Takehara Pistol: “It’s Always Been Fun, So I Never Felt Like I Had to Pay My Dues”
Surprisingly, he revealed that “Yakōzen was originally planned as a temporary unit.”
“We decided we’d give it our all for just one year, and if we didn’t make our debut, we’d quit. We did around 100 live shows in a year, entered auditions and contests, and thanks to the connections we made along the way, we somehow managed to debut. There were times when I was balancing part-time jobs with band activities, but it was always fun. That’s why I don’t feel like I ever had to pay my dues.”
After about 10 years of activity, the two classmates decided to bring Yakōzen to an end and go their separate ways. Takehara then traveled around the country as a solo “singer,” performing more than 250 live shows a year at small venues.
“After Hamano-kun was no longer by my side, I realized how much his piano had been supporting me musically. But I was the one who suggested the breakup, so I felt a fire inside, thinking, ‘I’ll definitely show him,’ ‘I’ll prove that breaking up wasn’t a mistake.’ It was my pride talking (laughs). I managed everything myself, from booking shows to scheduling. I was performing about six days a week, but the fact that my voice wasn’t affected by how I was feeling physically was a blessing.”
Why me?
Takehara is also well-known as an actor. He gained recognition after appearing in the 2011 film Saya Zamurai, directed by Hitoshi Matsumoto (61), and later won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 40th Japan Academy Awards for his role in the 2016 film The Long Excuse. He expressed his desire to continue taking on acting roles as long as offers keep coming in.
“Creating a character is a really advanced skill. Professionals constantly think about their character’s backstory, and they even change their body shape and personality to match the role. I can’t do that. I just follow the director’s instructions, so I’ve never felt like I gave a good performance through my own ability. It’s a bit of a cliché, but I think most of the awards I’ve received were thanks to the directors.”
While he may have a modest view of his acting abilities, his public attention remains high. This year alone, he has already been cast in three films.
“Every time I get an offer, I honestly think, ‘Why me?’ But on a personal level, I find it fun. With music, I can confidently say, ‘Leave it to me!’ but with acting, it’s like there’s something about me that others find appealing, something I’m not even aware of. I enjoy thinking about that while I work on a role. Although, to be honest, the characters I play usually have the same hairstyle and the same acting style, so it’s basically the same role (laughs).”
As for his family’s reaction, he had something to say.
“My son used to watch me with some interest, but now he doesn’t seem to watch at all. And my wife doesn’t comment on my acting—she only talks about how bad my posture is. When I stood next to Masahiro Motoki (59) in The Long Excuse, she said, ‘Your belly’s sticking out!’ and ‘Your big skull is so noticeable!’ I’m like, ‘Watch my acting!’ (laughs).”
