Actress Mai Fukagawa has been remarkably active since her graduation from Nogizaka46. She has starred in her first drama series and appeared in a morning TV series, and her momentum shows no signs of slowing down. In this issue, we take a close-up look not at her on screen, but at her as a model. With the keyword "water" as the focus, we looked at a new side of her that she has never shown before and the appeal of her flexible expression.
(Haiku) Knit vest ¥29,000+TAX, long shirt ¥38,000+TAX, pleated dress ¥52,000+TAX, pants ¥25,000+TAX (all at BOWL'S 03-3719-1239), Nike Sportswear sneakers ¥10,000+TAX (Nike Customer Service 0120-6453-77)
MIKIO SAKABE] jacket ¥80,000+TAX, pants ¥38,000+TAX (both MIKIO SAKABE 03-6279-2898), [NAME] polo shirt ¥18,000+TAX (BEAMS Women Shibuya 03-3780-5501)
(M.I.U.) jacket worn backwards ¥58,000+TAX (M.I.U. 03-5457-2166), (Laurus) border T-shirt ¥6,300+TAX (Jack of All Trades Press Room 03-3401-5001)
Roseanna] coat ¥98,000+TAX (Publix Aoyama 03-6427-4335), [Steven Tai] dress ¥45,000+TAX (Beams Women's Shibuya 03-3780-5501), [k3&co. GRAMICCI×k3&co.] sandals ¥23,000+TAX (both K3 Office 03-3464-5357), other personal effects of stylist
Jane Smith T-shirt ¥10,000+TAX (UTS PR 03-6427-1030)
Graphpaper] Dress ¥36,000+TAX (Graphpaper 03-6418-9402)
Interview With Mai Fukagawa
Mai Fukagawa's "watery" charm.
The keyword "water" came up in the fashion shoot because of Ms. Fukagawa's transparent character and the character of her last name, Fukagawa.
deep riverIt was a new experience for me, as I had not often been asked to construct a composition by associating it with keywords and images. Also, I was able to experience the first snowfall, so I felt like a child again, lying on the snow.
Based on the keyword "water," we further proceeded with the theme of "snow melting into a river and spring coming. To create a spring-like image, we tried to use a lot of vivid styling. How did you feel when you actually wore the clothes?
deep riverI was very excited to be able to wear a variety of clothes! I wore clothes that were bright and totally different in shape and taste, so my feelings changed every time I changed.
Was there any styling that you particularly liked?
deep riverFor example, the all-white outfit was fun because it was like becoming one with the snow, and the brown outfit was a little more masculine and fresh. I also wore my hair up in a bun, which is something I would never normally do.
How did you feel going into the shoot?
deep riverI tried not to be too formal or composed, and I did not think about how I would be portrayed in the photos. Mr. Otsuji, the photographer, did not ask me to "smile" or "be conscious of the camera," so I felt as if I was just standing there.
You mentioned Mr. Otsuji's name as a photographer you would like to work with.
deep riverThat's right. I have been sneaking a look at your photos for a long time (laughs). (Laughs.) I have always loved Otsuji's pale, clear photographs, so I was very happy to have my wish come true this time.
We shot the film at Motosu Lake, one of the Fuji Five Lakes. Fuji, so was it a little familiar to you?
deep riverFuji is a bit far away from where I lived in Iwata City, which is located near Nagoya, and it takes about an hour to get out to Shizuoka City. I had never climbed Mt. Fuji, and even though I would like to do so someday, I never had the chance to do so. Fuji, but I was not able to be a member of the group.
It was during the 10th single hit prayer, "What's the Blue Sky", wasn't it? I wanted to ask you about an episode related to the keyword "water." Speaking of water in Nogizaka46's activities, I was impressed by your visit to a waterfall in Okinawa for the hit prayer for your 7th single "Baretta.
deep riverFor some reason, people around me thought it looked easy, but it was really hard work because there was so much water that I couldn't breathe on my back (laughs)! Also, speaking of daily "water" episodes, water is probably more indispensable for me than for other people. I usually drink only water, not juice, and I try to soak myself in the bath every day.
I see. I certainly felt that the charm of Ms. Fukagawa that fans are attracted to lies in her everyday, somewhat familiar, watery suppleness.
I found a new me through the activities of Nogizaka46.
You are currently starring in the drama series "Nihon Boro Yado Kiko" ("Japan Boro Yado Travels"). Do you travel a lot?
deep riverOutside of work, I haven't been able to go very far. Now I want to go to Thailand alone, and I am researching the people around me. Mamuang-chan (a character drawn by illustrator Wisut Ponnimit) has a store in Thailand, and I want to go there!
You also like painting, don't you? Are there any other places you would like to go alone?
deep riverI've been told that it is better to challenge yourself from a safe place, so I would like to visit New York. There are many museums, and I have heard that people from various ethnic backgrounds are friendly even if they are not fluent in English. I would also like to visit India alone in the future, although it is a hurdle for me at the moment.
It is said that some people's view of life changes when they visit India, and I believe that Ms. Fukagawa is a very sensitive person, and in that sense, India may be the perfect place for her.
deep riverI would like to visit there at least once in my life! I had the opportunity to visit France on business before, and the way the people living there use their time is completely different from the Japanese. They don't work overtime, and after work, they sit on the Seine and talk with their friends and loved ones. I was moved by the difference in sensibilities from the Japanese and by the world full of things I didn't know.
What are you doing on your days off these days?
deep riverUntil last month, I was shooting a morning drama, so on days when I finished work early, I often wandered around the streets of Osaka. I have a technician who knows some good restaurants, so I would ask him about them and go out to eat, or go to see a movie by myself.
I see that you also go to the movies by yourself. What else are you into?
deep riverI like to make small things that I can do without thinking. The other day I made a Turkish lamp. I am also thinking of learning a new Japanese dance this year.
Why is that again!
deep riverI plan to learn it as a hobby, but I have always said that I want to do period dramas, so I hope that the gestures and the way I look when wearing a kimono will eventually come in handy for my work. I would also like to try a different kind of dance than the one I did during my time in Nogizaka.
It is true that period dramas seem to suit you. Have you wanted to be an actress since you were in Nogizaka?
deep riverI found the process of making music videos and individual music videos and the stage work, which was difficult, to be rewarding along the way. I fell in love with video work because of the group's music videos.
When you were in Nogizaka, each single had a personal PV, and you had many opportunities to work with visual images.
deep riverIt is easy to reach the eyes of everyone who supports me, and I thought it would be a job that I could continue no matter how old I get. There is also the fun of expressing something that is unique to you at that time, so I thought I would like to actively continue working as an actress.
I see.
deep riverSome of them were in variety shows, some modeled, some wrote books, and some did radio. I had the opportunity to experience many different things, and as I went through these activities, I narrowed down my own path.
Last year you starred in the movie "Pan, Bus, and the Second Time Hatsukoi (Pan Bus)," and now you are starring in "Boro Yado (Rags to Riches)," as well as appearing in the morning TV series "Manpuku," and there is another movie coming out in the spring. It seems that things have been going very well since your graduation from Nogizaka46.
deep riverIt's good that things seem to be going so well! I'm anxious about the anxiety, though.
Fans are happy when they see active activities.
deep riverSuch voices are my encouragement.
In "Pan Bus" you played an indifferent role, but in this "Rags to Riches" you have quite a lot of emotional ups and downs, and in "Manpuku" you speak with a Kansai dialect, and your wide range of acting really shines through. I think you have a watery charm that allows you to be anything you want to be.
deep riverThank you very much! Pan Bus" is a film that seems to be a slice of everyday life, and director Imaizumi directed it in such a way as to "hold back a bit" and "be strong here. No major incident occurs in the story, but it is very realistic. On the other hand, there are five directors for "Rags to Riches" in the 12 episodes. Each director had a different directional style, but they were able to bring out various aspects of the story. It was the first time for me to play a role that had such ups and downs, or to be so outspoken to others, so it was a lot of fun.
Indeed, the yelling scene in the first episode was shocking and a new aspect for fans. Mr. Fukagawa, which of your characters are you closer to in "Panbus," "Rags to Riches," or "Manpuku"?
deep riverIt's difficult to say, but "Pambas" is close. I used to be an artist, and our circumstances are close.
Ms. Fukagawa, who is well known as the "Holy Mother," doesn't usually yell at people, does she?
deep riverThat's right (laughs). That's why I had a hard time with the final scene in the first episode of "Rags to Riches". It was probably the most time-consuming scene in all 12 episodes.
I'm sure many of you will make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, or actually go to the filming location.
deep riverSome of the inns are going out of business next year... There were many nice places, and I hope you will visit them!
Finally, do you have a message for your fans and the readers of HOUYHNHNM's?
deep riverI hope that through the screen, my activities will be conveyed to my fans and many other people, and that I will be able to influence them in some small way. Thank you for your continued support!
Mai Fukagawa
Born in 1991 in Shizuoka Prefecture. As an early member of Nogizaka46, she became a leader of the group with many hits. She graduated from the group in 2016 to focus on her acting career. In 2005, she played her first leading role in the stage play "Skip," and in '18, she won the TAMA Film Award for Best Up-and-Coming Actress for the movie "Pan to Bus to Nida no Hatsukoi."' In 1919, she appeared as the grown-up Yoshino Koda in NHK's TV series "Manpuku. She also played her first starring role in a drama series in TV Tokyo Drama 25 "Nihon boro-yado kiko". In films, she has appeared in "Ai ga Nada" (released on April 19) and "Aircraft Carrier Ibuki" (released on May 24), and her solo lead role in the reading play "Yanagibashi Monogatari" is scheduled to be performed at Sogetsu Hall in Tokyo on May 2.
Instagram:@fukagawamai.official
