Rika mentions that she can’t be the good kid in the family. She often says selfish things and doesn’t say thank you right away. After a fight, she always wonders why she always says some snappy things and wants to make up, but can’t get the words out. Ishii replies that sometimes it’s like a joke, but the parents know that you are thankful and sorry even if you don’t say it, however, they will be really happy if you do say it. Rika mentions that only when she is sick that she tries to be a good girl and gets spoiled and gives an example of calling her mom and asking her to make some applesauce, etc. Ishii-san mentions that her mom used to make that for her too. However, normally, when they call and be like it’s about time we come for a visit, Rika replies curtly, no thanks. Ishii-san says that it’s the same with her daughter (Aren’t we all like this? Lol) As for Rika always being against the flow, Ishii-san doesn’t know too much about it, but in foreign countries it is good to give an opposite opinion or else other people will think you are a fool. Ishii-san says it is good to have opposite opinions and tells Rika not to worry.
Rika then mentions that Japanese people are strict (formal). Ishii-san mentions that if she can turn “amanojaku” into a constructive opinion, then it will be ok. Rika replies that when she often works with a lot older co-workers, she worries about other people thinking of her as being saucy. But it is because she thinks of that, she wants to tell it the other person. Ishii-san thinks that it is a good thing, but probably needs to work on her timing and her way of saying things. Rika thinks that is probably the reason; she wants to just say it and communication just doesn’t go through. Ishii-san replies that it is about technique and that ending with a polite please (onegaishimasu) would help. Rika thinks that she is absolutely correct.
After the talk: Rika now feels that she doesn’t need to fix it, just turn it into a positive way.
Question 2: What kind of lady is a mature (adult-like) lady?
After the talk: Rika felt that Ishii-san is a responsible person and felt that she is a mature lady, but she still wants to ask because she doesn’t know.
Ishii thinks that a woman should be able to be independent no matter where you go, but she feels this is not limited to women, but men as well. She feel that being independent is very important.
Narrator: She went to Finland to be independent and at age 29, started her own company.
When Ishii-san came back to Japan, she didn’t know what kind of job to do or how to even start using the illumination skills she learned to use in Japan.
Narrator: It was still time that Japan didn’t have illuminated buildings, so Ishii-san didn’t have any work, but she didn’t give up and tried to market building illumination.
Ishii-san didn’t know what she wanted to do in her 10’s and 20’s, but slowly she started to know what she wanted to do, but didn’t know where to start. In her 30’s she was still confused about what her job really was, but by 40’s she finally started to understand how to do her job. In her 50’s she finally was getting the hang of it. When she was in her 60’s she finally saw what she wanted to create, so she tells Rika that her journey is just starting.
After the talk: Rika always thought to hurry up grow up and learn things, but realized that she didn’t need to go that fast.
Ishii-san has prepared a dish that she wants Rika to try. Rika wonders what it is.
Narrator: Ishii-san went to Finland and often ate this, open sandwich. It is one slice of bread topped with various ingredients.
It is an easy dish to take home and eat. Rika asks if it is fish on top. Ishii confirms and Rika mentions it’s a bit like curry. Ishii-san asks Rika if she cooks. Rika replies that she didn’t need to, but she thought it was about time to learn. She never learned how to make miso soup and now when she does make food, she would call her mom to ask what ingredients are needed while at the supermarket. Ishii-san asks what her specialty dish is and Rika replies it is making curry from roux, but it is pre-made roux. Ishii-san asks if Rika calls her friends over to eat, but Rika doesn’t. Rika eats by herself and Ishii-san comments that is lonely. When she has leftovers, she sticks it in the fridge. Ishii-san comments that cooking is fun. Rika mentions that cooking for yourself allows you to cook to the taste you like.
Ishii-san asks Rika what her hobby is. Rika replies that she doesn’t really have a hobby. Ishii-san mentions that her hobby is reading. She would have about 30 books next to her bed. She loves going to bookstores. Rika asks if she reads before going to bed. Ishii-san replies that she has to read before going to bed, even if it’s just one page or two pages. On her days off, she would read books all day long. Rika then says if it’s ok to mention something very embarrassing.
Rika doesn’t often read books and the reason why she doesn’t read books is that she likes to be caught up in the world the book is in. She would imagine the world while reading, but when she reads a kanji (Chinese character) she doesn’t understand, she would be thrown back to reality. Ishii-san replies that it’s fine to just skip over those words. Rika says she does skip over them, but when she can’t imagine what that word means, she would get sick of reading. Ishii-san replies that it’s not related and it’s ok because it’s the overall context. She continues saying that if the book is interesting, you’ll get sucked in more and books are meant to be play time in another world.
There is a question that Rika really wants to ask. She says she has a dream of getting married in the future and has kids, but she wonders if it’s possible to work and be a wife/mother at the same time. Ishii-san says that her daughter is already in her 30’s, so it’s not she’s like being a mother to her.
After the talk: Back in the day, Ishii-san also had the same worry as Rika, but she thinks now that isn’t so much of a problem, yet it is still something to worry about.
When the kids were little, Ishii-san would pay attention to them, but work would always take precedence. She knows that has caused some sadness for them. Rika asks if Ishii-san had ever thought of stop working and focus completely on being a housewife. Ishii-san never thought about that. Her kid did ask her why she was always working and not at home, she replied that she was working before she was born and she came after. Rika comments that must be a shock for the kid with the kid asking if work was more important. Ishii-san replies that it’s because you are important and want to give a good future that I will work and the kid seems to be satisfied with the answer.
Rika mentions that this may be an odd question, but doing both seems to be really tough. Ishii-san says that when that time comes, you adjust your work and without becoming a housewife, it should be both the husband and wife participating in keeping the household together, so one should find somebody who is willing to do that. Ishii-san asks Rika what is her ideal type for a husband. Rika replies that he must be a tall, kind, and a generous person. Ishii-san thinks that that type of person is definitely around Rika somewhere. Rika wonders if that is true. Ishii-san comments that thinking of a prince is not good, but Rika does think of prince on a white horse. Ishii-san says that is a delusion and best stop thinking about a prince.
After the talk: Ishii-san says that it’s impossible for a prince like that to come. She feels that there isn’t somebody as handsome as that around and best be careful.
Ishii-san mentions that before marriage, you got to fall in love. Rika comments that while thinking about her position, is romance ok. Ishii-san replies that if you don’t fall in love it would be difficult to get married. Ishii-san continues asking Rika if she is the type who must have things go a certain way. Rika feels she isn’t very girly; she often thinks of being black or white and that there is no grey zone. She thinks this way at work and in private. She wonders if this is not good. Ishii-san thinks that a good part of Japanese culture is the many things in between, but it’s forgivable. (I’m missing the part right before she says it’s forgivable, so it’s a little out of context) Anyways, Ishii-san tells Rika that it’s good to have the experience of being a mother, but first is romance and choosing the right guy and that Rika won’t have a problem of finding guys.
After the talk: Rika has reflected on what Ishii-san said about kids, marriage, etc. She feels that if Ishii-san can do it, she can too; ideally of course.
Topic: [TV] Rika in Bijyo Hodan (recap added!) (Read 8104 times)