Hiroshi Tachi on Acting: “I’m not a good actor, but an actor should be someone who leaves a lasting impression on people’s hearts.”

A whip of love from the esteemed Wataru

Tachi joined Ishihara Productions in 1983 after appearing in the “Seibu Keisatsu” series. Since then, he says he has never received acting instruction from Ishihara or Wataru, nor has he ever been scolded by them.

He said, “Only once did Mr. Wataru give me a warning. When I was getting used to shooting “Seibu Keisatsu (Western Police),” I started to enjoy acting and began to insert some small plays. However, when Mr. Wataru saw that, he said to me, “You’re getting better at acting these days.” He also implicitly told me, “Don’t do that kind of acting.” I think he was trying to tell me that there were many actors who were good at acting, and that I couldn’t compete with them in technique, and that I should be charming with my presence instead of just doing small tricks.”

“In fact, I am not a good actor. I am not the only one. Yujiro and Wataru were not good actors either. But both of them could change the atmosphere of the place just by being on the screen. It may be necessary to interpret the script and perform well, but the most important thing for an actor is to be someone who will remain in people’s hearts. That is what Mr. Watari taught me.”

 

This is not something that can be done by studying plays or memorizing lines. That is why Tachi laughs and says that Ishihara’s motto was “Play well, play hard”. Golf and yachting are both games he learned to play after joining Ishihara Productions.

“I traveled to many countries and fell in love with many women. By taking in the impressions and surprises I gained in these ways, I formed myself as an actor. The same is true of Ishihara Productions’ soup kitchens in the aftermath of major disasters. It has been said that a soup kitchen does not improve one’s acting, and that it is a publicity stunt. But we are very serious.”

“We even bought a rice cake pounder with the money we raised to buy a camera for filming. We moved to cheer up the disaster area even a little, which is our way of life, and we believe that this experience will also help us as actors. Well, in this day and age, it might not be acceptable to say ‘play rather than memorize lines’ (laughs).”

Tachi has appeared in a variety of productions over the years, but one of his best-known works is the popular TV drama series “Abunai Keisatsu” (Nippon Television Network Corporation), which began airing in 1986. His latest film, “The Abhinai Detective Returns,” is scheduled to be released in May. The film features the light-hearted and flashy action of the detective buddy team of Taka (Toshiki Takayama), played by Tachi, and Yuji (Yuji Oshita), played by Kyouhei Shibata (72).

 

“I consider “Abunai Keisatsu” to be a major cultural undertaking. Until then, Japanese detective dramas were all heavy and tragic. Abu Detective” rejected this trend and presented a comical and fashionable detective drama. Kyohei Shibata created that lighthearted worldview. When the drama began in my late 30s, I was busy playing (laughs). I didn’t have time to read the script, so I just read my lines.”

“But that was how I knew the story. In other words, I was the basis for explaining the origin and conclusion of the story, and Kyo-sama was coloring the rhythm and worldview. That is why “Detective Abu” is a work of Kyohei Shibata, and I am very happy that I am still working with him. As you can imagine, he had his hands full with the action, though.”