Kana Muramoto & Daisuke Takahashi

[synesthesia]

Dai's new show "Kassouya" was a complete success: 8 of the 9 performances were sold out and the audience and press gave consistently gushing reviews .

Many clips and articles can be found in Dai’s fan fest, so I’ll just link a few videos here:

• Close-up of Kana and Dai during the opening sequence:
  
  https://twitter.com/anuzikry/status/1756686588950757748
  
  
  
• Kana’s solo to “Figure 8” (the song Dai chose for her):
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_6tnhEx6is
  
  Kana's thoughts about her solo: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3XoiILxeCf/?hl=de&img_index=1
  
  I think Kana’s solo was absolutely amazing despite her concern that she wouldn’t be able to “charm the audience” by herself. I found her solo performance just as captivating as those of her great idol Shae-Lynn Bourne-Turok.
  
  
  
• Dai’s “Flame to the moth” solo, choreographed by Pasquale Camerlengo:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6SblJ1AKdE

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Fan photos fom PIW in Shiga:

https://twitter.com/yo_photo_/status/1762007170525352253

https://twitter.com/sukeota/status/1761555216510624062

https://twitter.com/peanuts1960/status/1761363159242436799

https://twitter.com/96ooozSink/status/1761644779421778130

https://twitter.com/kar1shoma/status/1761635485502579027

https://twitter.com/purplearashi/status/1761658819594322251

https://twitter.com/22lunacat/status/1761375570129305614

https://twitter.com/AYAfsRR/status/1761321835340136872

https://twitter.com/mayuta_mayuta/status/1760987681339982258

https://twitter.com/naoko_1986/status/1761737382930665955

https://twitter.com/purplearashi/status/1761659777594298814





Kana and Dai did a twizzle sequence when they came out for the meet and greet:

https://twitter.com/LoveNatureWorld/status/1762333968924618879



They happily complied with requests to do the “Kassouya” pose (which is kind of the same as the Birds/Makeba starting pose) :

https://twitter.com/casablancaj22/status/1761389706053574807

Message (recorded before the performances in Shiga):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=ia92oagXcBLaBz0V&v=Pt23KxGKkMY&feature=youtu.be



JSports 4 will broadcast one of the Shiga performances on March 1, so we will get yet another video of Birds/Makeba!

_____________________​

Kana has started her work as SkyCourt overseas ambassador (since she is supposed to promote SkyCourt to international customers, Kana speaks English in this series ):

Introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d0cH7SntKg

Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsNiTHtv7is


(Kana-chan, I know you have a job to do, but this apartment is anything but spacious (maybe it is by Tokyo standards)! )




Dai’s new D-Color project is also taking shape:

https://www.d-color.tokyo/

 

[synesthesia]

JSports 4 will broadcast one of the Shiga performances on March 1, so we will get yet another video of Birds/Makeba!

As promised, here’s the KanaDai footage from yesterday’s PIW broadcast:

• Interview with Kana and Dai and shots of the cast collecting donations for the victims of the Noto earthquake (part of the show’s proceeds and the cast’s earnings went to the same cause):
  
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UJwqpiC5fnmibGvLC5Y-o8d6HNvkyN2T/view?usp=drive_link
  
  
  
  
• Birds/Makeba (many of the camera angles differ from the other recordings so far):
  
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UFsALSuMVM3-KslzYMB5v2tqAt0TzsCm/view?usp=drive_link

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This isn’t “new” news, but these splendid photo shoots deserve to be highlighted here.



The first one is the cover shoot for fashion magazine “anan” (the magazine also includes a 6-page feature on Kana and Dai + a postcard set). Even Piper Gilles couldn’t help but comment “Hot damn!! This is amazing!!” on Kana’s ig post :

• BTS of the photoshoot:
  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1_FS-Uhd0A/
  
  
  
• Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4838756542?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
  
  
  
• There’s also a two-part web article/interview:
  
  https://ananweb.jp/news/527607/
  
  https://ananweb.jp/news/527603/

The second one is the photo shoot for the March issue of Numero Tokyo, which was organised in conjunction with the publication of the KanaDai book – the magazine and the special edition of the book contain (partly the same and partly different) photos from this shoot:

• BTS of the photoshoot:
  
  https://www.instagram.com/p/C2hDsVvSWcP/
  
  
  
• Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0CPF21C4M?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

_____________________​

Food company Nichirei published an interview with Kana, in which she once again expressed her ambition to become a (world-class) choreographer:

https://circle.nichirei.co.jp/series/my-story/1


Machine translation:

There was always someone who believed in my ice dancing potential​

2024.03.01

#Stories that make connections

Just as the abundance of food and the logistics services that ensure a stable supply are supported by many hands, each and every one of us is supported by a 'karma' born from various encounters and unexpected encounters.

The 'My Story' section introduces stories focusing on 'connections' and 'food-related memories' experienced by people active in various fields, including activities supported by the Nichirei Group.


This time, we talked to Kana Muramoto, who has been active on the world stage, including at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, delivering the appeal of ice dance until her retirement as an ice dancer in 2023.



Kana Muramoto

Born in 1993. She started her career as a singles skater and switched to ice dance in 2014 with Hirokazu Noguchi as her partner. She then formed a couple with Chris Reed in June 2015 and won three consecutive All-Japan Championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017, a bronze medal at the Four Continents Championships in 2018 (first in Japanese ice dance history) and 15th place at the Pyeongchang Olympics (tied for highest Japanese ice dance finish).

From January 2020, she formed a couple with Daisuke Takahashi, and recorded a second place finish at the 2020 All-Japan Championships, a silver medal at the Four Continents Championships in January 2022 and 11th place at the 2023 World Championships (tied for the Japanese all-time record).

She retired from competition in May 2023 and continues to skate solo and as a couple with Daisuke Takahashi, working as a two-legged show skater.

____________________________​

Ms Muramoto and "Nichirei".

When I was in primary school, I practised in the summer at the Himeji Arena skating rink, which was operated by Nichirei at the time. I remember that it was my daily routine every morning to buy and eat Nichirei's 'grilled onigiri' from the vending machine in the building at the time. During my working days, I also valued food as an athlete, and I was indebted to Nichirei's frozen foods, which were easy and nutritious to eat.

____________________________​

Creating a 'story' together.


--What is the appeal of Ice Dance?

There are so many that it is difficult to sum them up in one word, but if I had to choose, I would say that the appeal of ice dancing lies in its 'technique' and 'beauty'.



--First, tell us about "technique".

In fact, ice dancing is packed with the 'fundamentals of figure skating'.

Modern ice dancing seems to have a lot of glamorous expressions and techniques, doesn't it? But among all four figure skating disciplines, ice dancing is the category that requires "fundamentals" in particular.

Figure skating is derived from the word 'figure' and developed from drawing figures precisely on the ice with the blades of skates. Even in modern ice dancing, the accuracy of the 'tracing', or the trajectory of the skater's run, is strictly judged. It is, in a sense, a discipline that traces the origins of figure skating.



--And then there is beauty.

Ice dancing is also known as "ballroom dancing on ice". If two skaters do not skate in unison, they will not score points. This is supported by a high level of technique, but it is also important to know what kind of story they want to tell.

What kind of performance structure will they use?
At what timing do you put in the lifts?
How do you organise the steps between lifts and spins?
Where do you want the two of them to look?
What do they want to express through such a series of movements?

For example, if the song is The Phantom of the Opera, it is relatively easy for the couple to decide on how they want to express themselves because there is a story to go with it.

But if it is classical music without lyrics or script, the couple has to build up the story from scratch. But the process of putting it together also has its own 'difficulties' and 'depth' because it is performed by two people.

I have my own story that I want to express. My partner also has his or her own story to express.

Sometimes they respect the other's ideas, sometimes they engage in heated debate, and sometimes they construct a single story. Because they think together and perform together, the story doubles and triples in size. Therefore, even the same song can seem like a different story for each pair.

This is the 'beauty of ice dance' that cannot be created by just one person.




The day I was welcomed by ice dancing


My first encounter with ice dance was when I was a sophomore at university.

My sister, who had been figure skating with me since we were children, decided to retire from active competition. The person with whom I had been in friendly competition for so long was leaving the active stage. It left a gaping hole in my heart.

In addition to that, it was a time when the competitive nature of figure skating was changing dramatically and more emphasis was being placed on more advanced jumps. This change was so big that I, who was never good at jumping, lost sight of the fun of figure skating.

It was at that time that I asked myself. 'Why don't you try ice dancing?' and I received an invitation to try out.

Actually, before that, I had been told by people around me that "I think you are suited to ice dance". But I couldn't picture myself doing ice dance at all. And I entered the university where I was studying because they had high expectations of and high regard for my performance in singles, so I myself was hesitant about changing categories while I was still a student there.

But everyone around me pushed me to do it. “Ice dance, you can do it!" They said.

I decided to switch to ice dance. My first competition was the West Japan Championships.

When I stood on the rink for the performance, the audience gave me a huge round of applause. Everyone was welcoming my challenge to ice dance. The warm applause made me feel that way.




The person who made me believe that there is nothing I can't do　


My life in ice dance began in this way, and I was truly blessed with "human connections".

One of the encounters that made me realise this was with Daisuke Takahashi, with whom I was partnered from 2020 to 2023.

Daisuke Takahashi, bronze medallist at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, continued his active career until 2014 before taking a break from active competition. He then returned to active competition at the age of 32 at the time and announced his switch to ice dance, retiring in May 2023.

When I coupled up with Daisuke Takahashi, I had no ambition at all to "aim for the Olympics" or "win international competitions". Rather, I genuinely wanted to create a piece of work together and thought that I could create something amazing with Daisuke Takahashi.

As a competitor, you are expected to achieve results in competitions.

However, I have always placed even greater importance on "wanting to give a performance that will remain in the memories of the audience".

Including these thoughts, Daisuke Takahashi and I both had the same things that we wanted to express and what we were aiming for. That's why we had three fulfilling seasons, and in our last season at the 2023 World Championships, I think everyone in the team, including the coach, was able to give a performance that could be called the culmination of our wholehearted efforts.

At the same time as my encounter with Daisuke Takahashi my view of life as a skater changed.

Actually, I had always thought that once I retired from active skating, I would never get another chance to be on the rink as a skater.

Athletes who have made it to the top of the world have the next shining stage: ice shows. But I was convinced that I was far from that chance. And moreover, the skater "Kana Muramoto" was widely known through ice dancing. As ice dancing is an event performed by a pair, it is not possible without a partner, and it is not always possible to get such an offer.

But that wasn’t the case. Daisuke Takahashi made me realise that “You are a skater who can express your work on your own!"

Those words pushed me to try my hand at performing in an ice show. In that first show, there were programmes with Daisuke Takahashi, Andrew Poje, Stéphane Lambiel and myself, but of course there were also programmes in which I performed by myself.

When I started ice dancing.
When I retired and moved on to the next stage of my career.
Whenever I was going through a difficult time or making a big decision, there was always someone who had my back.

For me, my ice dance career has been a story of connections.




From "performer" to "supporter"


Now that I have retired, I want to become a 'world-class choreographer'.

With the experience I gained as a competitor in pursuit of "how to express myself within strict rules".

After retiring, I experienced "ice dance with no rules and free expression" in ice shows.

And not only as a 'performer', but also as a 'supporter' who choreographs and arranges music, I am discovering new possibilities for expression in ice dance that I haven't even realised yet. That is why I myself am very excited about how I can choreograph and arrange skaters to make the most of their individuality, and how they can express themselves within the rules.

I would like to continue to bring the fascination of ice dance and figure skating to as many people as possible.

___________________​

Next show appearances:

• Bloom on Ice 2024 (April 20-21 in Kyoto): https://www.instagram.com/p/C3TY6Vbhh0x
  
  
• Prince Ice World (April 27-29 and May 3-5 in Yokohama): https://www.princeiceworld.com/posts/news/geeblt
  
  
• Hyoen 2024 (June 8-11 in Yokohama): https://hyoen.jp/
  
  
• Friends on Ice 2024 (Aug. 30 - Sept. 1 in Yokohama): https://friendsonice.com/

 

[demarinis5]

Thank you for the treasurer trove of KanaDai goodies!! Kana and Dai look so glamorous and elegant, Kana in that beautiful blue dress and Dai oh my handsome and resplendent in black!

 

[demarinis5]

Wishing Kana a Very Happy Birthday Today!!!

 

[synesthesia]

Dear Kana-chan,

I wish you a wonderful birthday with your loved ones and that you stay healthy and will be able to realise all your dreams. I am very excited about your future path as a pro skater and choreographer and about all the endeavours and adventures you will share with us. ️

Here's some lovely fan art:

 

[synesthesia]

Pictures from Kana-chan's birthday party (she was joined by Takuya Matsuura (from Lace up gym), Yuma Suzuki, Tatsuya Lacey (from Lace up gym), Koyo Yanai, Dai-chan, Hiroko, Yoshiyuki Shintaku (Yoshi from Junkunit) and Sayuri Sugiura):

Kana Muramoto on Instagram: "2024.03.03🌸 たくさんの誕生日メッセージありがとうございました！🌸 Cheers to another year full of amazing adventures , laughter, growth, self-love, happiness and unforgettable memories 🤍 #🌸 #🎎 #🎂"

3,968 likes, 61 comments - k.a.n.a.m.u.r.aMarch 6, 2024 on : "2024.03.03🌸 たくさんの誕生日メッセージありがとうございました！🌸 Cheers to another year full of amazing adv..."

www.instagram.com

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Japanese rhythmic gymnastics team "Fairy Japan" are performing their new hoop routine to Maïa Barouh's version of "Soran Bushi":

https://twitter.com/AkiAqui/status/1765405616171057267

I wonder, if that choice was inspired by KanaDai since I believe Maïa's rendition of the song wasn't that widely known before they used it.

 

[synesthesia]

Kana and Dai attended an alumni meeting at the Tokyo branch of the Kansai University Alumni Association (they both moved to Tokyo last year):

The "2024 Kansai University Alumni Association Tokyo Branch General Meeting - Reception" was held.

On 9 March, the General Meeting and Reception of the Tokyo Branch of the Kansai University Alumni Association was held in a grand manner at the Kansai University Tokyo Centre!

The first part (General Meeting) started with the singing of the school song, followed by speeches from the Alumni Association branch presidents and guest representatives, and reports on recent developments at the alma mater and Alumni Association activities, and then a special talk show was held.

Special alumni guests Daisuke Takahashi and Kana Muramoto were invited to talk about "Figure Skating - the joy of skating and watching". The behind-the-scenes stories and Q&A session were lively, and during the commemorative photo session, the two of them responded with smiles to snaps of each table as well as the whole picture.

The second part (reception) started with a toast, followed by lunch, introductions of first-time alumni and a fun raffle. Special prizes for the raffle included photo books and autographs of the Kanadai pair. There was a great deal of cheering. In addition, dorayaki (branded with the school emblem) and octopus patty in packages with photos of the two of them were distributed as souvenirs, making the general meeting and social gathering a highly satisfying event.

This year's gathering of around 70 alumni, including more than 20 first-time participants, showed a renewed vitality of the Kansai University network in the Tokyo metropolitan area after Corona, and we look forward to even more activities in the future. Kansai University Tokyo Center will continue to support the activities of the Alumni Association branch. Alumni living in the Kanto region are encouraged to contact us.

_________________​

They visited Georgie Ichikawa's first solo art exhibition:

_________________​

Kana and floor dancer/choreographer Sarry (who co-choreographed KanaDai’s “Conga” RD) performed part of the floor version of “Figure 8” together :

Kana Muramoto on Instagram: "THANKYOU SARRY ❤️‍🔥 滑走屋で披露となったソロプロ振り付けは去年5月に始まり、元々は滑走屋と関係なく一つソロプロをつくろう！となってサリーちゃんにオファー。 それからプロジェクトが進み、滑走屋で滑る事になり、プロスケーターとしての初ソロプロとなったFigure 8。♾️ 女性の強さ、儚さ、美しさ、永遠をテーマに一つのプログラムが完成しました🖤 そして、先日サリーちゃん日本一時帰国のタイミングで前半を2人で限られた時間の中

2,392 likes, 34 comments - k.a.n.a.m.u.r.aMarch 18, 2024 on : "THANKYOU SARRY ❤️‍🔥 滑走屋で披露となったソロプロ振り付けは去年5月に始まり、元々は滑走屋と関�...".

www.instagram.com

I think, I like the floor version even better than the skating one!


Machine translation of Kana's post:

The solo pro choreography that was performed at Kassouya started in May last year. Originally it was “Let's make a solo professional”, and wasn’t related to Kassouya So I made an offer to Sarry.

The project then progressed and I ended up skating it at Kassouya, making “Figure 8” my first solo pro as a professional skater.

The programme is based on the theme of female strength, fragility, beauty and eternity.

Then, the other day, when Sarry was temporarily returning to Japan, we did the first half of the floor version in a limited amount of time with the two of us expressing what we wanted to express using sound and our bodies, sometimes alone, sometimes together, with no rules.

The more we pursued it, the deeper it got and it was really fun.

Thank you Sarry!

__________________________​

The photo and costume exhibition that was held at the “Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi“ book store in Tokyo from January 31 to February 13 to mark the publication of the official KanaDai book hadn’t been covered in the fan fest yet:

https://www.eslitespectrum.jp/news/d38a8a0b-bfa7-4f80-b0ca-7198276b9518

https://twitter.com/fskating_Life/status/1752349745862037603



Costume designers Taketoshi Hara and Minako Orihara preparing the "Soran bushi" and PotO costumes for the exhibition:

https://twitter.com/fskating_Life/status/1752496014005862682


A few close-ups:

• Christine: https://twitter.com/banana_no_kawa/status/1760925405073363346
  
  
• The Phantom: https://twitter.com/banana_no_kawa/status/1760663504892420390
  
  
• Kana’s “Soran bushi” costume: https://twitter.com/banana_no_kawa/status/1760289630682050825
  
  
• Dai’s “Soran bushi” costume: https://twitter.com/banana_no_kawa/status/1759896461444264032

 

[synesthesia]

Kana and Dai working out at Laceup gym to get in shape for the upcoming April shows :

Kana Muramoto on Instagram: "⠀ LACE UP 合トレwith @d1sk_t 🔥 Thanks @laceytrainer 💪🏻 #workout #かなだい #合トレ"

2,403 likes, 29 comments - k.a.n.a.m.u.r.a on March 27, 2024: "⠀ LACE UP 合トレwith @d1sk_t 🔥 Thanks @laceytrainer 💪🏻 #workout #かなだい #合トレ"

www.instagram.com

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KanaDai promo for the upcoming PIW shows in Yokohama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2kO65NaSpc

____________________________

​

Kana was a guest on Shizuka's "Friends+α" talkshow in January - I missed the initial broadcast, but managed to record the re-broadcast on March 21st :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15wGy3b675Z0Lf0FPZYJrZ2eNXPzTzsH8/view?usp=sharing


Daisuke was featured on March 28 - I will post his episode in his fan fest.

____________________________​

Food company Nichirei published an interview with Kana, in which she once again expressed her ambition to become a (world-class) choreographer:

https://circle.nichirei.co.jp/series/my-story/1

Kana has already begun to establish herself as a choreographer. As was discussed in this fan fest before she worked with Hana Yoshida in the past. Recently she added show programs for Shizuka, Koshiro, Mao Shimada and Kaori to her résumé!

• Shizuka debuted her program to music from the "The dragon and the freckled princess" soundtrack at FoI last year (starting at 1:57:30):
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fr46sd2XAl4ahWtRT37xeaTpsTnZH4ii/view?usp=drive_link
  
  
• Koshiro was to debut his new show program at Kassouya (unfortunately he caught a cold and couldn't perform). Asfaik details about the song or genre haven't been revealed yet.
  
  
• Mao Shimada has used her "Champion" (Bishop Briggs) exhibition throughout the season and also performed it at SOI last weekend: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yVhfXLMXrP--g8Dgdl2zJcEnmPLpVGOS/view?usp=sharing
  
  
• Kaori debuted her exhibition to "Poison" by Freya Ridings at SOI:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J2SnjSHeRV_c2NtuE5FldJqALRAhk-hy/view?usp=sharing
  
  

____________________________​

Kana has started her work as SkyCourt overseas ambassador (since she is supposed to promote SkyCourt to international customers, Kana speaks English in this series ):

Introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d0cH7SntKg

Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsNiTHtv7is

A new episode was published on Sky Court's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSIWcmPeya8

____________________________​

Dai’s new D-Color project is also taking shape:

https://www.d-color.tokyo/

Apparently the 3rd D-Color project (which was launched to mark Sky Court's 55th anniversary) is already completed and Dai is going to reveal images of and talk about the renovated property at a press conference tomorrow:

プロフィギュアスケーター高橋大輔氏による完成発表会見のご案内（報道関係者限定）

スカイコート株式会社のプレスリリース（2024年4月2日 17時11分）プロフィギュアスケーター高橋大輔氏による完成発表会見のご案内（報道関係者限定）

prtimes.jp

____________________________​

The "Rinkai Sports Center 50th anniversary exhibition", where Kana and Dai performed shortly after their retirement last year and where a surprise retirement ceremony was held for them was rebroadcast last Sunday. (I had missed the initial broadcast and am happy I got around to record it this time. )


Interview + Love goes + Soran Bushi encore :




Finale + Retirement ceremony :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vpFEWLdQiHK6AZITKnLxQmvyEaX20Mzv/view?usp=sharing

____________________________​

 

[synesthesia]

Kana has already begun to establish herself as a choreographer. As was discussed in this fan fest before she worked with Hana Yoshida in the past. Recently she added show programs for Shizuka, Koshiro, Mao Shimada and Kaori to her résumé!

• Kaori debuted her exhibition to "Poison" by Freya Ridings at SOI:
  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J2SnjSHeRV_c2NtuE5FldJqALRAhk-hy/view?usp=sharing

​

I choreographed Kaori's new Ex-pro ​

I've been wanting someone to skate Poison by singer Freya Ridings for a long time. I've been thinking about it, and when Kao-chan offered it to me, I didn't hesitate. wow. ！！！！ I still remember the moment when I thought, "This is it. I still remember that moment. ​

I felt the joy of the process of creating one piece together when I was ice dancing, but when you are on the choreographer's side, it's a new aspect, and it's really moving when you overcome each process and see the moment when everything takes shape.​

Thank you, Kao-chan!​

And congratulations on winning the World Championships for the 3rd year in a row!​

THANKYOU Kaori for trusting my vision​

My journey as a choreographer has been very special and I can’t wait to show all the creations I have been working on this new season ​

​

​

​

________________________​

​

​

​

Apparently the 3rd D-Color project (which was launched to mark Sky Court's 55th anniversary) is already completed and Dai is going to reveal images of and talk about the renovated property at a press conference tomorrow:

高橋大輔、フルリノベーションしたマンションを公開　スタッフにさりげない“神フォロー”も

ニュース｜　プロフィギュアスケーターの高橋大輔が5日、都内で行われた「スカイコート創業55周年プロジェクト『高橋大輔によるリノベ物件完成発表会見』」に出席した。　同社の公式アンバサダーを務める高橋は、トータルコーディネーターとして「D-color」プロジェクトを率いる。同プロジェクトの第3弾では、デザイナーとしてマンションをフルリノベーションした。　今回のテーマは「かこみ」。「圧迫感のない開放感のある空間」をつくるため、グレーを基調としてデザインした。「色の配色については、こだわった」そうで、サクラ色のタイルや薄紅藤色が空気を染め、鮮やかなミモザ色が空間のアクセントになっている。

www.oricon.co.jp

【フィギュア】高橋大輔さん、マンション１室フルリノベーション　アイデア膨らませる秘訣とは - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

プロフィギュアスケーター高橋大輔さん（38）が5日、不動産の賃貸や仲介を担うスカイコート株式会社の創業55周年記念プロジェクト発表会見に出席した。公式アンバサ… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

 

[synesthesia]

Most character visuals for the new Hyoen production based on Kenji Miyazawa's fantasy novel "Night on the galactic railroad", to take place in June, were released today. This is Kana's visual, looking very pure and almost fairy-like (it hasn't been revealed yet which character she is playing - I'm looking forward to finding out):




https://hyoen.jp/cast.html

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Kana and Dai, as well as Yuma Suzuki (who created the ensemble choreographies for "Kassouya") and mutual friend Sayuri Sugiura, watched the "Romeo + Juliet" production by British dance-theatre company "New Adventures" together:

 

[synesthesia]

There was an open rehearsal and press conference for "Bloom on ice" today:

【フィギュア】「かなだい」高橋大輔さん＆村元哉中さん「一緒に盛り上げて」ブルームオンアイス - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケートのアイスショー「ブルーム・オン・アイス」（20、21日、木下アカデミー京都アイスアリーナ）に向けて19日、同会場で公開リハーサルと会見が行わ… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

An open rehearsal and press conference was held at the same venue on 19 April in preparation for the figure skating ice show 'Bloom on Ice' (20-21 April, Kinoshita Academy Kyoto Ice Arena).

The show is set up in a rink with seating inside. Special guest Kana Muramoto (31) expressed the appeal of the show, saying: "It's not often you get to do an ice show in a place where academy students are sweating and crying during practice."

Daisuke Takahashi (38) said, "We performed for the first time last year and everyone was fresh and lively, and the audience was also lively." Regarding the highlights, he said, ``It's everything. Everything from beginning to end.''

The duo performed the African-inspired 'Birds, Makeba' this time. Ms Muramoto appealed to the fans, saying: 'I think we can get excited together with the audience."

A snippet of the group number with Kana, Dai, Mao, Mone, Hana, Ikura and Shunsuke was shown on tv:

https://twitter.com/luv_letter1212/status/1781256965450236272

Lovely shot of KanaDai during the group number:




Several rehearsal photos (also feat. Cathy Reed, who choreographed the show ):

 

[synesthesia]

Cuties :






1st show, group number:





Photos of Birds/Makeba:

https://twitter.com/p0pkag/status/1781574861326102910

Fan pictures, finale:

https://twitter.com/nonkimama3/status/1781561084555804884

https://twitter.com/nonkimama3/status/1781565379070075007

 

[demarinis5]

Kana and Dai look great! Thanks syn for all of the updates!!

 

[synesthesia]

Koshiro Shimada debuted his new exhibition program to Lukas Graham’s “Not a damn thing changed”, originally choreographed by Kana for “Kassouya”, at "Bloom on Ice". The song was initially chosen by Dai to go in sequence with the subsequent group number to Ethan Bortnick’s “Cut my fingers off”, the linking element being the chair and a similar atmosphere:

[link removed]

Fingers crossed a “complete” Kassouya with all programs in the intended sequence can be presented in the near future!




KanaDai's "Birds/Makeba" performance, Sunday matinee (I think their unison has visibly improved):

[link removed]



As always with videos taken from paid streams, I will take them down after a few days.

 

[synesthesia]

Based on Kana's latest instagram-reel, here's the complete list of her choreographies that were showcased at Bloom on Ice (her body of work is already shaping up nicely after such a short time):

• Reina Kawakatsu - Alice In Wonderland
• Sumika Kanazawa - The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun
• Riria Kono - Scheherezade
• Ikura Kushida - Fearless
• Shunsuke Nakamura - Kings
• Koshiro Shimada – Not a damn thing changed
• Mao Shimada - Champion

Love this picture of Kana, Dai and Satsuki from Kana's BOI reel :





Kana and Dai with Sumitada :

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ETA:

Promo for Friends on Ice ( at Dai):

【公式】Friends on Ice 2024 on Instagram: "\\現在各プレイガイドにてチケット発売中！！！// #friendsonice2024 #foi2024 #荒川静香 #フィギュアスケート #アイスショー"

1,817 likes, 17 comments - foi2024_official_account on April 20, 2024: "\\現在各プレイガイドにてチケット発売中！！！// #friendsonice2024 #foi2024 #荒川静香 #フィギュアスケー�...".

www.instagram.com

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[synesthesia]

Kana and Dai debuted a new exhibition number at PIW today - according to fan reports and news articles it's a stylish program to the song "Symmetry" by SYML and includes several new lifts! I wonder, if this is the number Kaitlyn choreographed for them last year. (Unfortunately we'll have to wait until the broadcast on May 18 to see the program. ) Anyway, imo the song and the costumes are awesome!

This article contains a couple of fantastic photos :

https://twitter.com/Daily_Online/status/1784115993327050927

“かなだい”黒と白の衣装で世界観表現　「Ｓｙｍｍｅｔｒｙ」熱演　華麗なリフトなどで魅了 - スポーツ報知

フィギュアスケートのアイスショー「プリンスアイスワールド横浜公演」が２７日、ＫＯＳＥ新横浜スケートセンターで開催され、昨年５月に引退したアイスダンスの村元哉中さん、高橋大輔さんの“かなだい”組が登場

hochi.news

かなだい「結構レア」2人で振り付け「Symmetry」披露　プリンスアイスワールド - スポニチ Sponichi Annex スポーツ

フィギュアスケートのアイスショー「プリンスアイスワールド」の横浜公演が27日、KOSE新横浜スケートセンターで開催された。

www.sponichi.co.jp

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​

The Hyoen synopsis has been updated in the course of which Kana's role is also described. The story has been changed considerably from the source material to include a third main character "Yuki", played by Kana. "Kakeru" is played by Dai and "Tokio" by musical actor/singer Ryunosuke Onoda. Even if the base story differs from Kenji Miyazawa's "Night on the Galactic Railroad", the original theme of "death and soul rebirth" seems to be intact.

氷艶

氷艶2024 -十字星のキセキ-　2024年6月8・9・10・11日　横浜アリーナ

hyoen.jp

Translation of the synopsis:

Tokio, Kakeru and Yuki are childhood friends. The three have their own dreams for the future. Kakeru is obsessed with meteorites and wants to become a mineralogist, Tokio wants to become an aerospace scientist who develops a rocket to carry Kakeru, and Yuki wants to become a world-famous ballerina and dance in Swan Lake. They promise to fulfil their respective dreams and to remain cherished friends together forever.​

​

Eventually, the three grow up and Tokio and Kakeru fulfil their dreams. However, Yuki falls ill and has to give up her dream of becoming a ballerina. Kakeru marries Yuki to support her. However, Tokio, who does not know about Yuki's illness or the true reason for their marriage, feels betrayed by Yuki, who has given up on her dream, and Kakeru, who tries to be there for Yuki, and the relationship between the three, which they believed would never break down, begins to waver.​

​

Tokio wants to go ahead with the space development project with Kakeru, but he solicits reckless investments and is deceived by dubious investors. Tokio unintentionally takes his stormy feelings out on Kakeru, but Kakeru is also angry with Tokio. He tells him that Yuki died while you were blinded by your success. Kakeru shoves the upset Tokio away and leaves. However, soon after, even Kakeru loses his life in an accident.​

​

Tokio is tormented by the guilt that he is the one who killed Kakeru. In desperation, he dazedly jumps off the train platform. ......​

​

When he gets to ......, Tokio finds himself on a train running through the galaxy. On his side, Kakeru is smiling at him.​

​

'Let's go, Tokio, to the galaxy!'​

​

Tokio is invited by Kakeru to set off on a journey to the shining galaxy. He sets off for the terminal station, the Southern Cross, the Cross Star. ......​

__________________________​

In her latest Sky Court room tour Kana explored the apartment, which was renovated by Dai-chan :

ãKana's Channel ï¼ã#5 Room Tourï¼MIDIAS SKY CORT AKASAKAï¼/ã«ã¼ã ãã¢ã¼ï¼ããã£ã¢ã¹ã¹ã«ã¤ã³ã¼ã赤åï¼é«æ©å¤§è¼æ° ãªããã¼ã·ã§ã³ç©ä»¶ï¼

ã覧ããã ããããã¨ããããã¾ãï¼ãã£ã³ãã«ç»é²ãè³æè«æ±çãååãã¯ä¸è¨URLãããé¡ãè´ãã¾ãï¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼â¼æ°åæ¡ç¨ã«ã¤ãã¦ã¯ãã¡ãhttps://www.skyc.jp/recruit/new/â¼ãªã¯ããæ°åæ¡ç¨ãã¼ã¸https://job.rikunabi.com/2023/co...

www.youtube.com

And here's Dai's own presentation of the apartment in Japanese:

ããD-colorãããã¸ã§ã¯ã第ä¸å¼¾ãã¹ã«ã¤ã³ã¼ãåµæ¥55å¨å¹´è¨å¿µããã¸ã§ã¯ããé«æ©å¤§è¼ãã¶ã¤ã³ããã«ãªããã¼ã·ã§ã³ç©ä»¶ã«ã¼ã ãã¢ã¼

ã覧ããã ããããã¨ããããã¾ãï¼ãã£ã³ãã«ç»é²ãè³æè«æ±çãååãã¯ä¸è¨URLãããé¡ãè´ãã¾ãï¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼â¼æ°åæ¡ç¨ã«ã¤ãã¦ã¯ãã¡ãhttps://www.skyc.jp/recruit/new/â¼ãªã¯ããæ°åæ¡ç¨ãã¼ã¸https://job.rikunabi.com/2023/co...

www.youtube.com

Another video of the press conference at which the completed property was initially presented:

ããD-colorãããã¸ã§ã¯ã第ä¸å¼¾ãã¹ã«ã¤ã³ã¼ãåµæ¥55å¨å¹´è¨å¿µããã¸ã§ã¯ããé«æ©å¤§è¼ãã¶ã¤ã³ããã«ãªããã¼ã·ã§ã³ç©ä»¶ãè¨èä¼è¦

ã覧ããã ããããã¨ããããã¾ãï¼ãã£ã³ãã«ç»é²ãè³æè«æ±çãååãã¯ä¸è¨URLãããé¡ãè´ãã¾ãï¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼ã¼â¼æ°åæ¡ç¨ã«ã¤ãã¦ã¯ãã¡ãhttps://www.skyc.jp/recruit/new/â¼ãªã¯ããæ°åæ¡ç¨ãã¼ã¸https://job.rikunabi.com/2023/co...

www.youtube.com

 

[synesthesia]

We don't have to wait until May 18 - here's a video (not the entire program, but long excerpts)!!!




Oh my, this program is stunning (such a beautiful rotational lift too)!



ETA:

At the press conference Dai revealed that he and Kana choreographed the program together! (With this result I'm incredibly happy Dai gave it a shot despite his concerns that he wouldn't be good at creating choreography.)

https://twitter.com/oricon/status/1784139515977957816

Gorgeous photos from Mainichi:





And more from Sponichi:

スポニチ写真映像部公式インスタグラム on Instagram: "〈プリンスアイスワールド横浜公演〉 Symmetry　村元哉中&高橋大輔（撮影・長久保　豊）"

366 likes, 1 comments - sponichitokyophoto on April 27, 2024: "〈プリンスアイスワールド横浜公演〉 Symmetry　村元哉中&高橋大輔（撮影・長久保　豊）".

www.instagram.com

​

 

[synesthesia]

Daisuke Takahashi: "This is the first time I've choreographed something with Kana-chan," "It's pretty rare."​

“かなだい”が幻想的な「Ｓｙｍｍｅｔｒｙ」で沸かす　高橋大輔さん「初めて哉中ちゃんと２人で振り付けた」「結構レアです」/デイリースポーツ online

フィギュアスケートのアイスショー「プリンスアイスワールド　２０２４－２０２５『Ａ　ＮＥＷ　ＰＲＯＧＲＥＳＳ　～ＢＲＯＡＤＷＡＹ　ＲＯＣＫＳ！～』」の横浜公演が２７日、ＫＯＳＥ新横浜スケートセンターで開幕した。“かなだい”こと村元哉中さん、高...

www.daily.co.jp

Fan pictures taken at the meet & greet (thx everyone for sharing) :