TOKYO WRESTLING ARTICLES [ENGLISH]

8. Impersonating Lady Gaga?!

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:05:19 +0900

-- I've heard that you like going out for good food. Are there any restaurants in Tokyo that you would recommend? Whenever people ask me, the one place I always recommend is a restaurant called Eat. It's in Takaido in Tokyo's Suginami Ward. The name of the place is pretty straightforward. It's run by an elderly couple--a woman and a man--and it serves original-style Western dishes. The food is terrific and the restaurant has been shown on TV numerous times. I love it because they don't use microwaves at all and the food is prepared with lots of zeal. -- You're someone who's driven by curiosity and passion, and you've tried your hand at a lot of things until now. I hear that recently you just started photography. Now, when you take pictures, are there any particular themes or images that you like to focus on? Is there anywhere we can see your photographs, or will you release a book at any point? Right now I'm enjoying taking pictures of people. But also this is because I feel like more technical knowledge of photography is required in order to work with landscapes and distance photography. Of course, technical knowledge is needed for taking pictures of people too, but since there is less physical distance between the photographer and the subject it's easier to adjust the focus and all. I really like people, so it makes me happy when I am able to catch someone's essence in a photograph. Also, I'm studying make-up and other things related to the whole process, so I've taken some close friends who are actresses and models and I take pictures of them: both without make-up and then again after I've transformed them using make-up and all. Right now I haven't released anything yet, but I think I'd like to release a book of photography at some point. -- Who do you think you would like to try impersonating next? Right now I feel like Japanese singers from popular music groups are kind of all the same, so it's hard to really pick anyone. There isn’t anybody at the moment that I really want to impersonate. And, anyway, I've been doing more theater work lately so I've moved away a bit from doing impressions. But I'd like to try doing an international star, like Beyonce. -- How about Lady Gaga? She's that singer-songwriter--the "New Madonna", right? She's fascinating. -- Recently she's been performing at queer venues [though not in Japan] and has a built a sizable gay following for herself. This year she made a point to appear at the world's largest lesbian event, held annually in the United States with thousands of lesbian and bisexual women in March. Also, she’s an out bisexual. That must be part of the reason why she's being recognized as the "new Madonna". It's like she's a gender hero. That and the fact that her fashion is also very original too. Very cool. She's young, isn't she? -- I think just 23 or so. She's also apparently inspired by one of your favorite artists, Andy Warhol, and you can recognize elements of Warhol’s art in her shows and music videos. Also, she's an excellent dancer and singer, and she sings herself for her live performances, which is another reason people respect her work. I think she's a hot, tough female artist! Wow, that's wonderful! I'll start a closer study of her! (laughs) But you know what, when I was cross dressing, people would tell me that I looked like Fergie. (laughs) It's too bad that she hasn't gained more notice in Japan. -- So what are your plans from here? I’ll be working on two filming projects--a drama and a movie--at the same time. Actually, the reason I went into comedy is because, originally, I wanted to be an actor, so I’m having a lot of fun with the way things are panning out now. When I hear the words, “Ready, Action!!” and I go into character to perform, I get a real sense of fulfillment. Since you're allowed to immerse yourself more in acting when you do movies, I think they’re a lot more fun than television. Right now. -- Good luck with your projects, and we look forward watching your movie and drama! [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] ■Tokyo Wrestling would love to hear your comments and thoughts. Write to us at: contact@tokyowrestling.com.

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7. Clueless questions about being gay

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:02:31 +0900

-- Do you have any favorite gay movies? Several. For one, I like "Torch Song Trilogy" (1988). Its gloomy ambiance at the beginning struck me as being very real. I's a film that stays with you after you watch it--not just in your head, but in your heart. Also, I love "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" (1994) and punchy entertainment films. "Maurice" (1987) and "Brokeback Mountain"(1987) were wonderful, too. But I guess if I had to pick one favorite, I’d choose "Torch Song Trilogy". -- Are there any particular queer events or scenes that you'd like to go see? I’d love to go see a massive event. Like, when I was living in New York City I only barely got to see the Gay Parade. I'd like to see that, or I’d like to go to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade in Australia! -- I’d love for you to report on it, for Japanese TV! (laughs) Yeah, I’d like that too. (laughs) -- In the Japanese gay scene there aren’t a lot of spaces for gay men and women to mix, but the last time I talked to you, you mentioned that you had a lesbian friend. In your view, what are lesbians like? Lately I see a lot of lesbian couples walking around Nichome and I think it’s great! In society there are all these rules that dictate what a man should be and what a woman should be and I think more rules are applied to women than to men. So sometimes I worry that it may be harder for gay women to get by. -- In Japan, not only are there very strong fixed ideas surrounding sexuality, but also surrounding sex and gender too. Yes. But ultimately men can put up a fight, whereas women can’t. So, while I want to cheer lesbians on, really I’m a little worried. After all, if some woman came up to me in Nichome and threw herself on me I could get out of that situation, but if a women gets attacked by a guy, basically there’s not much she can do strength-wise. -- But, to the contrary, I think guys are in a more dangerous position. If two guys get in a fight, it can really escalate into something violent. But if a guy had a problem with a woman, he couldn’t beat her up in public--as long as he wasn’t really nuts--so there’s kind of an escape. But I guess it can be seen either way. Yeah, it sounds like we’re each a little worried for the other. (laughs) -- You wrote on your blog that you get a bit irritated by questions like, “So, when did you turn gay?" Yes. I get a lot of questions like that. Or people ask, “During sex, which are you [the woman or the man]?” Straight people here in Japan seem to want to know “which role” I am, but people in other countries don’t ask questions like that, right? -- Yeah, not so much anymore. But I do think that there are still a lot of straight people everywhere who think that when you’re a gay couple, one plays “the man” and the other “the woman”. Are there any questions that you’re sick of hearing? -- Well, when I tell straight people that I like boyish girls, they usually respond with, “Then you don’t need to be with a lesbian, you can date a guy.” It just pisses me off! (laughs) No matter how boyish a girl may be, she’s still a girl underneath her clothes. (laughs) But usually people get my point when I explain it that way. (laughs) Also, since I haven’t been with a woman, guys will often tell me, “Then why don’t you give it a try?” Usually I just say, “Sure, and you’ll try a guy too to see which is better for you, ok?” (laughs) -- Exactly. (laughs) I’ve been told something along those lines too. When I first came out a friend told me, “You just haven’t met a guy good at sex yet.” I mean, come on! (laughs) Plus, that wasn't a very nice to say about the boy I had dated for 6 years! (laughs) There are a lot of people who think women become lesbian, or are lesbian, because they’ve had some bad experiences with men. -- There sure are, even though that’s so far from the truth! (laughs) I mean, if you’re a straight woman and you really have terrible experiences with men, at worst you’ll just decide to stop dating men. It’s so simplistic to say that they’d then “turn to women.” [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ]

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6. Joking around about love

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:01:43 +0900

-- The last time we met was after the live taping of “Haato O Tsunago” at the Tokyo Pride Festival. I was wondering, what was your initial reaction when they asked you to appear at a gay pride event? Well, in the past, organizers of the Tokyo Gay Parade had contacted me and asked whether I would do something for their opening ceremony. Each time I let them know that I wanted to, if my schedule allowed, but it just never seemed to work out. I very much wanted to take part, especially since the gay community wanted me there, so I was elated to have finally made it this year!! -- Do you think you'd like to take part in other LGBT events in the future too? Yes! Though I wonder why they would want me--of all people. You know, I’m no opinion leader. And people who work in pop entertainment like me can’t be too political. But as long as they take me as I am, I’d love to be there. -- On television, you once said that the Japanese comedian "Cunning" Takeyama is your type. What is it about him that you like? He’s a big man--in the spiritual sense, and he’s got amazing insight...I don’t know how to say it. I just got the sense that he’s a deeply feeling being, so I began liking him. -- You’re attracted to his inner qualities then, right? He’s got great emotional depth. I mean, I know I’m talking in simplistic terms, but it’s like even though he might seem to be a rambunctious kind of guy on TV, really he’s very sensitive and thoughtful. So it was natural for me to kind of fall for him. Also, after I had said on national TV that I liked him, he didn’t try to put it down or overcompensate or react with antipathy or anything. He just took it in stride. And he told me, “You know, I’m a comedian and you’re a comedian so we can use those feelings you have for me as part of an act. But there's nothing more than that. If that works for you, then let’s try something with it.” And after that we created a few sappy romantic comedy skits and joked around with it together! The fact that, in response to what I had said, he’d be open to doing skits like that really just goes to show what a terrific person he is. -- We could feel the warmth and humor seeing you on TV. You know, earlier you said that up till now you’ve fallen for straight guys more often than gay guys. How do you tell the two apart?　 I can tell easily at just a glance. I wonder why. It’s hard to say but there are a number of signs. It’s the look in their eyes, and the way they talk. Though the look of someone’s face is the same, there’s just something different there. It’s very strange. -- How accurate, do you think, is your gaydar? (laughs) Very. (laughs) I know as well as I know coffee from tea...so I’d rate myself at about 85%. (laughs) -- I read on your blog that you’re currently single. What would be the first thing you do when you get a boyfriend?　 I doubt that lesbians would understand this, but in the gay world sex comes pretty easily. So really, I’d like to go out and do all the things that usually lead up to that, like going out on dates, hitting amusement parks, buying groceries for dinner at the supermarket, you know, just things that straight couples do. Like going to Disneyland, and watching fireworks together in the summer...tacky stuff (laughs). After that, as long as I had my partner’s understanding, I’d like to hold a gay wedding, even if it wasn’t recognized by law, and have the media cover it. I’d really like to give the public a visual image of what it is that sexual minorities want, so I’d want the ceremony shown on TV. -- Please do! And be sure to invite us to cover it! (laughs) Sure. (laughs) I’ll let you know. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ]

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5. Knowing you’re gay

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:00:43 +0900

-- Do you remember the first time you thought you might be gay? In my second year of middle school, a good friend of mine stopped talking to me for a while because of an argument we had. It was awful for me and I began thinking, “Why does this make me so sad?” when it just naturally occurred to me: “I like him.” I didn’t come to the realization in any sexual or physical way--really it was just a feeling that developed from a platonic relationship I had. I’m glad it happened that way. -- How did you feel when you realized you may be gay?　 Well, I felt like somewhere in me I had known. I kind of thought, “Of course.” (laughs) -- It didn’t upset you or anything? No. I was living in Tokyo so I had access to a lot of information. Also, my parents are young so I didn’t have much of a conservative upbringing or a reason to put myself down about it. -- Do you remember what you first heard or thought about homosexuality when you were a child? Well, I remember hearing that men going to spots known for gay cruising would make a point to time everything so that so that no one would be seen showing up or leaving together. That made me think, “Oh, that must be something judged badly in the eyes of the world." -- I think many people go through feelings of guilt or anxiety (about being gay) early on. Did you go through that? I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. -- So then was it when you got to high school that you first realized this was seen as a taboo thing in the world? Yes, exactly. I got the feeling that, with the kind of concern people seemed to have over it, it had to be something that no one should know. That’s why I really never personally felt guilty about it. To the contrary I wondered why it was so wrong. I am considerate of people who are more concerned with how it's seen by society, but I was never concerned like that myself. Even today. -- I’ve heard that you go out to gay events and Shinjuku’s Nichome. What do you like about them? Well, I think Nichome and gay clubs serve as a place where people who feel the pressure of having be “straight” day in and day out--never really expressing themselves--can really spread their wings and set themselves free. Even today, when I’m in Nichome, I’ll meet lots of people who aren’t out at all at work. Talking to them I’ll hear just how hard it is. In that sense, since I’m out, Nichome isn’t so much of an absolutely necessary place for me but when I go to clubs and I see people just letting themselves go, it makes me happy that we have spaces like that. -- In a previous interview (*to be posted in upcoming Tokyo Pride Festival coverage), you talked about how the gay scene in New York City is far more inclusive than the one in Nichome. Could you elaborate on that? In the Japanese scene, like in Nichome, everything is centered around the bars and clubs, but the gay scene in New York City includes more than that--like fashion and politicians. It seems to have made inroads into all aspects of everyday life. For example, there’s this one restaurant run by a gay couple and it's decorated with furniture and paintings in a way that the whole place really has a "gay feel" to it. But a lot of non-gay folks go there as well--because they like the taste. They’re not going like tourists would, saying, “Oh, hey honey, gay people run this place.” To them it’s just like going anywhere else, and that’s the way the gay area feels in New York. I really like it. In Japan, if you watch straight people walking through Nichome, you’ll see them give strange looks whenever they see two men holding hands or something. I think that, depending on the individual, maybe this is just a question of what we've grown used to in our lives. Even if a kiss between two men looks weird to someone the first time they see it, maybe if they see a lot, then it begins to appear natural. So maybe it’s just a question of how often you see something. -- I think so too. Since you never see men kissing men or women kissing women in the mass media, people just aren’t used to it. Even me, for example. When I was young, I thought it was a bit strange when I first saw gay friends of mine kissing, but now I think nothing of it. Well then, we just have to show a lot more kissing! (laughs) [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ]

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4. Touching words

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:59:57 +0900

-- It seems there would be a lot of closeted male actors and performers in the entertainment industry in Japan. How does it seem to you? There are. Since it's women who buy the posters, CDs and tickets to concerts, commercial concerns lead most to believe that good business practice demands protecting the fantasies of these women and selling performers as straight. There are some entertainers who do want to come out, but can’t, and others who are afraid of coming out because it may damage their image. Since I realize everyone faces different circumstances, I don’t sit in judgment and say everyone should just come out. However, we do see entertainers who, though they’ve never said they’re gay, don’t fight rumors either and are pretty much known to be gay. -- Do you think that coming out would really have a concrete negative effect, commercially speaking, even for an extremely popular performer? Yeah, I think that element is there. -- How about in your case? Well, none of this applies to me because I was never popular for my masculine qualities, like a boy band would be. To the contrary, young women saw me as someone like an “older sister” they wanted to go to for advice or to talk to, so by coming out I gained a little in the way of having this trusted image. There was no particular commercial damage. But I'd like to know how much damage someone from a boy band would undergo if he were to come out. I wonder about it. -- Yeah, I’d like to know too. But, if someone is really all that popular, do you think the damage to their image would be so huge? I mean, long ago in Japan--for pretty must the same reasons--straight popular performers weren’t allowed to get married or even have girlfriends. But nowadays, performers are just as popular when they marry, so maybe coming out as gay wouldn’t change anyone's popularity as much as many people think. If some young, handsome idols were to come out, I wonder what would happen then. -- You just said that young women go to you for love advice. What is some of the best advice you’ve given? The kind of love problems I hear about most from Japanese women run along the lines of, “He doesn’t love me in the way I want to be loved. I always feel a hunger that can’t be satisfied and I'm lonely.” Usually I tell these women that they ought to live their own lives as mature, independent women in order to relieve the need to become so dependent on romantic relationships. I tell them that there’s no better way to find a balance between oneself and one’s love life than to follow your own dreams, follow your own bliss, and throw yourself into what you want to do in life--enjoying every moment. People walk on two legs. One of these is our dreams, the other is love, and we need to walk on both. Some people get so wrapped up thinking that, in life, love has to be everything. But I like to say, “No, that’s not it. We're all individuals and we each came into this world on our own. Two people come together only because each is drawn to each other. So don’t expect one man to save you and become everything in your life.” -- That's great advice!　By the way, I heard the story about how you came out to your older brother on the TV program “Uchi Kuru?” (“Come Over to My House?”; Fuji TV) and I loved it. When I came out to my older brother, he cried. Not because he was sad to think I was gay, but because he suddenly realized that, until then, when he saw his little brother "Kenbo" he had only seen one-half of who I am. It was a shock for him to realize he hadn’t recognized the other half. He cried because he thought he failed me as an older brother.” -- What a terrific brother, so understanding and sensitive. That’s just the kind of guy he is. We’re very close in age and we grew up acting a lot like friends. Even today we’re still very close. Moreover, even though we’re just one year apart, he really does try to protect me like an older brother would. What he said to me after I came out really meant a lot to me. It made me think of how much I aspire to be that kind of person. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ]

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3. Gay, but not “Onee”

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:59:04 +0900

-- What do you think about circumstances facing sexual minorities in Japan today? Recently there's been more visibility. We now see sexual minorities represented on a lot of TV shows! But still, even if we've gained a place in the world of Japanese variety programming--I wonder how things stand in offices and workplaces across the country. Things seem to have gotten better, but I don't know exactly what the reality is. Especially since I've never had an office job and I don't know how hard it is to be in that kind of environment. I can't even imagine how conservative it must be. -- Right now most gay men appearing on Japanese TV use "Onee-kotoba", (literally, "elder sister's talk") meaning they speak quite effeminately, but you don't. Do you make a point not to? When I'm talking on television I do avoid speaking with "Onee-kotoba", but at the same time I naturally speak as I do now anyway. Part of this is I'd like to show that not all men who like men speak with "Onee-kotoba". I want to be visible as a gay man who isn’t "Onee" (effeminate). And, you know, a lot of straight people think of gay couples in terms of, "So who acts as the guy and who acts as the girl?” By my presence I want to help more people understand that it's not necessarily like that. I want to show that I love men as a man, and that two men can like each other as men. -- I think it's really important that we have gay men on TV who are not "Onee", just to show the diversity in the gay community. So, in that sense, I really think you are a groundbreaker. Now, you came out three years ago when there was not a single non-Onee-speaking, out gay man on television. Was it hard for you to be open about yourself when this was uncharted territory? It wasn't hard to come out at all. My parents, my family, my friends, colleagues in the entertainment world and even my agency all knew I was gay long before I publicly came out to the media. -- What was the reaction when you first came out to your agency? They thought it was kind of funny. They were like, "There aren't a lot of people like that, are there?" People in comedy enjoy working with "differences" in life, which I think is just wonderful. So by the time I came out to the media, only TV viewers didn't already know. Up till then I'd often have fun talking backstage with other entertainers about dates I'd been on and some naughty adventures I’ve had. They actually wanted to talk about these things on the radio, but since I hadn't come out, they couldn't. So since I've come out, it's like the walls that had boxed them in have vanished as well. My colleagues find it easier now that they don't have to make such an effort to keep "the secret" under check anymore. -- Since comedy seems to be so dominated by men, I was wondering if there weren't any problems when you came out, like people pulling away? Not at all. To the contrary, people tended to show a lot of interest and ask questions. Like, "So what's it like to be gay?" I'd answer, and since I'd be the only gay person there I really felt like "someone special" (laughs). It was fun for me too to stand there explaining, "Oh, it's like this." (laughs) -- I can see how it would be fun to chat about it (laughs). So it seems like, from what you're saying, the straight comedians were quite considerate of your situation and made an effort to keep "the secret". Exactly. I'm very thankful. You know, comedians pick up on things well! -- So does that mean that from the time you started in the industry, you never really had a sense of being in the closet? No, I never really felt like I was in the closet. However, there was a time where I was advised not to say anything to my agency. I remember one time I was standing with other comedians and I found myself forcing a reaction to a swimsuit model. I acted as if I’d fall over myself, saying like “WOW!!” (laughs) -- (laughs) So what was your agency's reason for going along with your coming out? They had basically promised me that they would be cool with me coming out once my reputation as an entertainer was already established--whether that be for doing impressions, comedy routines or theater performances. They told me to go ahead and come out once people were at a point where they wouldn't care whether I was gay or not. They said they didn’t want the news to take off on its own while I was still an unknown, before the public even knew of my talent. So I also felt that when the head of the agency gave me the go ahead, the timing was just right! [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ]

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2. Sunflower looking to happiness

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:58:12 +0900

-- I'd like to go back to talking about your book. The chapter "Sunflower", where the protagonist is a gay boxer, comes at the very end of the novel. Did you place the story there for any special reason? Yes, I think so. Readers know that I'm gay and I wanted them to think I'm presenting this story symbolically, so I put it at the very end. Does that make sense? (laughs) -- I think I understand. (laughs) By putting it at the very end, it becomes an important closing piece, and it also leaves something of an afterglow with the reader. Yeah, I even imagined to myself that after finishing the book people would look back to the name on the cover and think to themselves, "Wow, Ken Maeda wrote this." -- In Japan the world of comedy, much like the world of boxing, is male-dominated and has a kind of machismo running through it. Is the story of this boxer living as a gay man in "a male-dominated world" taken from your own experiences?　 You've got a point. The world of comedy is very male-dominated. As I see it, boxing consists of two half-naked men duking it out, which I felt to be very far from actual gay sensibility. That's why I wanted to try setting the story as I did. Also, because I wanted to use the stoic, lonesome nature of boxing as a metaphor. -- Why did you choose the name “Sunflower” for this chapter? They say that sunflowers naturally turn to face the sun as they grow. So I used the example of the sunflower as a way to express our humble wish to turn in the direction of our happiness, even if by only just the tips of our toes. -- In “Sunflower” one of the characters says, "When it comes to heartbreak, it feels better to lose by a KO rather than by a count." Does this reflect your own personal feelings? Do you act directly when in love, even at the risk of being KO'ed? I do. Up to the present most of the guys I've fallen for have been straight. And for me, in order to be able to walk away, first I have to tell someone how I feel. That's why, even if I know it's a losing fight, I'll say my piece. Then I can be KO'ed and walk away feeling somewhat relieved and ready to move on to the next fight. When I was younger I'd be obstinate about saying exactly how I felt because it seemed that if I didn't openly confess my feelings, everything would be swept under the carpet as if nothing had ever been there. -- Why do you think you've fallen for more straight guys than gay ones? I think there's something I admire in them. Perhaps something that I don't have. I relate to gay men in numerous ways and feel that we're very much on the same wavelength, but somehow it just feels like, with them, I'm with siblings...family. When it comes to attraction, I've been drawn to straight men. I mean, I'm speaking in the past tense, but even today it's so easy for me to fall for straight guys. (laughs) After all, doesn't it seem kind of devious to give up when something's impossible, or fight harder only when the potential is there. (laughs) I think that, honestly, the person you like the most is the same one who comes to mind when you're alone and you want to see somebody. -- The chapter "Lily" tells a story of platonic love and marriage between an asexual woman and a gay man. Could you imagine yourself in the same kind of relationship with a straight or lesbian woman? I'd like to have children someday, so if such a relationship developed in my life, or I met the right woman in that sense, I can see it as possible. However, I've never actually experienced anything like that, so at the same time I have doubts. I wonder whether it would be possible for two people to live together in that way without becoming unhappy. If we each had lovers of our own, then that's one thing, but if you have a situation where one is always busy and the other is always at home, then it's hard to not expect a sadness to take hold. What about you? -- I've always liked gay men, so as long as I didn't have a girlfriend, then I think I could be in a loving platonic relationship with one. I mean, if a gay guy would want to be with me, of course (laughs). But I also get the feeling that if there was a girl I liked, then it wouldn't happen. True. Being open to a possibility means not ruling it out. There's a balance. -- Are you already thinking about your next book? I am. My first book followed the theme of sexual minorities, so right now I'm imagining what would happen if I wrote my second about straight boy-girl love. I’d like to try writing with an eye on things in life that I expect should be "easy" for straight couples though, in reality, they still may be hard for them to do. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ]

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1. A first novel

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:54:44 +0900

Japanese comedian and TV talent Ken Maeda rocketed to fame in 2004 for his playful impression of hit Japanese songstress Aya Matsuura. Since then he’s kept audiences laughing while also making a name for himself in the Japanese entertainment industry. In 2005, the vivacious comedian came out publicly at a press event, a rarity in a country where the only gay men represented in broadcast media are those fitting "Onee", or effeminate, roles. The fact that Maeda appears in programs as just a "regular" gay guy is, for mainstream media, both groundbreaking and new. Maeda 's natural talent as an entertainer along with his ability to plainly and openly speak with the media about being gay have generated a large following for him among LGBTers. Attendees at this year's Tokyo Pride Festival on May 23rd were delighted to find Maeda appearing as a guest on the NHK program, "Haato O Tsunago (Heart-to-Heart)", which was being recorded live at the event. In March of this year, Maeda also published his first short fiction novel, The Flowers Shall Continue to Bloom (Sore demo Hana ha Saite Iku; Gentosha Publishing House). Owing to both the quality of its story-telling and a refreshing infusion of queer elements, his book has been received enthusiastically by readers of all sexualities. Tokyo Wrestling first caught up with this talented young star at the Tokyo Pride Festival, where we recorded a video interview (to be posted next month). Shortly after, we met for a frank conversation about his first novel, his coming out, acceptance among fellow comedians and family members regarding his sexuality, his favorite gay movies, and some of the “best” questions he's heard from straight people. ★For Ken Maeda's official blog, follow the link here (Japanese). ※Ken Maeda proudly sports his Tokyo Wrestling badges and stickers.
-- In March of this year you released your first fictional novel, The Flowers Shall Continue to Bloom (Sore demo Hana ha Saite Iku; Gentosha Publishing House), which was very well written--so much so that it did not seem at all like a first-time work. Have you always wanted to write? Yes, I've always loved writing--from diaries to letters--ever since I was a kid. I wrote an original script of my own in my third year in middle school, and I loved to create stories from scratch. I started with nothing when I was writing this novel, and I'm thrilled to hear that people are touched or moved by it; it’s as if I've created a world of my own. I had a lot of fun putting the novel to paper. -- In this book of short stories, each chapter is a love story of its own--and given the name of a flower. The love stories take a variety of shapes, and are all generally a bit out-of-the-ordinary by mainstream standards, but I thought that's what speaks most to sexual minorities. What was your source of inspiration? I wanted to simulate for straight readers some sense of what I feel, the discomfort or strangeness, living as a gay man in this world. Initially I was inspired to think I could try to have them see the world through my eyes, even if just for a second, and possibly have them experience what it's like. The idea occurred to me because people often react with such surprise when I'm talking about something that’s essentially obvious to me. So I started to wonder how I can get them to see that there are other equally legitimate ways and forms of love. This is also why I wrote all the stories from the book in first-person, too. -- So we could say that your inspiration comes from the fact that you yourself belong to a sexual minority, right? I think so. I don't think I could have written this book if I wasn't gay. -- What kind of responses have you had from gay readers? They've been good. My aim was to kind of explain and introduce topics relating to minorities in this book, just to convey the information. I've had a lot of people tell me that they liked being exposed to these by reading a novel. -- There aren't many novels in Japan that take up gay topics, so in that sense this book is extremely valuable. There are many phrases scattered throughout the book that I bet resonate well with sexual minorities, for example in the chapter Daisy we hear "Love is a freedom!", "There is no truth or error to love", and "My path to happiness is mine to decide." Are these phrases the kinds of ideas that come to you over the course of your own daily life? Yes. I just wanted to have them expressed verbally by putting them into the mouths of characters in my book. -- You mentioned earlier that you have a sense of feeling uncomfortable or strange in your life as a gay man. Is that something you experienced in the past, or does it persist even today? I still feel it today. I notice it as acutely as a left-handed person would notice that video cameras and scissors are all made for right-handed folks. -- At what times, for example? For example when you try to have your astrological compatibility read. Since they only look at romance between men and women, it makes you wonder if even the cosmos wouldn't recognize our love. Oh, and I got another (laughs). When you go to the cheaper love hotels, they always leave one robe in pink and one robe in blue (laughs). -- Yeah (laughs) Aren't two men often denied entry to many love hotels? It's such blatant discrimination! When I told a gay friend of mine in Switzerland that, he got very angry (laughs). He was like, "If gay sex is legal there, then why can't two men get a room at a love hotel?!" Very true. (laughs)

※ The Flowers Shall Continue to Bloom (Sore demo Hana ha Saite Iku) Gentosha publishing; 1365 yen (tax incl)
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translated by rayna rusenko

2. In the face of anti-gay protesters

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:18 +0900

When I first arrived at Plac Wolnica, the starting point for Marsz Tolerancji, I was surprised to see so many police officers positioned in the square. Since this was my first time taking part in a parade in Poland, at first I couldn't quite understand why they would need so many. But once the march started, it all became clear. ※A long line of police officers positioned at the starting point. Unfortunately, in Poland there are no enclaves or areas for LGBT people like Tokyo's Nichome. In addition, homophobia is rampant among the populace and, as a whole, the country has been recognized for its reluctance to accept the existence of homosexuality. On the day of the parade, just as soon as posters advertising the event went up, posters protesting it were immediately visible alongside them. Every year, people belonging to anti-gay groups gather before the start of the march for the express purpose of preventing the march from entering the old city. ※Every year neo-Nazis and anti-gay groups try to interfere in the march and attack participants.
Since it is legal for citizens to hold a gay parade in Poland, the police exercise their duty to keep anti-gay protesters off to the sides and arrest anyone who resists violently. This is why 500 or more police officers had been present from the beginning. ※Roughly 500 police officers were assigned to this year's march in order to prevent counter-protesters from interfering in the parade.
There were about 200 or 300 anti-gay protesters at this year's march, many of whom were easily recognizable in black clothes carrying black and red flags. Every year anti-gay protesters try to provoke participants by throwing eggs, bottles and stones. This year was no exception and, in fact, was worse then previous years since some protesters actually threw potted plants and chairs as well. In the end, 15 anti-gay protesters, including several who had tried to stop the march from entering the city, were arrested by the police. I was walking with marchers for the duration of the March of Tolerance and couldn't help but note the extreme contrast between the colorfully-decorated, high-spirited march participants and the skinheads in red and black yelling and lashing out. What was really disappointing was the fact that some of the local and national media featured and focused more on the anti-gay protesters than the LGBT marchers. Even still, it was both exhilarating and satisfying for me to be able to step out into the city and express myself during the march, albeit surrounded by chaos. I hope that more and more Poles take to the streets in the coming years to participate in the parade and show their solidarity in the face of anti-gay protests. I wish for nothing more than to see a change in the way people think so that discrimination against LGBT people eventually disappears in Poland. I also want the many LGBT people of Poland to know that we are with them! ※Everyone releases balloons after the parade.
※A sign that says “My teacher is a lesbian”.
※A sign that says “I am Polish and a lesbian”.

Translated by Kumiko Matsumoto

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■Tokyo Wrestling would love to hear your comments and thoughts. Write to us at: contact@tokyowrestling.com.

1. Not the easiest place to live

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:42:59 +0900

On May 17, 2009 Poland's second largest city, Krakow, celebrated Gay Pride with Marsz Tolerancji, The March of Tolerance. Though acceptance of gay rights has grown in much of Western Europe, the struggle for equal rights in Poland--a country that still lacks its own civil partnership system--has lagged while considerable opposition to homosexuality among both the government and the public continues to makes life difficult for LGBT persons. When the Gay Pride Parades of both Warsaw and Krakow were banned in 2004 and 2005, LGBT people around the world took notice. In 2006, the US gay-oriented publication Southern Voice printed an article titled, "World's worst places to live if you're gay," which included a top ten list placing Poland at number 8. On a list otherwise dominated by countries such as Uganda, Iran, and Egypt, where homosexual practices are punishable by law, Poland stood out as the only European country. Daniela Sea, also known as Max on The L Word has spoken with Tokyo Wrestling in the past about the threat to gay rights in Poland, citing problems such as the mayor of Warsaw's outright refusal to issue a permit for Gay Pride and overt violent aggression. Taking part in a Gay Pride march in Poland is certainly not an easy task, especially in comparison to other more gay-friendly countries. Shortly after Marsz Tolerancji, one of our TW readers living in Krakow sent in her own photo report of the event. As you will see, the march required a tremendous amount of courage, with somewhere around 200 to 300 far right anti-gay extremists present. Let's give a shout out to our brave sisters and brothers in Poland! ★The official site for the Krakow Gay Parade: www.queerowymaj.pl/ Hello, TW readers! I'm here with a photo report on Krakow's Marsz Tolerancji, held on May 17, 2009! The name of the parade translates into "March for Tolerance" in English. The parade was first held in 2004 and has been held every year with only the exception of 2005, when it was canceled in order to allow for a national day of mourning after the death of Polish-born Pope John Paul II. This year's course was longer than the last; the march began at Plac Wolnica, leaving at 2pm, and continued for approximately 3 kilometers--or roughly ninety minutes--down a major thoroughfare. The estimated number of participating marchers has not been released, but anywhere between 700 and 1000 are said to have been there. Non-Poles were present along with Polish citizens. Just as in many other cities around the world, participants held up rainbow flags and banners and messages as they walked. After arriving at their destination point, they released balloons into the air to officially close the event. ※The starting point for the march, Plac Wolnica, located in Warsaw's
old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. Many of the signs included messages
urging for the recognition of civil partnership rights.

※A long line of guards at Plac Wolnica protecting marchers from attacks.

※LGBT marchers with rainbow flags walking down one of Warsaw's
most famous streets, ul.Grodzka, which leads to Wawel Royal Castle.

※The parade continues down the street towards Wawel Royal Castle, visible to the left. The sign says, "I love gays."

※Street performers wave as the crowds pass along Rynek Główny,
or Kraków Market Square, an area oft-visited by tourists.
※St. Mary's Basilica (Kościół Mariacki), a popular tourist spot located
by the Main Market Square, was the destination point for the march and the
locations selected for the release of hundreds of colorful balloons.

Translated by J and R

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■Tokyo Wrestling would love to hear your comments and thoughts. Write to us at: contact@tokyowrestling.com.

3．Chatting at a gay bar

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:13:00 +0900

In today’s installment, let’s envision a conversation between you and Mr/Ms Sexy at a bar in Shinjuku’s Nichome... You: Hey! Mr/Ms Sexy: Hey! You: I like your... (shirt, shoes, dress, style, anything you choose. This is an easy way to start a conversation.) You: So... How are you, tonight? Mr/Ms Sexy: Good. You? You: Great. You: Can I buy you a drink? (Note: This is a nice thing to do--and if they say "no" then they probably aren't interested. If they say "yes" they still might not be interested but you at least nab the right to talk to them a little more!) Mr/Ms Sexy: Sure, thanks. (30 minutes of conversation, and a few drinks, later...) You: So... Can I ask you a personal question? Mr/Ms Sexy: Um... Okay. You: What are you looking for..? (Note: This is a useful question. Maybe they are just looking for someone to talk to, or maybe they ARE single and looking for a cute boy/girl, like you...) Once you know what Mr/Ms Sexy is looking for, then comes the difficult part. If you think Mr/Ms Sexy wants to get together with you, you can ask, "What are you into?" If it's obvious that Mr/Ms Sexy doesn't like you, don't ask. If you do, it just sounds... dirty and a little desperate. Get it? Western queers and Japanese queers are similar in many ways, but this is one of the little differences. If you can remember what I've told you here today, maybe you can get lucky next time you go out and find Mr/Ms Right--or at least Mr/Ms One Night. I hope you do. Feel free to thank me for your new, sexy boyfriend/girlfriend by sending me money and chocolates and the addresses of sexy boys for me to love. Bye for now, you beautiful boys and girls! M

[ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] ■Tokyo Wrestling would love to hear your comments and thoughts. Write to us at: contact@tokyowrestling.com.

2. A well-mannered approach

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:53:46 +0900

In the earlier installment of this, my first lesson in Gay English etiquette, I introduced the big, bad no-no: asking, "Are you a top or a bottom?" Now I’d like to tell you why I’m banishing it to the ranks of The Taboo. First of all, where I’m from, we don't ask people this when we first meet them. It's just too personal and just too sexual. Would you ask your mother? No, right? Then you shouldn't ask a stranger--unless you are very, very drunk. If you do, it seems like you are only looking for sex. Nothing is a greater turn off than getting hit with this social faux pas. Thus, if you’re looking for more than a one-night stand, then this is NOT the right way to start a relationship. Also, it’s important to remember that many people from the US and Europe don't like to label themselves...not as "gay," "lesbian," or "bi”, and ESPECIALLY not as a "top" or a "bottom." Also, let’s keep in mind that sometimes we use these words incorrectly. Here's what these terms mean: the "top" is, literally, the person on top and the "bottom" is the person on the bottom. This comes from straight sex where, traditionally, the man was on top and the woman was on the bottom. But, for us, the "top" is the person putting things into, or doing things to, the other person and the "bottom" is the one getting things put into, or done to, her/him. Understand? And, of course, we can't forget that there are also people who call themselves "versatile." Someone who is "versatile" likes being the "top" and the "bottom." However, this all gets even more confusing because "top" is often used to mean "active" and "bottom" to mean "passive"...but these are NOT always the same! What active really means is "to be aggressive" in bed, i.e. to say what you want and how you want it and to move around! A passive person doesn't do much, but lets things be done to her/him. Therefore, two "active" people might easily have sex, but it might be more difficult for two "tops." The same is true for two "bottoms." If you think about it, it‘s impossible for two people to "bottom" or "top" at the same time. You have to take turns. As far as I see it, “active” and “passive” relate to attitudes or approaches in bed, whereas “top” and “bottom” are clearly-set roles. So, do you realize, you can be a passive top or an active bottom? You can! Did I just blow your minds? (Though...it would be a tad difficult to be a passive top. But it could happen!) Ahem, going back to the issue at hand; I was saying that you shouldn’t ask strangers, "Are you a top or a bottom?" and, oh, how true. BUT, if you are only interested in tops and you won't consider dating another bottom, then you can approach the subject in a more well-mannered fashion by asking something else: "What are you into?" Indeed, this is much nicer than, "Are you a top or a bottom?" You still shouldn't ASK someone immediately after first meeting them, but after a few minutes, or after a few drinks, it should be safe to go ahead. In my next installment, we’ll imagine a conversation between you and Mr or Ms Sexy. Be sure to read on... M

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1. A no-no when first meeting

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:40:02 +0900

Profile: Matt Matt has resided in Japan since 2006. This queer American boy loves art, music, culture, and his job teaching English to Japanese high school students. Okay all you beautiful lesbians, gays, transsexuals, bis, and queers! My name is Matt and I’ve taken a position at the helm of this brand-new section on gay English etiquette for Japanese and international readers of Tokyo Wresting. 　 Once a month, I'll write little lessons on how one ought to speak English in order to sound like a good boy or girl. Also, wherever the opportunity arises, I’ll give tidbits of information on queer culture in the West. Now, who am I, you ask? As said in my introduction, I’m a queer man from the States living in Tokyo, where I teach English to Japanese high school students. I’ve spent the past few years venturing out into Shinjuku’s Nichome and, let me tell you, I’ve seen and heard all the trouble caused by language and cultural differences. By contributing here, I’m hoping to help us all sort some of these out. If you read this and you learn something that helps you get along better with queers from other countries, I'll be a very happy fag! Today's little pearl of wisdom is: STOP asking, "Are you a top or a bottom?"! I must have heard this hundreds of times since coming to Japan! This drives me and all the other western queers craaaaazy! I’ll tell you why in my next post, so be sure to read on... M

[ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] ■Tokyo Wrestling would love to hear your comments and thoughts. Write to us at: contact@tokyowrestling.com.

3. Video message from Jessie

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:54:41 +0900

And now, especially for TW readers, a video message from Jessie! Enjoy! After briefly introducing the band, Jessie shares some of her own experiences coming out to friends and family.

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2. Breaking out into the lesbian scene

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:49:12 +0900

Sick of Sarah scored their big break early on when two of their songs, "Common Mistake" and "Mr. Incredible", were featured on the popular, lesbian-inclusive American teen drama South of Nowhere from 2005 to 2008, putting them squarely on the map within the lesbian scene. South of Nowhere followed the life of a lesbian teenager attending high school in LA and became so popular among US teens that it was nominated alongside Ugly Betty, another queer-inclusive hit, for a Teen Choice Award. ※From left, Jamie Holm (bass guitar & backup vocals), Abisha Uhl (lead vocals & rhythm guitar), Katie Murphy (lead guitar & backup vocals), Brooke Svanes (drums & backup dancer), Jessie Farmer (lead and rhythm guitar & backup vocals). Jessie also notes that their label, Adamant Records, played a big part in the success of the band. Unlike many labels that pressure artists into hiding their sexuality for commercial reasons, Adamant Records supported their queerness, telling them to "be as gay as you want to be, be yourself." Not only did they luck out in finding a gay-friendly label, but their open personalities and honest, relatable lyrics have also played a tremendous role in getting them noticed. In fact, Sick of Sarah has plenty of connections within the queer music scene. Among other things, they've toured with the San Francisco-based electro-pop-rock trio Von Iva. Von Iva consists of Jillian Iva on lead vocals and out lesbians Bex (Rebecca Kupersmith) on keyboard and Lay Lay (Kelly Harris) on drums. Their song "Same Sad Song" had been featured on Season 3, episode three of The L Word, catching the broad attention with their aggressive beats and hard-hitting vocals as well as their sexy, chic style. In 2008, Sick of Sarah released their self-titled debut album. Their sound is heavily influenced by '90s girl rock, reminiscent of No Doubt's early years. Abisha's sweet vocals paired with a backup chorus provided by Jessie, Katie and Jamie create a wonderful harmony. SIck of Sarah's debut album was just recently released here in Japan as well. While consistently standing proud of their sexuality, the band has earned a place for themselves basking in the rock spotlight after write-ups published in the Japanese fashion magazines Elle and FIGARO Japon. The full-on girl power vibe of their catchy music and queer pop edge could bring in the dawn of a new kind of girl rock--one that transcends sexuality. Don't miss out on listening to this up-and-coming band!

Translated by J

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