Ishizuka’s Respect for Uganda Tora: Hero of Fat Talent

Drinking ″curry″ is surprisingly difficult: ……

“Good day, everyone. Did you wake up this morning with a numb back? This is Hidehiko Ishizuka. Today, I’d like to talk about the Tokyo Fat Talent Union.

Have you heard of the ‘Curry Drinking Party,’ where fat talents from Tokyo gather to drink curry? Once a year, on the anniversary of Uganda Tora’s passing, Tokyo’s fat talents gather, and at 9 p.m., everyone stands and drinks curry in front of a portrait of Uganda Tora.

The organizer is Uganda’s close friend, radio DJ and wrestling ring announcer, Kay Grant. The members include Hidehiko Ishizuka, Great Gidayu, Kunihiro Matsumura, Shinji Uchiyama, Papaya Suzuki, Hikomaro, Imoazakasaka Kakaricho, Ishimoto of Dorons, and many other familiar fat faces.

First, let me explain the pyramid of fat talents in the entertainment industry. At the top of the pyramid sits Bu Takagi. Just by running or falling into a pond, Takagi can make the entire living room burst into laughter. He is the one who laid the foundation for fat talent in the entertainment world.

Uganda Tora, despite being overweight, was light on his feet. Despite being heavy, he won the celebrity swimming competition, beating idols. He was also the best drummer. He showed us the possibilities of fat people and at the same time, explored the correct way to portray fat people on television.

We, the fat talents of Tokyo, have learned so much from Uganda. Who we are today is thanks to Bu Takagi and Uganda Tora.

So, once a year, we gather to drink curry. While remembering Uganda’s famous words, ‘Curry is a drink.’ But, in reality, it’s not something just anyone can do. At the first ‘Curry Drinking Party,’ all of us, not accustomed to drinking curry, were coughing and choking simultaneously.”

 

The Unspoken Legends of Uganda Tora

“I had the opportunity to go on location shoots with Uganda Tora several times, and from him, I learned the correct way to be a fat person on television.

Before one shot, when I went to greet Uganda Tora, he said to me, ‘Ishizuka, why are you wearing a white T-shirt? It makes your sweat stand out.’ When I looked at him, he was wearing a gray T-shirt, and there were clear dark sweat stains on it. Ah, I see, this is what it’s about.

On another shot, when I was eating a shortcake neatly, Uganda Tora said, ‘Ishizuka, why don’t you get whipped cream around your mouth? You’re fat, right?’ Indeed, in cartoons, fat characters often have rice grains on their face or end up with cream all over their mouths when eating cake.

There was also a shoot where we had to walk for about 20 minutes to reach a waterfall and drink beer. Uganda Tora asked the staff, ‘Do we really have to walk for 20 minutes?’ The director replied, ‘Sorry, we want to capture the scene of you sweating after a little struggle to get to the waterfall.’

But when I looked at Uganda Tora, he was already drenched in sweat, even though he hadn’t walked a step. Ah, I get it now. This is the true way to be a fat person. Uganda Tora taught me not with words, but with sweat. Too cool, senior.

I’m 62 now, but even today, when there’s cake on a shoot, I make sure to get whipped cream around my mouth, and even if I sweat, I never wipe it with a handkerchief until the camera is off me. The legend of Uganda Tora is far from finished. More to come, eventually.”

From FRIDAY December 6, 2024 issue.