Nishimura of “Baikingu” and Kawamoto of “Westland” talk about “The Bonfire Club taught me everything I know about comedy.

There is a mysterious group that is secretly attracting attention among comedians. Its name is the “Bonfire Society. The group has only nine members, including the leader, pin comedian Hiroshi (51), but surprisingly, about half of them are champions of famous award shows. In addition to Futoshi Kawamoto (39) of “Westland,” winner of last year’s M-1 Grand Prix, the group also includes Shusuke Murata (43) of “Toro Salmon,” winner of the ’17 M-1, Mizuki Nishimura (45) of “Baikingu,” King of Conte 2012, and R-1 Grand Prix 2015 (45), and Junichi Davidson (48), the winner of the R-1 Grand Prix 2015, are just a few of the eminent names on the list.

The Bonfire Club has become known as a “sell out if you enter. How is it possible to produce so many champions?

In late February, when the weather was still chilly, this magazine went undercover to a meeting held at a campsite in the suburbs of Chiba Prefecture. We sought the secrets of the group from Hiroshi, Kawamoto, and Bears’ Camp Shimada (45), a junior member of Hiroshi’s office, who were all there that day.

Hiroshi said, “ The name ‘bonfire party’ comes from the name of a LINE group that the nine of us created. We gather together, but what we do is just like solo camping. We don’t make any decisions, nor do we do anything together.

True to their word, the three gathered in the early afternoon and set up their hammocks and tents separately. After setting up in a few minutes, the next task was to build a fire. However, the firewood was too wet and would not catch fire.

Shimada said, “ It’s no good. This wood is soaking wet.

Kawamoto: “ Really?　My place is dry. Why is it different?”

Hiroshi “ It’s the difference between winning or not.”

Kawamoto: “ Thank you!”

After less than an hour of light-hearted exchanges, they finished preparing the sleeping area and campfire, and now the cooking began. While Shimada deftly prepared paprika cream cheese rolls, Kawamoto opened a bag of instant noodles.

Kawamoto said , “ I usually eat Marutai ramen. It has a rich flavor and is very good.

Hiroshi said, “ Huh?　Aren’t you usually eating cup noodles because you said it’s too much trouble?”

Kawamoto: “ You don’t have to reveal that (laughs). I brought them here for the interview!

Kawamoto then began to boil water with a burner even though he had prepared a bonfire.

Kawamoto said, “ If you boil water over an open fire, it’s a hassle to clean up. Easy is best.

Shimada: “ After all, when you are the champion, you can afford to be.

Kawamoto, who said it had been a long time since he had participated in the event, had a hectic time, spilling some water and making a mistake in the amount of water, resulting in light-flavored ramen. Hiroshi, on the other hand, put a griddle on the fire and pulled out a large steak.

Hiroshi said, “ Everyone has different tastes in cooking. Shimada-kun is a very elaborate cook. On the other hand, Ta-chan is not particular at all. I cook, too, but I like simple things like grilling meat.

Kawamoto: “ Cooking over an open fire is something I’ve always wanted to do. I want to do it too, but I have to clean up.

Hiroshi: “ You’ve only talked about cleaning up for a while now.

Friends and rivals.

Two hours have passed so far, and there is still zero talk about their work. Perhaps sensing the impatient air of this magazine’s reporter, the three gathered around Hiroshi’s bonfire and began to talk about their past activities.

Hiroshi said, “ This is the ninth year for the bonfire group. Shimada-kun has been with us since the early days, and Ta-chan has been with us since a few years after that. Most of them are now in their 40s, and the topics of conversation these days are exclusively about their illnesses.”

Shimada : “ The cold weather must be taking its toll on them.

Hiroshi “ The biggest change is that there are now many champions. Especially Futa-chan has changed after winning the championship. First of all, his voice has become louder. And we have new camping equipment. Today, he even started to put wax on his face to make him look more presentable.

Kawamoto: “ It’s kind of embarrassing.

Before the finals, Kawamoto was presented with camping gear as a pep talk by all the members. …… Furthermore, regarding his own artistic style, Kawamoto says, “I learned everything I know from the bonfire party.

Kawamoto : “ For a long time, I had trouble getting ahead in variety shows. When I asked for advice on this, everyone told me, ‘First of all, count your moves. I was advised to just say whatever came to mind. It is true that Junichi-san and others say a lot of really stupid things (laughs). But that’s important, isn’t it? If you don’t put yourself out there, nothing will get done. The staff will do the rest and edit it in a good way.

Hiroshi: “ That’s leaving too much to others (laughs).

Kawamoto: “ Also, everyone at the bonfire party is very outspoken. That’s why I do the “tsukkomi” (comedic commentary) on my own. In such a situation, the professionals who have won the competition laugh at my tsukkomi. That also gave me confidence.

His way of thinking has also changed.

Kawamoto: “ When I ask Hiroshi-san about my problems, he ends with a self-deprecating remark: ‘I haven’t appeared on TV. But he is very successful on YouTube, with over 1.1 million subscribers. It was very gratifying to hear that TV is not everything. Since I started coming to the bonfire party, I am no longer in a strange hurry. I have also decided to enjoy this year’s M-1 competition. That kind of change has had a positive impact on my work.

Hiroshi said, “ You’ve got nothing but good things to say. Let’s talk about something funny like comedians do. Let’s talk about how Ta-chan peed in my car on the way home from camping.

Kawamoto “ What are you talking about?　That was after drinking at an izakaya in Tokyo. Yes, I did pee my pants. ……

Shimada “ What part are you denying? (laughter).

As the sun began to set, the three of us started preparing for dinner. When I finally asked if he was going to give them advice on their stories, Hiroshi denied it with a serious face, then muttered, “We are rivals. We are close to each other, supporting and sometimes stimulating each other. Perhaps that is the secret of their success.

From the April 14, 2023 issue of FRIDAY