Yumi Wakatsuki of Nogizaka46 designed the original T-shirt for the "Street Performance World Cup in Shizuoka 2018," which will take place in her hometown of Shizuoka from November 1st to 4th, and her design is enjoying a good reputation. The event gathers more attention than any other performing arts festival in Asia, this year expecting 1.5 million visitors.
Wakatsuki just announced her graduation from Nogizaka46 on October 1st.
She writes "I would like to build on what I experienced in Nogizaka46 to realize my next dream." What does she have in store for us?
The group just gave its first live performance in China at a live event organized by the Japan-China Youth Friendship Exchange Program in the world heritage site of Daming Palace National Heritage Park in Xi'an. We visited Wakatsuki after she came back from China, and asked her about her views on her hometown of Shizuoka, her design, and her painting.
– This time the offer came from your hometown of Shizuoka, and we heard that some of your fans are now interested in the Street Performance World Cup that the city is hosting. How would you describe the charms of Shizuoka to people outside the prefecture or outside Japan?
"Well, I think Mt. Fuji is almost like Japan's icon among people overseas, and of course, we can see Mt. Fuji from Shizuoka. But I'd rather say that I like this city because it has more little gems and little nice things. Yui's sakura shrimp or young sardine are good examples. I want people to try sakura shrimp tempuras or freshly-boiled young sardine in an old and local restaurant, and see that Shizuoka has these little gems as well.
– Are you inspired by the scenery and the environment of your hometown when you paint?
– Are you influenced by other countries, or is there a country where you want to learn design or art in the future?
What are her plans for the future after leaving Nogizaka46?
"The Street Performance World Cup" is an annual event that started in 1992, and is participated by over 90 groups of artists both from Japan and overseas. This year, the central area of Aoi-ward, Shizuoka-city will host the event from November 1st to 4th, and the city is expecting outstanding performance by artists from around the world.
Wakatsuki's T-shirt is available on the official website of the event until October 6th for pre-sales, and during the event, it will be available in the "Asahi TV Area" inside Sumpu Castle Park, etc.
People from overseas are welcome to check out this annual event and find Shizuoka's charms.