『TV Bros.』08年1月30日号 P.12
The Jan 30 issue of TV Bros, p. 12
http://www.tokyonews-webstore.com/tvbros

TW初の一般メディアからの取材となったLカルチャー特集

A first!: Tokyo Wrestling hits Japan's mainstream press

　
　
ドラマ『Lの世界』日本版DVDの発売を記念して、「“L”カルチャーの波がくる」と題し、4ページに渡りレズビアンカルチャーを大きく特集。その中で「Lカルチャーを牽引するのはこの2人！　あなたの知らない“Lの世界”」として、コミックエッセイ『ハニー＆ハニー』の著者である竹内佐千子さんと当サイト編集長が対談。

ドラマ『Lの世界』について、また、竹内さんの作品や当サイトへの反響、お互いのカミングアウトなどについて、フランクに語ったトークセッション。

同特集ではその他、『Lの世界』ディレクター、アイリーン・チェイケンのインタビュー、日本発のウーメンオンリー・パーティやコミック・小説・映画などについても大きく紹介している。

インタビューの英訳は、こちら↓

To celebrate the DVD release of the popular overseas drama, The L Word, the January 30 issue of Japan's television magazine TV Bros" features a special report on lesbian culture, including a conversation between Honey & Honey author Sachiko Takeuchi and the chief editor of TW!

English translation of the interview

Conversation between Sachiko Takeuchi and the Editor of Tokyo Wrestling

There are lesbians and even lesbian culture in Japan! Yuki Keiser, chief editor of a web magazine focusing on lesbian culture and Sachiko Takeuchi, author of popular comic essay "Honey & Honey" frankly depicting love relationships with women, speak about lesbians and lesbian culture.

There are of course lesbians in Japan.

-- Ms. Keiser, you interviewed Ms. Takeuchi for your website Tokyo Wrestling, didn't you?

Keiser ("YK"):
Yes. I considered "Honey & Honey" to be a very new type of manga. I related to the humorous and realistic depiction of the ordinary lesbian in her daily life, with all the issues she faces as well as the fun elements she experiences. It conveyed the image that the author is living a happy life as a lesbian.

Takeuchi ("ST"):
I think it is easy to identify with because I just portrayed my experience as it is. When people tell me that the book is written as if those things had really happened, I just say "Well, it's all true" (laughs).

YK:
I think even people overseas will enjoy it because readers can catch a glimpse into Tokyo lesbian life, and also, straight people will find it easy to understand.

-- Even though I'm straight, I enjoyed reading it very much, because it's just so funny - the humour is quite sophisticated. How has the reaction been so far?

ST:
The most common reactions from [straight] readers were that although the lesbian world is widely thought to be either very aesthetic and beautiful or very negative and morbid, they learn that lesbians are just normal. Many people say they were happy to glimpse into a world they didn't know anything about. I received stronger criticism from lesbians, some of whom commented, "It's much harder for lesbians living out in the countryside!" (because my manga is more optimistic and shows happy lesbians in Tokyo.)

YK:
The L Word also apparently received criticism from lesbians who complained that most of the characters in the show were too feminine and that the show did not portray lesbians they could identify with. There are many types of lesbians, not only one type, but of course everyone wants to be represented in works portraying lesbians.

ST:
There are many people who feel that way. I know there are many types of lesbians, but it's impossible to represent everyone, so I use the phrase "in my case..." more than before.

-- How about the response to Tokyo Wrestling?

YK:
We feature interviews with artists and other people who are active worldwide, and this is the first type of web magazine like this in Japan, so we have a lot of lesbian and straight readers as well, which I'm very happy about. There were already sites posting information about the lesbian community, but I think there was no lesbian media in Japan providing overseas reports as well on an international level. Although most Japanese people are unfamiliar with lesbian culture, there are actually many gay and lesbian artists in Japan.

ST:
But, there are few Japanese lesbian celebrities who publicly come out, aren't there?

YK:
They don't come out, but there are actually many lesbians in the entertainment and fashion industries: for example make-up artists, fashion magazine editors, stylists and designers.

ST:
There are many artists, right? Many people at art school for example like their own special qualities, so they don't hide their sexuality (laughs).

-- Are you both out?

ST:
I'm not hesitant coming out to anyone apart from my parents. When I published my book, I wanted to tell my parents about it, but since they weren't doing too well at the time, I'm still waiting for the right timing.

YK:
I publish under my real name on my website, so you could say that I have come out. I'm also doing PR and writing work, and when I'm asked if I have a boyfriend or if I'm married, I try to reply openly - but it depends on the circumstances. There is less information on lesbians in Japan compared to overseas, and so I don't say anything when there is the possibility of misunderstanding or trouble.

ST:
Yes, there are people who have such a bad image of lesbians that it can happen that even though I feel better after coming out, the other person feels burdened (laughs).

YK:
The L Word is treated sensationally right now in sports newspapers as a "DVD full of lezzies!" The way it's treated is so outdated. (laughs) Most of the characters are out in the story, and it's not just focused on sex, it's also about lifestyle and culture. The lesbians are shown to be living ordinary and happy lives. That kind of awareness is already prevalent in LA, and at some point I think that will also be the case in Japan.

ST:
Many people think that lesbianism is a big issue, but I want them to read my manga and watch the L Word more and more even if they're sensationalist. And then, from that, if they could feel interested in the lesbian & gay film festivals, parades and other lesbian/gay events in Japan, I think it would be great.

YK:
Since The L Word became a hit, events have increased in LA, and sales of [lesbian] magazines [overseas] seem to have increased. It would be great if people could become enthusiastic about it also in Japan.

ST:
It's possible that when straight people watch it in Japan, they will think that because it's a foreign drama that such lesbians don't exist her. They'll think it's not a reality that applies to our country. But, I would like to say that that's not the case.

-- By the way, do you have a crush on any of the characters in The L Word?

ST:
Shane! Alice is also gorgeous.

YK:
Sadly, nobody, but I think that Carmen is pretty. And, from Season 3, a tomboyish out actress appears. Shane also cuts her hair in Season 2, and becomes more lesbian-looking. It's also fun to see these kinds of changes.

★ For the home page of Tokyo Wrestling, click here.

★Tokyo Wrestlingのホームページは、こちら。