Onitsuka Tiger x SPACE SHOWER TV | "Sapporo Chapter" Featuring Diva of Tearful Songs, YU-A, Now Airing!

Onitsuka Tiger

Onitsuka Tiger × SPACE SHOWER TV "BACK TO HOME supported by Onitsuka Tiger"
Part 2

Ballad Diva YU-A's "Sapporo Edition" Now Airing!

Launched in April, "BACK TO HOME supported by Onitsuka Tiger" is a new program on the music specialty channel "SPACE SHOWER TV" (CS broadcast). Each month, an artist returns to the city where they grew up, and with "BACK TO HOME" as the keyword, the program delves into the latest fashion from Onitsuka Tiger's global expansion, music, and the artist's origins and present. The artist featured in the second installment, airing in May 2010, is YU-A, the ballad diva who garners overwhelming support from women her age. She visits Sapporo, a city filled with her cherished memories. YU-A was born in 1986.

*The new SPACE SHOWER TV program segment "BACK TO HOME supported by Onitsuka Tiger" within "SPEZIA AREA" will air "Sapporo Edition Part 2" on May 12 (Wed), "Sapporo Edition Part 3" on May 19 (Wed), and "Sapporo Edition Part 4" on May 26 (Wed), from 19:00 to 20:30 each day! A gift selected by YU-A will also be offered during the program.

Text by OPENERSPhotos by Emiko Hara

YU-A Returns to Sapporo: BACK TO HOME

At Nakajima Park

YU-A is gaining attention as a next-break artist with her cute looks, husky, soulful voice, and dazzling dance performances. Her relatable, straightforward lyrics, as heard in her 3rd single "Soba ni Ite, Sugu Kiete" (Be By My Side, Then Disappear Quickly), resonate with teenage and twenty-something women. At the end of March, she successfully completed her first tour, "PERFORMANCE 2010," in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.

I lived in Sapporo until I was 19. I can't really come back for personal reasons now, but I'm returning in April twice for live performances and once for this Onitsuka Tiger interview, so while I don't feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, Horohira Bridge, where I used to come to watch fireworks during my school days, is somewhere I haven't been in a long time.

Nakajima Park is also a place full of memories. When I was 16, I was chosen as a cheerleader for the J.League's Consadole Sapporo, the youngest ever at the time, and dancing here often was very helpful. I really practiced every day.

I started vocal lessons when I was 17 and debuted in Tokyo at 19. I still can't say I like Sapporo's charm (laughs), probably because of the snow. Living here, half the year is a battle with snow... But the snow is beautiful to look at, and it contributes to the image of a wonderful city, doesn't it? I recently sang at the Asahikawa Snow Festival, and even though it was cold, everyone came to see me, and I felt the emotion clearly through the falling snow.

Lyrics I Can Only Write Now, My Own Pace

3rd Single "Soba ni Ite, Sugu Kiete"

The reactions I feel most strongly from people who listen to my music are in the blog comments. "Everyone feels this way too." I think there are lyrics that only I can write at this moment. In fact, I sometimes think about lyrics I wrote a year ago and feel they might not be right now. In that sense, the period from high school to my early twenties is a time of constant change. I feel like I'm living through a period of transformation right now.

Is this a personality typical of people from Hokkaido? What would that be? Patient? I'm not patient at all (laughs). My friends who live here are all really laid-back. Maybe I'm just on my own pace?

I always thought Onitsuka Tiger sneakers were really cute and stylish. This time, I chose red sneakers to match my red sunglasses, and coordinated them for a sporty 80s look.

What is "BACK TO HOME" for YU-A?

When I think of "BACK TO HOME," I remember my parents' home in Sapporo. My grandparents were there too, the meals were warm and delicious, and it was a home with many of the good things about Japan.

BACK TO HOME──
Reflections on revisiting the city where you grew up.

If I were to describe the years until I was 19 in Sapporo with a color, it would be purple. Back then, my dream of becoming a singer hadn't come true yet, and I had a lot of anxiety; it was my rebellious phase, and I was clashing with everything... What color would it be now? Maybe light blue? It feels like I've become clearer after overcoming those things. I've really changed in the last couple of years.

What singing means to me──

When I did my solo concerts in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka in March, I strongly felt for the first time that live performances are something we create together. Everyone raised my energy, I became one with everyone, and live performances are truly alive. There are many things like recording and interviews, but I truly believe live performances are the best. Through live shows, I could also envision the next album and gained a solid sense of accomplishment. It was an unforgettable March.

Cardigan ¥8,295, Cutsew ¥10,500, Shoes "RUNSPARK®" ¥11,550

At Nakajima Park

<ON AIR INFORMATION>
In June, 175R will be BACK TO HOME in Fukuoka!
Stay tuned!

SPACE SHOWER TV "BACK TO HOME supported by Onitsuka Tiger" Official Website
http://www.spaceshowertv.com/backtohome/

Onitsuka Tiger SAPPORO
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Tel. 011-222-9200
Hours | 10:00 - 20:00
Irregular holidays

Onitsuka Tiger Store Information
http://www.asics.co.jp/onitsukatiger/stores/