Though the photo session with everyone all together had started suddenly, Takizawa talks about the flamenco dance "Andalusia ni akogarete" in his solo concert. "No matter what my arms and feet timing doesn't fit with everyone else's" and try it many times. The juniors around him start doing it, there the atmosphere is just like in a concert hall. Just that as Takizawa said, he's the only one who's timing is wrong. "Hey Inoo (J.J.Express), try it. I'm sure you won't be able to." but Inoo succeeded the very first time. "And i'm doing it since 11 years already...", Takizawa says, heartbroken.
At that time, people always gather around him, laughing voices never ceasing. But the photoshoot is starting, it's a total change from the bright smile he had some time ago, into a smart facial expression. Then the juniors too don't prolong the joking atmosphere and quickly go along. It's exactly "pro", that word neatly fits.
During the free time, he talks in the bus with Kitayama from Kis-My-Ft2. the subject becomes something like a personal discussion, and sending accurate advices : "you have such part so you should do that more right ?". Since he's young, Takizawa had a position to gather the juniors. For him, even without words, he has a charisma that attracts people. The conversational exchange with that person took place in the bus coming back. Takizawa then received a phone call from Kitayama. The subject was the consultation about the evening meal of that day. Quickly he gives the instructions on the phone : "All the juniors have to consult to choose what they want to eat. When you've decided, you contact me again, then we can choose the place and make the reservation." The truth is just before the phone call, he said "i want to eat yakiniku tonight". He didn't say it on the phone, he makes the juniors' hope a priority and asks. Seems like we can understand Why he can assemble the juniors.
The photoshoot in Neon Boneyard is over, once again in the bus to the Strip (a section of Las Vegas Boulevard South, many of the largest hotel, casino and resort properties in the world are located there.). Gazing at the show of the hotel's water fountain from the bus "there's a really good sense in the way of showing it". All the things he is photographing with his eyes, become just like his own food. With the photoshoot in Strip is over, the day of work is over.

Next day, from the afternoon it's a photoshoot in downtown Fremont Street. The photoshoot is done while he is walking. Some sociable americans call out : "Is he a japanese superstar ?" And when the staff answers "of course !" to the guy who adds "if it's so, he should make a show in Las Vegas ! If he do so, i'll go see it", it makes Takizawa laugh awkwardly. After that, watching the photoshoot scenery for a while this guy says "Translate what i am going to say to him. it was a short moment but his personality is splendid, i understood that as soon as i saw him..." and with those words he leaves the place.

Though it's the evening, the sunset hotness is severe in Las Vegas. while waiting for the camera setting, seeking the refreshing air, we take refuge inside the hotel. In the common structure of every hotel in Las Vegas, when you enter the hotel you can see a casino. The roulette, slot machines, black-jack tables, are lined up in narrow places. Takizawa never played in a casino. "As a human experience i'd like to try it once". Sink or swim, does he have that gambling spirit ?

"i do i do. regarding my job, it's almost that spirit. since the beginning it's a job where you can see the result, at first there's none (spirit). This is why, the duty i choose is to always do it with a gambling spirit even if i make mistakes, it's the readiness i have."

The cameraman asks "because you have a great army, won't you have a great victory ?". "Is that so ?" he says laughing with a clear smile, which is not suitable for gambling.

Just after the last pic of the photoshoot, the staff says "good job !" spontaneously and applause. Firm handshake with the photograph. They exchange greetings "Good job. Thank you very much." In spite of the hard photoshoot, the pouring rain, walking in the heat brought by the dry of the desert area, never showing it was painful, instead as a mood maker, Takizawa was always making a calm atmosphere. The staff expresses its gratitude to him.

In the bus coming back to the hotel, he gets excited speaking about the world famous illusionnist Franz Harary who he is going to meet. "I met with Franz many times in the past, i also went to his house. He's really a sociable person, he always has little magic tricks and show them to me. And he offers me those tricks. In the past, he gave me a cloth used in a magic trick, i trained too much and it was worn-out."

What attracts Takizawa in magic ? When they see it, people's facial expression change suddenly, there's a force that can attract people. Again, in the world of fantasy that he loves, he can make representation with magic. "But, learning from people who have merit like him is really an honour" he says heartily.

After the end of the photoshoot, on the side of the hotel's swimming pool, the last comment is collected. It's rare for him who usually dislike sweet food, but he ordered a sweet drink and a vanilla icecream. He drinks in one go half of the drink which was served in a big glass, and says "It's good!" while narrowing his eyes, with a smile just like a little student on summer holidays. And everytime the staff from the hotel come take his order he asks around him a barrage of questions like : "what did you answer ?" "at that moment, what should i answer ?". It seems like during his first private trip to Hawaii, he was ignited by the heat abroad.

The interview progresses smoothly, when it ends, a voice comes from the next table : "Excuse-me, are you Takizawa ?". It's a japanese family, an old couple with a son of the same age as Takizawa. After asking them, they came to visit their son who is studying abroad. The mother says, being somewhat a little excited : "We always watch the shows where you appear !". And he answers with a smile "Thank you. where are you from ?". Then, to the boy he says : "You're studying here ? Good luck !" with a kind voice. It was a moment where we could catch a glimpse of his personality which is simple and sociable wherever the place is.

"This time, when i heard i would do a show in Nichio theater, even with the meaning of lifting the mood, this trip to Las Vegas was really effective. I didn't came in Las Vegas because "Takizawa Enbujou" is about the japanese world so this time it should be the western. This city, Las Vegas, just by puting yourself here, inside the head it changes into the "Entertainment Mode" naturally. Anyway it's just stimulating all the time. Yes, i'm glad i could came."

What kind of stimulation did Takizawa got in Las Vegas, what did he acquire ? Look around in every nook and corner of the theater, include what can be seen, and what cannot be seen, to feel the message of Takizawa.

Part 1 ./. Part 2 ./. Part 3 ./. Part 4

photos © masakiaiba.net
©2006 mabo