SUGI RYOTARO: Star and Volunteer

by Ishiguchi Sanae

Recently Eye-Ai was privileged to ask Sugi Ryotaro about his life and career. What follows are excerpts from his interview with our own Ishiguchi Sanae.

EYE-AI: In November of 2002, you starred in the play "Shimokitano Yataro." This year you'll be starring in "Tateshi Dampei."How would you like to perform this role?

SUGI RYOTARO: I first performed this role 18 years ago in 1985. Since then, I have performed it several times. I'm a little unsure how I can perform it so that my fans will feel satisfied, but I plan to approach it afresh, just like the first time I did it.

EYE-AI: I hear that you also do stage direction. What are some of the difficulties?

SUGI RYOTARO: At times I have performed the leading role and at the same time was director. From the very first day of the performance, I needed to have the eyes of a director and look at the entire stage. I had to focus my attention on many things like the movements of the other actors, the timing of the performance, the lighting, timing of the music, and the reaction of the audience. I would say for the first 10 days of the performance, my mind is focusing on the job of director, and it is after that when I can fully concentrate on my job as the leading role.

EYE-AI: When you play leading role, what are you looking out for?

SUGI RYOTARO: I like to follow the traditional way of being the lead star. For example, I choose everyone in the production, from the supporting actors and actresses to the staff. My job is to see that everyone's heart connects. If one of the actors gets sick or injured, or if the audience turnout is not good, I take all the responsibility. As the lead role, I am to make and preserve the peace among everyone. This is quite difficult. Normally, the staff members are kind and gentle, but once the production starts, they change and become severe. It's even scary being with them sometimes! Nevertheless, it is my job to make sure that the other staff members understand and accept when one staff member may be angry or difficult to work with.

EYE-AI: Up to now, your famous roles have been "Toyama no Kinsan"and "Kutsukake Tokijiro". Among all the shows you have been in, which one has meant the most to you?

SUGI RYOTARO: I remember all the productions and shows I have been in, but I would have to say that "Hairyo-zuma Shimatsu", "Chuji Goyotabi", and "Shimokita no Yataro", have meant the most. These three were all written by Nakae Yoshio Sensei. When he wrote these, he had my picture on his desk, and would be looking at it for several months as he wrote these pieces. Nakae Sensei even said, "The starring role for these pieces is you--Sugi Ryotaro."

EYE-AI: Among all the roles you have played in the past, which one have you identified with the most?

SUGI RYOTARO: Toyama no Kinsan. He is a person who hates injustice to the point where he sometimes causes friction. Kinsan steps in and fights on behalf of the weak people there is an overlap between Kinsan and me. I don't feel like I am playing the role of Kinsan, but that I am actually Kinsan.

EYE-AI: In 1965 you made your debut with Columbia Records. What prompted you to become a singer?

SUGI RYOTARO: Right when I graduated from junior high school, my parents were being pressured by debt collectors because my parents were guarantors for another person who was in debt. I thought I'd like to make money for my parents, and because I liked singing I thought it would be a good way to help them. Even though I was actually the youngest child and a little spoiled, in the bottom my heart, I felt like the oldest son.

EYE-AI: Please share with us about your newest song.

SUGI RYOTARO: I am a native of Kobe, and singing about Kobe was like making a new link between me and my hometown. Last April, my mother passed away. You could say that my mother had been my last remaining link with Kobe since my father and older sister are no longer alive. I thought all ties with Kobe were gone. However, by singing this song, if feels as if I'm once again tied with Kobe. At the same time, it feels as if Kobe hasn't completely recovered from the Great Hanshin Earthquake (which struck the city several years ago). I'm hoping that if people of the area can sing this song they will feel uplifted or invigorated.

EYE-AI: At your dinner shows and concerts, do you sing anything besides your regular songs? Is there a special genre?

SUGI RYOTARO: I don't have any special preference when it comes to genre. I'll sing anything from young people's songs to foreign songs.

EYE-AI: Among your numerous hit songs, which song has stuck in your heart?

SUGI RYOTARO: I'd say, "Sukima Kaze", the theme song for Toyama no Kinsan. At the beginning, the show did not have any theme song. I thought it would be good to have one. I was surprised when it gradually became a hit.

EYE-AI: Before, in Mito Komon, you played Suke-san. Now, your son is playing the role of Kaku-san in Mito Komon. How do you feel about that?

SUGI RYOTARO: I'm not going out of my way to help him. I'm looking at him from the point of a fellow actor as well as an audience member. I don't give him advice unless it's really necessary. I do not watch that many TV dramas, however, I do take the time to watch all of his dramas. I want him to become a full professional.

EYE-AI: As a veteran actor, what kind of advice would you like to give to your son?

SUGI RYOTARO: Preserving harmony is very important, so do not say anything to offend another person. However, there are times when you must say something strongly. Through the ups and downs of life, you develop yourself. In the world of show business, you need an unordinary outlook.

EYE-AI: Some see your son as a second generation actor who perhaps is riding on the coattails of his father. What would you say to him about this?

SUGI RYOTARO: Many people see second generation actors as benefitting from the success of their parents, and many of the second generation actors feel pressure because of this. They try to get rid of the pressure, but as a result, they don't develop. I would tell him, instead of trying to get rid of the pressure, it's better to accept the pressure. He should not be talking like other second generation actors who keep saying, "I must get rid of the pressure. "You must break out of your shell in order to become bigger. I would tell him that I'd like for him to be a person who is able to look at things from a different perspective. Show business talent is unfortunately not something that one can give to one's child.

EYE-AI: Your new drama, "Nagoya Butsudan Monogatari" is being aired now. What kind of role are you playing in that?

SUGI RYOTARO: I'm a Tokyoite, quick-tempered, and extremely sympathetic. I try to help the star (played by Kimura Yoshino) but I end up getting in the way. The person I play is so good-natured that it's hard to dislike him. He's like a clown.

EYE-AI: Which do you feel matches you more, modern roles or older jidaigeki type roles?

SUGI RYOTARO: I like modern roles, but I like the older jidaigeki roles better because they involve things like duty and making distinctions in life. I find myself more emotionally involved with the jidaigeki roles.

EYE-AI: Even from before the time you made your show business debut, you often visited prisons, and also made donations to underprivileged children. What lead you to become involved with such charity work?

SUGI RYOTARO: My mother's influence was quite great. She was a woman of strong faith. I learned things from her through everyday life. She did not teach me through words, but from her actions and attitudes. My mother, who sacrificed herself for our family, taught me to do things for others. That was the start of my charity work. I guess my entrance into charity was a natural result.

EYE-AI: You were given a special award by the Ministry of Justice for your prison work. What did your work involve?

SUGI RYOTARO: Looking at prisons nationwide, hearing reports from prison wardens, checking the taste and calorie count of meals served in the prisons, and giving advice to the prisoners appropriate for their age. I'd also exchange ideas about prison duties with the prison staff, give awards to mentors of troubled youth, and give speeches to the prisoners.

EYE-AI: You are currently the Director of the Japan-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Association. How did you become the Director?

SUGI RYOTARO: From 1983, I have been involved with charity work in the U.S. At that time I was planning a charity event for veterans of the Vietnam War. However, at that time the atmosphere and feeling among the people in the U.S. toward the Vietnam War didn't seem very favorable, so as a result, we weren't able to set up such an event. Then in 1986, when I was performing in China, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam invited me hold a charity concert in Vietnam. Through that relationship, a group to study Vietnam was started. In 1989, I was able to hold a charity show in Hanoi, and was able to meet the Prime Minister of Vietnam. From that time, the Japan-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Association was started.

EYE-AI: Many of the readers of Eye-Ai are Japanese-Americans in Hawaii. Do you have any plans for a concert in Hawaii in the near future?

SUGI RYOTARO: Not in the near future. In 1979, I held my first concert at the NBC Arena in Honolulu. I have had a total of four concerts in Hawaii.

EYE-AI: Could you share with us any interesting episode in Hawaii?

SUGI RYOTARO: In the past, Elvis performed at the NBC Arena. I was able to hold a charity concert there, and was the first Japanese performer to fill the arena. The Japanese people knew more about this "feat" than the local tour guides!

EYE-AI: What would you like to accomplish this year?

SUGI RYOTARO: Until now, I've done a lot of singing, and performing and appearing in TV dramas. Therefore, I'd like to try things which I haven't done before. For example, if my fame or prestige happens to increase, I'd like to appear in some sort of special movie. I also wouldn't mind playing a minor role in supporting a young star on stage.