*WARNING: this contains what appears to be a MAJOR Cherry Pie spoiler so read the 6th Element at your own risk.

Keiko Kitagawa- Elements of an Actress
interview/composition by: Aya Wakayama
Photographer: Takao Ota

Profile
Born 186 in Hyogo prefecture. Modeled for magazine 'Seventeen' for approximately 3 years. This May she made her film debut in Mamiya Kyoudai. In September 'Wild Speed x 3: Tokyo Drift' was released resulting in much conversation. Others include 'Mizu no Sumu Hana', 'Cherry Pie' (other things from uplink X in the midst of release) 'Heat island' (opening early summer 2007). Look forward to further works from this young actress.

1st Element: Beauty
"Something I learnt whilst living in America."

"For the opportunity of starring in a Hollywood film (Wild Speed x 3 Tokyo Drift) this year for a 2 month period I experienced life in America for a short time as an overseas student. Socializing together with American friends and learning from the culture, without being influenced by the surroundings I took a hold of my own spirit and boldly thought it would be good to set out doing what I wanted. Wearing the clothes I wanted would be good. I'm a person who stoically faces towards something that I should aim for. At a glance first impressions can be difficult but I think I want to be a beautiful looking person who will do her best."

2nd Element: Job
"A promise to my mother and father."

"Up until now I've been allowed to study numerous things including piano, swimming, and calligraphy. However with my parents not having anything prepared for me as an adult, I decided by myself, what is it I want to do.... So whilst I was worrying endlessly I was scouted when I was around 18. It was probably good timing with God giving me a supportive push on my back. With entering the entertainment world my parents continued to oppose what I was doing. I tried it for one year thinking when it becomes no good I'll just quit. I was finally given approval on the stipulation that I would prioritize my university studies to properly graduate. Every time it seems that the mixture of both work and studies was being crushed I would remember the promise I made to my parents and that would cheer me up."

3rd Element: Living
"I often read authors work."

"For my 3rd year I began to live on my own. It reached the point that all housework could be handled efficiently. To spend my time without wasting it I would listen to music and read. At the book store I'd look at and choose a cover, if it was was an author I liked I'd read through all their work. For example Kiyokazu Shigematsu, Onda Riku, Miuraayako etc, Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist', a boy traveling for his dream which I read in English. It's recently been the most interesting book that I've read, so if I've got books, western fashion magazine and music I can live (laugh)."

4th Element: Play
"People who wear 'two pairs of straw sandals.'"

"With a friend I get deep into conversation at a cafe, eat a meal, watch a film. This is a usual habit for a university student. Be that as it may every day, work or school which do I have? Nevertheless when the day is over I return to my room, that brings me the greatest relief. Baths don't do much for me so to relief fatigue for a long or short time I'll continue to soak half my body in the water and at the start apply aroma oils heating the water and dropping into the bath. With the aroma effects use body cream, the aroma sooths the sole, something I've gotten into."

5th Element: Knowledge
"Important things are paying ahead."

"Since I was young, my parents taught me that 'Something which a person wants is something a person should give' 'paying ahead' is the term. Being treated with kindness, means that next you can pass over that kindness to someone else, no matter whom. For doing an action for the sake of someone else you mustn't be expecting collateral in return. Whilst being cautious of this even you yourself are capable of definitely being saved by someone else. Therefore I think you must never forgot those feelings of thankfulness."

6th Element: Plus A
"What is equality?"

"For the film 'Cherry Pie' I couldn't except the realization that the role of Kiyohara that I played, was a really liked person who suddenly dies. When I was in the second year of junior school I experienced losing lots of important people all at once in the Kobe earthquake disaster. Therefore I can fully understand Kiyohara's feelings. The kid that was sitting next to me is now dead but I'm still alive? What the hell is equality? I thought. I became to think that you were only separated by time alone and that those person had reached the time that they had been given. For me not to have any regrets I want to go on using my time.

Seventeen June 15, 2006 article [Sawai Fan]

My current problem. Natural eyesight and super long hair
(in other words how to have long hair and not get it in your eyes, heh)

    Coordinating my hair and make up on my face is important I think. When I met blonde foreigners just as I thought they were incredible but "I'm okay as I am" is how I became to think

    My hair is incredible long. The direction of the tip of my hair "probably 2 years ago was weird" I thought, it's regrettable became its like string (laugh) For the color I added brown but became around a [dyed brown hair] state that I couldn't look at.
After that, I bought some expensive shampoo at a hair salon. What's to say is that It contained no additives. Time of using the shampoo I placed it, washed and rinsed, applied the treatment and for about 15 minutes wrapped my hair in a towel and used the bath tub. I really don't like the bathtub but I can stand (laugh) After just let it dry. With using the dryer I had a worn out feeling but recently I've become to like it

    A natural coordination of your make up with and hair is good. With your own make up apply a little mascara to your eyelashes and apply jade to finish it off. It took me 15 minutes. Cover with just konshira (I have no idea what this is). Not painting my face with fan tension, before I could not go out without properly applying make up but now I think it's okay to only apply it properly during important times "why is it today that I'm not different from my normal self?" well it can be said that's for the best.. I think. Today it's that sort of day I go out and want to apply make up. In America, with cut of length hair, how do I say it, to make my hair not stiff I took notice of people, its the sort of feeling I want to have (laugh). It was an intellectual feeling, my eyelashes are short but long would be good. My clothes hmm, they kinda became rough, before "if I was to wear this I wonder what would be said" that's what I thought, if they suit me, its not about what people think. Whether you're popular or not even though you may regret your choice I don't think its something I'll probably think about. Recently If I think that's a good item I've become someone who seem to choose it. "Today with a skirt I wonder if I'll be girlie" I decided this morning, I'm in high spirits (laugh). Before that make up everyday I used only the same makeup. Recently, depending on the day I exchange shadow color with beige and plain, may be a lot but I also bought pink and blue to try. Further still today I got some persimmon painted on. It may be an unusual color but its pretty!

    Since taking care of my feeling from that time, after 3 months I became an entirely different person which I think is probably a good thing. Please look forward to that current me. This summer I wonder if I'll become to look woman-like - why am I thinking that! (laugh) I wonder if I should diet !?
 

ABC Shooting Star Radio Interview [Sawai Fan]

Radio Interview

[Source] [credit: Karyuudan] [Download] [5 MB]

Translation of Clip [Sawai Fan]

Your granddad:
radio drama, I did it properly, but honestly I probably done it around 3 times before. That's a useful part, that I've finished it before. After I knew I got the part it was another opportunity. When I get the chance I'll like to try and do it I think.

No doubt staring at keiko out of camera dude:
How did you read into (think about) the original works rehearsals?

Your granddad:
Once again I'm the full of cold, Hirun sensei, who I read as an individual person with a weak will. The fatigue and added demands is recently something I liked. In front of everyone, no matter what is said, its a very dishonest story. As for myself, from now when the times comes and if I get the chance that'll be good I think

No doubt staring at keiko out of camera dude: Thank you very much. Go ahead, this is your first drama?

The Keiko:
Yes, this is the first time I received a role

No doubt staring at keiko out of camera dude:
How was it?

The Keiko:
Somehow, that sort of performance I've not had much experience on set with it. My partner hasn't a cold so just coordinating his voice was really hard for him I thought

No doubt staring at keiko out of camera dude:
What do you think of today's story?

The Keiko:
Regardless of what the original work is I don't know if I could transmit the role (perform well) but when I received the script I liked the story but whether I can do it, I've become really apprehensive

Your granddad:
You understand that the child's story is really good right?

The Keiko:
Yep, I also like it, its a dream. As is it, I think its a story for the type who don't read. I liked it

FFTD Red Carpet Interview [Sawai Fan]

Title
     19 year old model with 3 works (films) under her name debuts on the red carpet. Keiko Kitagawa high speed Japanese person in Hollywood.

Text on right

     Sonny Chiba also appears in wild speed. The main character played by Lucas and is set in the streets of Tokyo. Superb drift races with repeating over car action. Famous rapper Bow Wow performance becomes the subject of discussion. From Japan Sonny Chiba (67) also performs. On the day of the premier Lucas, bow wow, heroine character Nathalie Kelley all appear on the red carpet.

Text with red background at bottom

     Keiko Kitagawa born 22/8/1986 in Kobe, 19 years old. From 17 years of age she began modeling and performed as miss seventeen. From 2003 she appeared in her acting debut in the TBS drama pretty guardian sailor moon.

Actress debut film 'Mizu ni Sumu Hana', 'Mamiya brothers' and went to the same arts school as Erika Sawajiri and co (I'll check the names later) height 159 blood type 0

Row of text just to left of Keiko image

     America, lost Angeles on the 4th of June Takahashi (reporters name) American film wild speed 3 Tokyo drift (Japanese release early autumn) world premier held by universal studios. On the same film actress Keiko Kitagawa makes her Hollywood debut and was present. This is her 3rd film for the teenager who steps on the red carpet as a brilliant achievement for a Japanese beginning. From Japan with the attention from the whole world is the birth of a Cinderella.

Arrows point at Keiko to left of her

With nervousness continues on the red carpet Keiko Kitagawa (right) shows us a smile on the whole of her face. From abroad we collected data (material, pictures etc.) of the event.

Main article

From the Japanese film world I'm flooded with offers.

     A little while ago she was a regular high school girl. Now she stands on the film holy ground the red carpet, America, Europe Mexico, Portugal from the various world countries of the press. From Japan the long hair Cinderella comments we requested. "With nerves I've been crying up until this morning" those words contradict the way she faces the lenses, taking a familiar pose and with a smile that she decorates her Hollywood debut with. Famous car action series is staged in Japan for its latest creation. Her character is a high school student called Reiko. She played the high school student who acts as (lucas black) support. Last September in Japan she was practically an unknown name. Within Asia she applied for an actress role and was chosen in the audition. That same year from October for 2 months she was away from home. She was embarking for Hollywood participating in filming.

     Unfortunately I couldn't speak English so I cried every night. At any rate it was tough but from every face I fully realized my own naive ness (over optimism). From that film everything about my life changed completely". This spring in Los Angeles she went abroad to an English school. Currently she is attending English conversation classrooms. At the age of 17 she was scouted and made her modeling debut. During her high school days she prioritized her grades. "No matter what I did things were never finished, I thought it was alright to leave it like that. But from fully investigating the result I took the acting road." For just short of 3 years in the business this is a brilliant achievement. Its a dream like story. "This time my luck was good but I know Hollywood is not that generous. If you're a pretty person, no matter how much you can do it. I understood that everyone is really serious about things." In calmness surrounding looking eyes are waiting. With this time's brilliant work offers continue to come in from the Japanese film world. "More and more creators are interested, however I want to fuss over the films". on August the 22nd Keiko turns 20 and in Tokyo she plans to be at the same film when it shows at the film festival.

Barfout! Magazine (4/17/06) Interview w/ Keiko and Erika Sawajiri  [Kazuko]

     We should be happy about having someone who can share everyday events or small happiness with us. The movie "Mamiya Kyouda", based on the story written by Kaori Ekuni , is a lovable film that describes with humor and jokes about relationships between two brothers. Kuranosuke Sasaki and Takemasa Tsukaji of "Drungdragon" played the roles of the Mamiya brothers who enjoyed their everyday life even though they don’t get any attention from girls. These two over 30 aged guys living together seems ‘weird’ to girls but its human events with lots of authentic and affectionate love.

     Erica Sawajiri, is a soon to be future strong actress  who was in the movie "Pachigi!" and "1 Liter of Tears", played the sister Naomi as a heroin of mamiya brothers is cute and bright college student. However, sexy expression of her face appearing time to time makes us surprised.

Sawajiri-“Naomi is so natural and she behaves straight and she never cheat on her boy friend. But she’s eager to experience many things and wants to act like and adult. I think she is hovering among those feelings. I’ve never acted such comical roll but I really enjoyed it.”

     The actress who plays sister Yumi is Keiko Kitagawa who first was popular with magazine ’Seventeen’ as a model and this will be her first film. Her roll is a high school student with cheerful character who will be consolation of Tesunobu Mamiya.

Kitagawa- “Tecchan is type of a guy that girls think gross. The scene that I hug him was taken in the middle of summer and he was so sweat and I was like ‘hmmm’to tell you the truth lol But Yumi doesn’t judge a person on his looks and get along with a person to person. I though she was so honest and pure. The director says Yumi is just like me. I was like ‘really?’ but he said ‘Try not to act like Yumi. You only have to be just the way you are’ which was rather difficult for me to act like what he said.
Relations between two sisters are realistic and they are actually same age. This may have effected by their private life. Erika is always like my older sister. I like indoor. I always read books or listen to music at home and she tells me ‘you have to go out and look and experience many things ’lol”

Sawajiri-  "So we weren’t really conscious about acting sisters”

Kitagawa- “Yeah, but I think I might have got embarrassed if it wasn’t Erika. She made up atmosphere for me so I can do my best”

     The spice for this story is how their love go. Sawajiri plays her anxious feeling with superb expression when her boyfriend not caring much about her because of baseball that he was into. And Kitagawa acts sweet innocence naturally but sadly when her boyfriend goes abroad.

Sawajiri- “I think Naomi will go abroad with her boyfriend to support him in the end. Trying to make dreams come true is so manly and I guess girls love those kind of guy. I feel the same way and I would support him if I ever had someone who I love. Of course I may get anxious but if you really love him , you will hope that he tries his best and make the result.”

Kitagawa- “I think Yumi will also wait for him to come back. But I don’t have patient to wait him. I don’t think I can make it when he’s away from me. lol”

Sawajiri- “Mamiya brothers is just a friend and not boyfriend for girls side lol but they have deep friendship. It’s good for all of us to have relations like this.”

Kitagawa- “Yeah, they don’t reach to boyfriend…. But I’ve never met such nice guys. Any special event won’t happen and it’s serene story but this is so heartwarming film.”

     After this film, Sawajiri is going to be in ‘Tenshi no tamago ’’Otoshimono’. Kitagawa living in America as an language student is going to be in Hollywood movie called ‘wild speed3:Tokyo drift’ .

Sawajiri- “I challenged to unorthodox character in Mamiya Kyoudai and found many directions. I hope this will be helpful to next”

Kitagawa- "’Wild speed 3’ was unrealistic to me lol I have a little experience of acting so I would like to challenge all sorts of things”

Up to Boy Interview [Wasurenagusa and Nae]

Kitagawa Keiko
Grateful to meet this winter's miracle!
Intelligent, cool beauty... A beautiful girl who fits these descriptions!

From the February 2004 issue of Up to Boy in the "Now Catch" section.
By Nishikawa Atsuko
Translated by Wasurenagusa and edited by Nae ---Shingetsu


Q: When did you begin doing this [kind of] work? What prompted you to start?

Keiko: On October 4th, the first episode of Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon aired, and that same day, I had a modeling event—so that was when it all started. I never really had any interest in the entertainment business, but I did an audition by chance for my present agency. That’s what triggered the whole thing.  

Q: And [you didn’t consider entertainment] because you had a different dream?

Keiko: I wanted to be a doctor. I was always studying. As a child I was very sickly, and I was often in the hospital—but the doctors there were kind and treated me extremely well. I looked up to them. [I decided that] I also wanted to help people the way they did. But now, it seems like a dream that there was a time when I didn’t have an interest in [entertainment]. Now, this job is the most important, the job that suits me the most, in my opinion.  

Q: We’re guessing that you really like to study?

Keiko: Yes, that’s right. It was fun studying.  

Q: But now you’re so busy, you don’t have time to study, right?

Keiko: I look for time in between things and study by reading novels. Like if it’s a historical novel, I’m able to learn about Japanese history; when it’s an English novel, I’m able to study English. There are many different ways for me to study, even now. But then, I’ve always liked studying. (laughs)  

Q: By the way, shooting Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon looks difficult…

Keiko: At first, I had a hard time with the miko dress. It looks like I’m walking normally [on screen], but the dress is so heavy and hot. When we started shooting, it was still a hot season, and I would have to pray in front of the fire. I would do it even though I was dizzy… But I’m used to it now, the kimono. Now, it’s actually the opposite—in this season, being in costume is so cold. (laughs)  

Q: What is the atmosphere like on set?

Keiko: During breaks, we all rest on our own, and when it’s time to work, we do it together with great teamwork.  

Q: Since there are a lot of cast members who are around your age, we thought it would be a happier and noisier set. What a surprise!

Keiko: It’s a work place. That’s why it’s not that kind of mood. We all think of each other as coworkers.  

Q: Lastly, tell us about your goals!

Keiko: I want to try out different things. Like commercials, singing, modeling in various magazines…Right now, I don’t feel that I can really say, “These are my ultimate goals!” From here on, I want to be able to think a lot while encountering various challenges.