Yuzo Kayama “83-year-old young general” revival secret story April 5, 15:58
Yuzo Kayama, a singer and actor representing the Showa era, is an "eternal young general."
Last year, which marked the 60th anniversary of my entertainment life, I faced some hardships.
After falling down due to a cerebral hemorrhage in August, I couldn't speak well because of the aftereffects.
You may not be able to sing your favorite song.
It was the biggest crisis in my 83 years of life.
Still, after about half a year of rehabilitation, the young general has revived this month.
In addition, a project has begun in which one's own synthetic voice created with the latest AI technology is sent to the town of Chigasaki, the hometown.
What is the driving force behind looking ahead and continuing to move forward no matter how old you are?
A reporter born in Heisei, who is as old as his grandson, asked.
(Yokohama Broadcasting Station reporter Tomoaki Yamada)
A series of misfortunes for young generals
Yuzo Kayama, 83 years old.
After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Keio University, he entered the world of cinema and became a star.
As a singer, he made a series of big hits, and if he designed a yacht, he would be good at painting.
He is an "eternal young general" who has continued to show a "cool" appearance over time, such as appearing at the Fuji Rock Festival after the age of 80.
However, three years ago, after a cruiser designed by himself, "Koshinmaru", which even made a song with the title of the ship, burned in a fire of unknown cause, he suffered a series of misfortunes such as cerebral infarction. It was.
Then, in August of last year, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage due to aspiration caused by aspiration.
Looking back on the impact at that time.
Yuzo Kayama
"The moment I fell down, I vomit repeatedly, uh. When I took an MRI, it clearly bleeded in the brain and caused bleeding. Wow, I thought it was a big deal."
Impact of sequelae
Fortunately, he had less bleeding in his brain, but he suffered from the aftereffects of being unable to speak well.
At first, he was forced to suspend his entertainment activities without having a conversation.
You may not be able to sing your favorite song.
With great anxiety, Mr. Kayama decided to work on a painful rehabilitation.
The driving force is gratitude and responsibility
It is said that the young general who fell to the bottom, at that time, was supported by the "gratitude" to the people who had been involved and the "responsibility" to be sure to return.
Yuzo Kayama
"I'm fighting (with sequelae) while asking myself whether it's okay for me to have a good feeling and die without permission. Rather than feeling unpleasant for myself. When I think about the feeling of gratitude for having lived with the support of many people, the feeling of having to give back is getting bigger and bigger. There's no way. I've never felt more responsible than that. "
What is the impact on the song ...?
In the rehabilitation that lasted for half a year, I worked on language training to practice difficult words over and over again and exercise to regain physical strength.
On the other hand, what happened to the most worried young general's singing voice?
Yuzo Kayama
"When I sang at karaoke, I could sing without any hesitation. I think I really like music, I thought I'd make it."
Yes, Mr. Kayama talked with a shy smile.
When I heard this mysterious story, I was strangely convinced, "Oh, a natural star is such a person."
Then, the young general, who has recovered to the point where there is almost no problem in daily life, finally begins to "give back" to the surroundings.
The method was suitable for a star, and it was a sensational one.
Liven up the shopping street with your own voice
The name is "Yuzo-dori" in the center of Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Mr. Kayama's deep "voice" echoed in this shopping district following the sea of Chigasaki.
Synthetic voice of Yuzo Kayama
"Everyone who uses Yuzo-dori Shopping Street, let's eat delicious meat and vegetables and have a healthy and enjoyable life."
Is the star in the world calling for a supermarket?
This was Mr. Kayama's mischievous gratitude.
Chigasaki is the hometown of Mr. Kayama, who spent 2 to 32 years old.
Mr. Kayama wanted to do something in the local area, which was less crowded with the corona vortex, and launched a project involving the local business and industry association and the city hall.
The name is "Project with love in Chigasaki".
Based on the voice data recorded in the past, AI is made to learn Mr. Kayama's speaking style and voice to create synthetic voice, and this synthetic voice is used for city halls, supermarkets, hot spring facilities, hospitals, baseball stadiums, etc. , I'm going to make Kayama-san's voice the in-house broadcasts and announcements in various places.
Kayama-san is like this !?
With the "voice" of synthetic voice, any sentence can be read with Mr. Kayama's voice.
At a hot spring facility where everyone gathers.
Synthetic voice of Yuzo Kayama
"This hot spring is the first natural hot spring in Chigasaki that springs from 1500 meters underground."
Until such a broadcast that makes you laugh.
Yuzo Kayama's synthetic voice
"The staff will enter the sauna room to replace the sauna mat. We will replace the mat in half, so please cooperate if you are using it."
What about the young general?
It is also a big hit with the locals.
Project participant
"I feel close to you, I think you are somewhere in this space!"
Project participant
"Mr. Kayama's voice is very good, so I feel calm."
Facility manager
"I think the hot springs are more effective!"
Mr. Kayama responded to the local reaction ...?
Mr. Kayama, who saw this situation in the video, also has this look.
Yuzo Kayama
"I'm so grateful that you're happy to hear my voice. I really want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and everyone says" Oh, I like it. " I'm most glad that you feel warm. I'm glad I was born and raised in Chigasaki. "
He happily talked about how his "voice" made from synthetic voice will remain.
Yuzo Kayama
"I really like doing things that people haven't done first. What can I say (synthetic voice)? Because it's in front of you. How long will it last? I don't know, but I'd like you to let it flow when something is commemorated. "
The source of the eternal young general's heart
"Eternal young general" who continues to challenge without stopping even if he gets older and suffers many hardships.
On the 11th of this month, which marks his 84th birthday, he released a new song "Red Rose Flower" and will continue to challenge various things in the future.
Yuzo Kayama
"I was told that I fell asleep, fell asleep, and I shouldn't do it anymore. I've overcome all of these things and have recovered to about 80% now. There is a word that continuation is power, isn't it? After all, I want to do it. Specifically, I have a feeling that I want to do my best for another 9 years. "
Nine years is concrete again.
From Showa to Heisei to Reiwa, Mr. Kayama continues to play an active role over time.
Finally, I asked what was the driving force.
Yuzo Kayama
"I would be very lonely if I wasn't asked for it, I would be lonely if I was ridiculed, and if I was kicked off ... but I wouldn't stand up even if I was kicked off, I (laughs). I think that feeling is also very important. I'm motivated. I think it's really important whether or not I'm motivated. "(Sic)
It was a moment when I peeked into the heart of a proud young general who supported the existence of the people around him but never leaned against it.
The life of an 83-year-old young general who was impressed by a 28-year-old reporter
Year difference, almost 3 times.
Although I was very rude, I was born in Heisei and had never listened to the song before I started the interview, but when I finished the interview, I was fascinated by Mr. Kayama's songs, words, and way of life.
A heart that can withstand hardships, a spirit of enjoying everything and taking on challenges, and a personality that does not decorate.
"I want to be 83 years old like this," I realized that.
That way of life may pierce not only Kayama's old-fashioned fans but also the hearts of the younger generation.
Yokohama Broadcasting Station
Odawara Branch Reporter
Tomoaki Yamada
Joined in
2015 After working at Nagano Broadcasting Station, currently belongs
(Addition) On the
2nd, the death of actor Kunie Tanaka, who co-starred with Mr. Kayama in the movie "Wakadaishō Series", was reported, and Mr. Kayama announced his comments on his website.
Yuzo Kayama's comment
"I'm shocked. I've always wanted to get in touch with Kuni-san, and mysteriously, I just saw Kuni-san on the DVD of General Waka. I can't believe it. I can't say anything now. I'm lonely. I'm really lonely. Thank you very much, Mr. Kuni. "
Chiemi Hori What I saw in the announcement of tongue cancer