Ken Watanabe: Japan’s Only Tall Hollywood Actor
When Japanese men are asked, “who is the coolest celebrity?”
the only name that is given first and foremost is Ken Watanabe. As he is a
genuine Hollywood star, we conducted a Q&A with this opinion leader about
“cool men.”
Q: What is the number one rule for cool men?
A: Start each day by deciding for yourself.
Are there any men you admire?
Aren’t us actors similar to chameleons? So, even if there
are wonderful older actors, I think that I absolutely won’t become them. Even
for myself, I am different. I can’t live without being different for myself. I
think that I’m already not used to that, and the times are different, so.
What about, say, Yujiro Ishihara and Ken Takakura, are there
any cool actors from the past that anyone can recognize?
That’s a good question. I can remember the director Kei
Kumai from the past, but since movies have been in color there haven’t been any
stars. It’s just one thing, but it’s because the “mysterious part” has
disappeared. Even with the media’s treatment, it’s like that.
For example, it’s a story but, speaking of the thing, I
think that things with basic functions are beautiful. Efficient things without
decoration. Things that are extremely simple but functional are very beautiful,
and I feel like I want to use them, but
first and foremost I’m interested in them. If seen from this way, I believe that men should be like
this.
What do you mean by “things”?
It can be things like cars or stationary, or various kinds
of machines. For example, things like a coffee maker, if it is extremely simple
and functional, then it is good. It doesn't need anything like strange timers.
And, as much as possible not cool down, not make it boil, things like that. I’m
just a human being so I want to be like that.
Now, you have a wristwatch with two simple hands.
Yep. I don’t have any decorative things. In any case I can
still tell the time. With simplicity— this is my small insistence, the one
feeling that I like.
So, what does Mr. Watanabe think is the number one rule for cool men?
My son is now 16 years old, but in speaking to him, it is
that he wakes up by himself. In other words, it’s that he opens the curtains of
his day by himself. This is determination. Having volition is something I want
for him as soon as possible, I believe. When I was 16, I think I lived without
truly thinking, but, there were things I wanted to do. At that time I played
the horn, and all I wanted was to play it properly. Wasn’t that a thing I
wanted to do? By this I mean, I want my son to have volition. Of course, aren’t
people who move with determination cool?
Are there any other rules you’ve decided for yourself beyond beginning each
day by yourself?
Something I learned from a senior member of my first theater
troupe is something that is still with me even now. This member said,
“Absolutely, arrive at the spot 15 minutes early.” He said this becomes an
advantage. It’s because you can calm your spirit. You can get the place’s
atmosphere, the style of the building, understand things like that, if you have
15 minutes to properly take it all in yourself, so of course I must arrive 15
minutes early.
Even today too, you arrived one hour early…
Ha.
It’s become my style. Waiting with complete calmness. If you can only enter at
the last minute, the performance decreases.
http://gqjapan.jp/2012/04/23/ken-watanabe/
