ItalianoGEINOUJIN KAKUZUKE CHECK ～ DO TOP-NOTCH PERFORMERS HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF 「WA」！？ SPECIAL～ (Wa (和)) *Japanese cultural concept usually translated as “harmony”, strictly connected with the idea of what is Japanese and what means to be Japanese *
April 4th, from 7:00 to 9:48
Host: Hamada Masatoshi
Co-Host: Hirodo Ayumi (ABC announcer)
Top-notch artists (Alphabetical order) : Aibu Saki, Izumi Pinko, Ichikawa En’nosuke, GACKT, Kusabue Mitsuko, Shinoda Mariko, Takata Mayuko, Hakata Daikichi, Hashimoto Daijiro, Yusuke Santamaria.
The title of this episode is “Geinoujin Kakuzuke Check ～ Do top-notch artists have a knowledge of 「WA」！？ Special～” and we will test the ‘Knowledge of the Wa’ that top-notch performers active in Japan should have!
If they are first-class artists it is just a matter of course but, if by any chance they happen to make a mistake, they will be gradually downgraded from Top-class → Normal → Second rate → Third rate → Look alike → Not worth showing their image (They are really eliminated from the screen)!
This time, the rule will be that all 10 top artists gathered will challenge the checks as part of the same team! For each check, a “Clear-line of knowledge” has been prepared where “If three or more artists are successful out of 5, they will be safe “, and if they are less then 3, the rank of all artists will be lowered! The tension is doubled with this collective responsibility system where ones lack of knowledge will bring down all other artists too. This way of challenging the checks as a group promises to be a great highlight of this special!
To take on this challenge will be the following 10 artists (Alphabetical order) Aibu Saki, Izumi Pinko, Ichikawa En’nosuke, GACKT, Kusabue Mitsuko, Shinoda Mariko, Takata Mayuko, Hakata Daikichi, Hashimoto Daijiro, Yusuke Santamaria. the host will be the well-known Hamada Masatoshi. It will be worth watching artists with no knowledge be bashed by Hamada! In addition, this time, GACKT, who holds the personal record of 48 consecutive right choices in the New Year broadcast, will take part in this special for the first time! As undefeated emperor, what about GACKT’s knowledge…..!?
There will be only top-class celebrities with full knowledge of the “Wa” or there will be performers with no knowledge of the “Wa” not worth showing their image? Wait for the shocking development that will make you unable to take your eyes from the screen until the end
Knowledge of the ‘Wa’ Check 1
“Are you able to read the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac?”
For the first, simple check, artists will have to draw a card with one character from the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac on it, and choose the corresponding plushy that represents the real animal! Since these are characters seen every year on New Year day, it should be something already known. Will the artists be able to make a good start!?
Knowledge of the ‘Wa’ Check 2
“House visit as a married couple”
Since the ancient times in Japan manners are taken into high consideration when visiting someones house. Here we check the knowledge of etiquette while visiting someone’s house as a married couple! We will make two artists pair as a couple and, with the setting of introducing the wife in a visit to the house of someone superior where you usually have to show your gratitude, their knowledge of manners will be thoroughly checked from their “Manners at the front door”, “Waiting for the head of the family”, “After the husband has arrived”, “How to receive the tea and refreshments”, “How to leave the house” and similar things.
Knowledge of the ‘Wa’ Check 3
“Japanese inventions – Proper use of the Tasuki, Proper use of a kerosene pump, Proper way to open Onigiri and Temaki sushi from a conbini.”
Here will be checked the ability to handle Japanese famous inventions! The contents of the check will be: the “Tasukigake” or the use of the cord called Tasuki, used to tie up the sleeves of Japanese clothes so that they don’t become an hindrance; the use of “Kerosene pumps”, used in cold winters to insert kerosene in the heater or similar; how to open “Onigiri and Temaki Sushi from the conbini” that sell no less than 50 billions pieces a year in Japan. Will they be able to make it through this challenge…?
Knowledge of the ‘Wa’ Check 4
“The knowledge of playing the Kozutsumi”
This check will test the ability to play the ‘Kozutsumi’, a traditional percussion instrument, with his typical ‘Pon’ sound! The price of the kozutsumi used in the show is no less than 1.5 million yen! It would be a disaster if the skin of the drum should tear! It will put artists under incredible pressure… . Will they make it?
Knowledge of the ‘Wa’ Check 5
“Knowledge of the manners required for Japanese-styled foods – How to make good Japanese tea, The refined way to eat soba, The right way to eat steam-boiled Matsutake mushrooms, The right way to eat Japanese soups”
Registered as Unesco Immaterial Cultural Heritage, Japanese foods are increasingly attracting world’s attention. For Japanese people it is natural to know the right way to eat them. This time they will be challenged to show their manners related to this 4 Japanese foods: “How to make good Japanese tea”, “The refined way to eat soba”, “The right way to eat steam-boiled Matsutake mushrooms”, and “The right way to eat Japanese soups”. In particular, the soup will contain shell prawns, and challengers will have to struggle removing their shell… .
Knowledge of the ‘Wa’ Check 6
“Kids games – Knowledge of spinning tops, Knowledge of the crane origami, Knowledge of the cat’s cradle game”
Lastly, the check that will test if, as Japanese people wishing to pass along these traditional kids games, they can use them properly! This check will challenge them with 3 games “The knowledge of spinning tops”, “The knowledge of the crane origami”, and “The knowledge of the cat’s cradle game”.
If they are top-class artists they will naturally have this “Knowledge of the ‘Wa'”, but at the end of this 6 checks which will be their rank? Will they be able to maintain the top-class rank, or there will be the fatal mistake that will make them disappear from the screen!? This 3 hours special full of interesting points will make you laugh, will surprise you, and will also be a chance to study things that you thought you knew and in reality you don’t! Don’t miss it!!
Source: asahi.co.jp
Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team
Translation © GACKT ITALIA