Happy Birthday, Yuu!

Above, Yuu celebrating her birthday in Japan. Facebook photo posted by Yuu.

One of the most enjoyable things that came from publishing The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan in 2010 was that I was able to meet some nice people and become friends.

One of which was actress/model/Japanese language instructor Yuu Asakura. I enlisted her to pose for advertising photos for the travel guide and we have kept in touch ever since. I attended a play that she appeared in a few years ago. Unfortunately, due to work, I had to miss a couple of others she appeared in. Now that I'm retired and my time belongs to me, I will be able to attend future ones.

Above, at the press and kick-off party for the play, Utsutsu.

I was able to briefly see her last year at Don Glut's home in Burbank.

She is currently celebrating her birthday with her family in Japan.

Above, one of the promotional photos for the travel guide of Yuu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yuu has posted a number of photographs of her trip to Japan and it must be nice to celebrate a birthday with family while there.

Happy Birthday, Yuu!

Yuu Asakura In Laundry Detergent Ad In Japan

Above, Yuu Asakura appears in a laundry detergent ad now being shown in Japan.  She's the one with bangs in the yellow blouse (middle, right).

Yuu Asakura, actress/model/Japanese language instructor (and the first model for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan) is currently appearing in a laundry detergent commercial now running on Japanese television. The ad was shot in Los Angeles.

Here's the YouTube video that contains the ad (Yuu is in the first ad, set in a supermarket):

Above, Yuu Asakura and Armand at the press and kick-off party for the play "Utsutsu" in 2010.

The Caucasian girl speaking Japanese in the ads is Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr.

Good-bye, Royal/T Cafe

Above, the "Utsutsu" press and kick-off party at Royal/T Cafe.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Royal/T Cafe in Culver City has closed its doors for good.

I've only been there once (for the press and kick-off party for "Utsutsu"), but found the food and ambiance to be refreshing.  The staff couldn't be friendlier.

According to the Huffington Post:

Cosplay cuties, Japanophiles and pop art fans all over Los Angeles shed a tear this week when Royal/T Cafe -- a combination art space, shop and cafe -- closed its doors for the last time. 

For five years, the Culver City gem welcomed thousands of people for high tea, art exhibits and premiere parties. The playful combination of saucy waitress costumes, bold, colorful art and adorable objects for sale made for an overwhelming sense of kawaii -- the Japanese word for cute -- that will likely not be replicated soon. 

Actress, Japanese language instructor and model (for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan) Yuu Asakura invited me to attend the press and kick-off party that was being held for "Utsutsu" back in November 2010.  She also worked at Royal/T Cafe.

Above, swordplay demonstration at "Utsutsu" party at Royal/T.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to the Huffington article, Royal/T isn't dead:

Royal/T isn't dead; the concept is just taking on another, more fluid identity. The defunct cafe's site lists brand/art collaborations, pop ups, museum consulting and art trips as part of Royal/T's next life. 

This'll be interesting to see.  It should be interesting.  Best of luck to owner Susan Hancock.

To read the full article, go here.

Ryuji Yamakita In KATA-NA [SWORD]

Another friend is also appearing in the play, KATA-NA [Sword] in Santa Monica.  I just discovered this today.

Ryuji Yamakita, who I met at the press and kick-off party for Utsutsu in November 2010, is also appearing in the play along with Yuu Asakura and Kyoko Okazaki.

Above, Ryuji Yamakita (left) at the "Utsutsu" press and kick-off party in 2010.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

KATA-NA starts this Friday at the Morgan-Wixon Theatre.

Yuu Asakura In "KATA-NA"

My friend, actress and model for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan Yuu Asakura will be appearing in a new play in Santa Monica titled KATA-NA [Sword].

Go here for the trailer.

A Japanese sword action play: the end of Edo period.

Above, Yuu Asakura and Armand at the press and kick-off party for "Utsutsu" in November 2010.

 At the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica.

Show Schedule:
Aug. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 [in English]
Aug. 24, 25, 26 [in Japanese]

● For more info:
http://www.iki-e.com
https://www.facebook.com/ikicompanykatana

●For tickets:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3032332789

Kyoko Okazaki in KATA-NA [SWORD]

Above, Kyoko Okazaki, Armand and Masa Kanome at the press and kick-off party for "Utsutsu" in  November 2010.

My friend, actress Kyoko Okazaki will be appearing in a new play in Santa Monica titled KATA-NA [Sword].

Go here for the trailer.

A Japanese sword action play: the end of Edo period.

 At the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica.

Show Schedule:
Aug. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 [in English]
Aug. 24, 25, 26 [in Japanese]

● For more info:
http://www.iki-e.com
https://www.facebook.com/ikicompanykatana

●For tickets:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3032332789

Happy Birthday, Yuu Asakura!

Today is actress, model and Japanese-language instructor Yuu Asakura's birthday.

Regular readers of the Rancho know Yuu as the first promo model (photo above) for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

She first came to my attention in Donald F. Glut's movie The Mummy's Kiss: Second Dynasty (which also starred Christine Nguyen). Through Glut, I was able to contact Yuu for the photo shoot.

I found her to be a very nice person and easy to work with.

Last November, I got to see Yuu perform in the play, Utsutsu and she did a great job, especially in her death scene.



We met up at the press and kick-off party for Utsutsu in Culver City (above) a few days before.

Happy Birthday, Yuu!

Not The Same Girl

Above, Yuu Asakura with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo taken in March 2010 by Armand Vaquer.

Someone recently asked me if Yuu Asakura, who was my first model for promoting The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, is the Japanese porn star. Since the subject came up previously, I said no and promptly forgot about it.

Today, The Tokyo Reporter posted an article that Yu Asakura won the "best actress" award at the Sky PerfecTV! Adult Broadcasting Awards 2011 this month in Tokyo's Chiyoda district.

Above, Yuu Asakura and Armand at the press and kick-off party for the play, "Utsutsu" in November 2010. Yuu was a featured player in the production.

Out of curiosity, I took a look at the article and the pornstar Yu Asakura looks nothing like Yuu Asakura (I've seen pictures of her before and she is pretty, but I think Yuu is prettier). Also, note how their first names are spelled differently.

Hopefully, this will put to rest the confusion over the two.

To view the article and see what Yu Asakura looks like, go here.

Spotlight On Actress Kyoko Okazaki

Kyoko Okazaki is a rising young actress who appeared in the play, Utsutsu in Los Angeles this month.

She played the character Otose, who was a tomboy and dressed in male clothing to hide from yakuza's boss, Gonzo.

Kyoko was born and raised in Okayama, Japan and has appeared in several movies this past year, including Mr. Sophistication, The Scenesters, Luster and The Runaways.

She attended the Theater of Arts, College For The Contemporary Actor in Los Angeles.



I first met Kyoko at the press and kick-off party for Utsutsu earlier this month and found her to have a bubbly personality.

She has a natural style to her acting and I found her performance in Utsutsu to be compelling.

Above, Kyoko Okazaki with Armand and "Utsutsu" co-star Masamichi Kanobe.

She graciously put me on her personal list for a performance of Utsutsu.

Here is the link to her IMDb page.

Kyoko Okazaki is one to keep an eye out for!

Utsutsu (English Version)

Above, the poster for "Utsutsu." Click on the image to see it full-size.

"1850s Japan - nearly the end of Edo period. The villagers at Akenobe were suffering from the tyranny of the heartless Governor, who controlled the people by power and fear. The Governor had been overtaxing the villagers and taking the daughters to work for the Yakuza's brothels when they could not pay..."

The above is an excerpt from the Utsutsu (Genesis: The Blind Swordsman) official program.

I attended tonight's performance of Utsutsu and enjoyed it, despite being hobbled by two sprained/strained feet (long story). But I made it!

The play was presented tonight in English. The play will be performed tomorrow night in English and in Japanese on November 26, 27 and 28 at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater at 4800 Hollywood Blvd. (near Vermont Ave.) in Los Angeles.

The sets were sparse, but versatile and the acting was very good with lots of swordplay action. Yuu Asakura appeared as a prostitute in the play and her death scene was impressive. She was able to "die" with her eyes open and was able to keep them open for over a minute without blinking. (She told me afterward that she struggled a couple of times.)

It was a bit long, but, fortunately, there is a 15-minute intermission.

Attending a Japanese play was a new experience for me, but it was well worth attending. If you are in Los Angeles tomorrow night or the aforementioned dates when the play is presented in Japanese, by all means go see it.

For ticket information, go to http://www.itsmyseat.com/Utsutsu.html

"Utsutsu" Press and Kick-off Party

Above, the poster for "Utsutsu." Click on the image to see it full-size.

Japanese swordplay is coming to Southern California and I attended the Utsutsu press and kick-off party this evening.

At the party, held at Royal T in Culver City, I met the cast and crew.

I received an invitation to attend the press and kick-off party from actress/model/Japanese language instructor Yuu Askakura. Regular Rancho readers know Yuu as the model for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. She will be appearing in the play.

The play, to be held this month at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, is about a blind swordsman. The title of the play is Utsutsu (Genesis: Blind Swordsman) and it was written by Junko Honkawa and Masue Ogawa. The English translation is by John D. Swain. The production is produced and directed by Ryuji Yamakita.

It was an enjoyable evening and it included refreshments and a swordplay demonstration by some of the actors of the play.

Utsutsu, will be presented in an unusual way. It will be presented some nights in English, while on other nights it will be presented in Japanese. Most of the players, if not all, are Japanese nationals.

For more information on Utsutsu and to purchase tickets go to http://www.itsmyseat.com/Utsutsu.html.

Here are some photos of tonight's press and kick-off party:

Above, I was able to reunite with the lovely Yuu Asakura.

Above, producer and director Ryuji Yamakita and Yoshi Ando.

Above, here I am flanked by "Utsutsu" players Kyoko Okazaki (Otose) and Masamichi Kanobe.

Above, the party attendees gather for the swordplay demonstration.

Above and below, the swordplay demonstration.



Above, following the swordplay demonstration, the players graciously posed for photographs.

If you are in Hollywood, or plan to be in Hollywood from November 19 to 28, be sure to attend a performance of Utsutsu.