Here is the text of Episode IX of the interview (photographs may be seen at the website):
ジョニー Johnny
あの、糸井さんにとって、
こういう家族みたいなチームがあって
夢をいっしょに実現させていくっていうのは
どんな感じなんでしょうか？
How is it like for you to have this team like your family that makes your dreams happen?
糸井 Itoi
あなたと同じで、
ぼくが何かを代表するなんてことは
とてもできないと思ってるんです。
だけど、チームでプレーするってことが
どんどんおもしろくなってきたんです。
I completely agree with you that I can't represent anything or anybody, but at the same time, I'm getting more and more interested in working as a team.
ジョニー Johnny
ああ、なるほど。
Ah, interesting.
糸井 Itoi
サッカーでいうと、
パスを出せるっていう喜びがあるんです。
ゴールすることだとか、
一人で表現することも喜びなんだけど、
誰かにパスしたボールがシュートされて
ゴールするっていうのも、
パスを出した人間にとってうれしいんです。
If you take soccer as an example, there's joy in being able to send out a pass to your teammates. Of course, there is joy in making a beautiful kick on your own or scoring a goal. Still, it's equally wonderful to have your teammate pick up the pass you sent them, and to have them eventually reach the goal.
ジョニー Johnny
それを分かち合うんですね
And you share that together.
糸井 Itoi
そうです。
それがわかるようになったのは、
自分が年をとったから、
っていうこともあるかもしれない。
Yes. Maybe I've come to understand this because I'm older now.
ジョニー Johnny
別に失礼なつもりじゃないんですけど、
そうかもしれないですね。
自分はまだ他の人を
どう信頼するかっていうことが、
まだよくわかってないです。
I don't mean to be disrespectful, but that may be so. I feel that I'm still in the process of learning how to trust other people.
糸井 Itoi
だから、ぼくがパスを出すよ、
どこだっけ、ペンシルバニアにさ。
Well, then I'll send out a pass to your home town in Pennsylvania.
ジョニー Johnny
ありがとう。
でも、いまはニュージャージーに住んでるから
できればそっちにお願いしたいんですけど。
Great. New Jersey would be better, because I live there now.
糸井 Itoi
あ、そうか（笑）。
OK. New Jersey, then. (Laughs)
一同 All
（笑）
(Laughter)
ジョニー Johnny
ペンシルバニアにはたくさんの
アーミッシュが住んでるんだけど、
彼らはサッカーなんてしないと思うから。
アーミッシュは知ってますか？
There are many Amish people living around where I come from in Pennsylvania. I'm not sure if they play soccer, so New Jersey would be better. Do you know the Amish?
糸井 Itoi
アーミッシュが住んでる？
ああ、あの場所ですか。
ドキュメンタリーで知ってるけど、
あそこは、ちょっと、すごいところだね。
Is that where you come from? Where the Amish people live? I've seen them in a documentary. Wow! It's a pretty distinctive place, isn't it?
ジョニー Johnny
いま、客観的に振り返ると、
ぼくみたいなのがあそこから
出てきたっていうことが
すごく奇妙だと思う。
Yes, very. When I think back, it's very strange for someone like me to come from a place like that.
糸井 Itoi
よく、あなたがあそこにいたね（笑）。
It's unbelievable. (Laughs)
ジョニー Johnny
ほんとに！
Really!
糸井 Itoi
化石みたいな場所だよね。
The place is as if time has stopped.
ジョニー Johnny
そうですね。
ぼくは大きい街が大好きで、
ニューヨーク、東京、モスクワ、ソウル、
もうすごい自由な感じがして
好きなんですけれども、
やっぱり田舎に帰ると、
もうそこを離れたくないなって思うんです。
やっぱりそこに自分の根っこが
あるからじゃないかなと思うんです
Yes. I always love being in big cities. I love New York, Tokyo, Moscow, Seoul... I feel there is a lot more freedom than where I am from. Yet, every single time I go home to Pennsylvania, I never want to leave. I feel it's where I am. It's my place.
糸井 Itoi
なにかと、まったく違うふたつのものを、
いつでも同時に抱えているっていうのが、
あなたの生き方の特徴ですね。
You are always embracing two opposing factors in your life. It's characteristic of you.
ジョニー Johnny
誰しも二面性がありますよね、
白と黒、善なる面と悪しき面、
都会的なところと田舎的なところ‥‥。
両方を受け入れることができる人が、
前へ進んで行けるんじゃないかな
Everyone is black and white. Everyone is good and evil. City and town, it's the same idea. It's people who can accept both that can move forward.
糸井 Itoi
それは、いまぼくらの目の前にいる。
Exactly, and we're seeing that person right in front of us now.
ジョニー Johnny
賢いような気分にさせてくださって、
ありがとうございます。
You make me feel very wise. Thank you.
糸井 Itoi
こうしてお会いできて、
ほんとうにうれしかったです。
Again, it was very nice meeting you. I'm so happy that you came here.
ジョニー Johnny
こちらこそ！毎日来たいくらい（笑）。
The pleasure is mine! I would love to come every day. (Laughs)
一同 All
（笑）
(Laughter)
糸井 Itoi
じゃ、うちの社員になる？
Would you like to work with us, then?
ジョニー Johnny
いいですよ！ニュージャージー支店だ。
Sure! I will be the New Jersey branch of Hobonichi.
一同 All
（笑）
(Laughter)
糸井 Itoi
じゃあぼくも、
あなたの東京支部を引き受けるよ。
Then, I will be your Tokyo branch.
ジョニー Johnny
すばらしい（笑）。
Good. Good. Good.(Laughs)
糸井 Itoi
（まわりの乗組員に向かって）
なにか、ジョニーさんに質問があれば。
こんな機会、二度とないから。
(To the staff) Are there any questions?
There probably won't be another opportunity like this.
ジョニー Johnny
いや、二度三度とありますよ。
Yes, there will.
一同 All
（笑）
(Laughter)
To Be Continued......
This interview was conducted with the invaluable assistance of interpreter Makiko Shinoda.
Announcement Tweet in Japanese
Prologue: Episode One
You Weren’t Competing Against Anyone: Episode Two
I Understand That I’m Not Perfect: Episode Three
Cry With A Smile: Episode Four
Maybe I Was Russian In Another Life Time: Episode Five
Japan Is the Beat of the World: Episode Six
Mmm… Desserts!: Episode Seven
I Represent Johnny Weir: Episode Eight
2 comments:
Thank for posting! This installment got me a little teary-eyed as Johnny talked about feeling completely at home back in PA.
I too am from a small Amish town in PA, and always dreamed of moving to exciting NYC! Now that I'm there, I love it; BUT, when I travel back to my little New Providence for visits, I realize that I am happier there than I am anywhere else. I do appreciate his observations about carrying that dual nature with you and having to reconcile it everyday in order to move on.
This whole interview has been a delight to read, each installment prompted thought and sparked renewed interest in Johnny Weir as artist & human being. I wouldn't mind reading interviews with Itoi Shigesato either,,,I find him very interesting and thoughtful.
Debora,
I agree about Itoi Shigesato, I also find him very interesting and thoughtful. And it's clear from the website and his bio that he has a fairly wide range of interests; and from his interest in Johnny it's clear he has no hang-ups or pre-conceived notions. The interview has been thoughtful and interesting.
I was born in the Los Angeles area, and I live in 400,000 plus residents suburb of Phoenix. I've never lived in a small town, but my mother has. Despite Johnny's love of NYC and all, he still has said he wants to build a home back in his old hometown area. He's said that recently.
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