{"id":2385,"date":"2016-11-01T12:00:28","date_gmt":"2016-11-01T12:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/?p=2385"},"modified":"2016-11-08T11:55:42","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T11:55:42","slug":"riri-yoshida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/riri-yoshida\/","title":{"rendered":"Riri Yoshida"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/r1Pf8WxOy1s?rel=0&amp;controls=0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hello Riri!\u00a0 Its great to talk to you!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Thank you!\u00a0 Its so nice to talk to you.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2393\" style=\"padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14937094_10205612040659567_240024605_n.jpg\" alt=\"14937094_10205612040659567_240024605_n\" width=\"276\" height=\"184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14937094_10205612040659567_240024605_n.jpg 720w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14937094_10205612040659567_240024605_n-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 276px) 100vw, 276px\" \/>1. \u00a0 How did things go with the <a href=\"http:\/\/missgrandjapan.com\" target=\"_blank\">Miss Grand Japan<\/a> competition?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It was a great experience and it gave me the opportunity to give voice to the issue of multi-racial relations in Japan.\u00a0 I felt my presence at the competition was a chance to give an image to the issue.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. \u00a0Have you been involved with the beauty pageants before?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes I have.\u00a0 I entered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/missasiausa\/\" target=\"_blank\">Miss Asia USA<\/a> here in LA where I finished in the top five.\u00a0 And also <a href=\"http:\/\/queenuniversepageant.com\/home.html\" target=\"_blank\">Queen of the Universe <\/a>which is an international competition where I finished in the top ten.\u00a0 In those two I entered as Miss Japan.\u00a0 Then I came back to Japan where I entered <a href=\"http:\/\/www.misssupranational.com\" target=\"_blank\">Miss Supranational<\/a> which is one of the Big 5 competitions.\u00a0 I finished in the top ten and also received an award for Best Regional Costume.\u00a0 After those was Miss Grand Japan and I was Second Runner-Up and I also was awarded Miss Friendship.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. \u00a0You designed the costumes, right?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, for Miss Supranational I designed the kimono costume. \u00a0I also designed an evening gown for Queen of the Universe and then for Miss Grand Japan I designed a\u00a0kimono evening gown\u00a0which I wore at the event.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. \u00a0The evening gown you wore was inspired by kimono designs, correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes.\u00a0 My mother is a kimono stylist so she is the one who inspired me to make that dress.\u00a0 I wanted to represent her during the competition because she is the one who introduced me to the beauty of the Japanese kimono.<strong> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2392 alignright\" style=\"padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14907876_10205612040819571_24082705_o-300x197.jpg\" alt=\"14907876_10205612040819571_24082705_o\" width=\"380\" height=\"253\" \/>5. \u00a0And this was the costume Ayaka Sato wore for the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.missgrandinternational.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">international competition held recently in Las Vegas<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, she wore the costume I designed for the national competition.<\/p>\n<p>The costume looked great and did a great job of representing the Japanese culture.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. \u00a0Can you tell us a little bit about where you are from and where you went to school?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m from a very small town in Chiba called Katsuura.\u00a0 And I moved to Tokyo when I was 15 because I wanted to go to high school in Tokyo because I thought it would be a better future for me.\u00a0 I moved by myself, when I was fifteen.\u00a0 And I studied in Tokyo.\u00a0 For university I studied abroad.\u00a0 First, I went to a language school, then I transferred to a community college and then after that I transferred to a four year university.\u00a0 At first my major was performing arts, and I always wanted to study fashion design as well because of my mother.\u00a0 So I changed my major to family and consumer science which involves apparel\u00a0design.\u00a0 So that is where I studied my fashion design skill.\u00a0 And besides school I always studied dance and did modeling and studied acting as well.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2390 size-medium\" style=\"padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14875099_10205612040739569_211556862_n-300x209.jpg\" alt=\"14875099_10205612040739569_211556862_n\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14875099_10205612040739569_211556862_n-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14875099_10205612040739569_211556862_n-768x536.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14875099_10205612040739569_211556862_n.jpg 805w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>7. \u00a0When did you get involved in the pageants?\u00a0 Did it grow out of your interest in fashion and performing arts or was it something separate, like an independent interest?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, it was definitely something related because I had always liked performing on stage. \u00a0I saw my friend who entered the competition when I was in high school and when I was in college, so I thought \u201cmaybe I could do that myself\u201d.\u00a0 Because when I was in Tokyo and in high school I belonged to a modeling agency.\u00a0 I wanted to break the idea that a person has to be tall and slim to be a model.\u00a0 Because I am not that tall you know.\u00a0 From a beauty pageant perspective I am quite short.\u00a0 So I was always questioning why someone needs to be tall and slim like a supermodel.\u00a0 My mother is very short but I think she is very beautiful.\u00a0 So entering the competitions was a way for me to represent myself and get the message across.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2389 alignleft\" style=\"padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/14858668_10205612040939574_1887423818_o-300x231.jpg\" alt=\"14858668_10205612040939574_1887423818_o\" width=\"240\" height=\"187\" \/>8. \u00a0Which region did you represent during the competition?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I represented Chiba.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9. \u00a0So you won Second Runner-Up, correct?\u00a0 Can you explain the award for us?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Second Runner-Up is the top three, so the winner is Ayaka Sato, and she became Miss Grand Japan.\u00a0 The second place was Erea Taira so she was the First Runner-Up and then I was one of the top three.<\/p>\n<p>Miss Friendship is like Miss Congeniality.\u00a0 This is for the most friendly person in the pageant and the award is voted by all of the girls.\u00a0 I\u2019m also a dancer and I was helping them clean up the choreography and I think that is what helped me win the award.\u00a0 After the dance sequence I was so satisfied.\u00a0 They were like my babies!<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2404 alignright\" style=\"padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14958408_10205639301301066_955396147_n-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"14958408_10205639301301066_955396147_n\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14958408_10205639301301066_955396147_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14958408_10205639301301066_955396147_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14958408_10205639301301066_955396147_n.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/>10. \u00a0Is the dance performance something you have done before?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, I have been involved with dance since I was in junior high school.\u00a0 Of course I have danced stage performances and I was in a dance crew so we performed together.\u00a0 So it was something I felt very comfortable to be a part of.<\/p>\n<p><strong>11. \u00a0What style of dance do you prefer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I really like old school.\u00a0 I like locking\u00a0and popping.\u00a0 I also like hip hop as well.<\/p>\n<p><strong>12. \u00a0Are there\u00a0particular\u00a0performers or musicians you like to dance to?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I like James Brown or Michael Jackson.<\/p>\n<p><strong>13. \u00a0Do you have a goal with your dancing and participation in the pageants?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dancing is my passion, I do it more for fun.\u00a0 And I really want to be the one to open doors for a new generation.\u00a0 Asian women are under-represented in the performing arts so I can be the door-opener so that more women like myself in Japan or anywhere else in the world can be involved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>14. \u00a0Do you feel you have any roll models or mentors who you can look up to for inspiration?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0880855\/\" target=\"_blank\">Miyoshi Umeki<\/a>, she is the only <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ftg8Aqjk744\" target=\"_blank\">Asian actress to have won an Oscar<\/a>. \u00a0She won &#8220;Best Actress in a Supporting Role&#8221; for the film Sayonara. \u00a0She was in the film with all those Asian men and they were in love but they couldn\u2019t get married.\u00a0 The society didn\u2019t allow them to be together.\u00a0 It was right after WWII.\u00a0 So I thought it was pretty impressive for her to win that award.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2405 size-medium\" style=\"padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14963612_10205639346502196_1306765286_o-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"14963612_10205639346502196_1306765286_o\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14963612_10205639346502196_1306765286_o-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14963612_10205639346502196_1306765286_o-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14963612_10205639346502196_1306765286_o-1024x818.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14963612_10205639346502196_1306765286_o.jpg 1334w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>15. \u00a0So you want to go into screen acting?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, I am pursuing my dream.<\/p>\n<p>I moved to LA two weeks ago but was living here for about six years until I moved back to Tokyo.<\/p>\n<p><strong>16. \u00a0Were you involved with screen acting when you were in Tokyo?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I trained at the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.upsnews.co.jp\" target=\"_blank\">Ups Academy<\/a> where <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yoko_Narahashi\" target=\"_blank\">Yoko Narahashi<\/a> teaches.\u00a0 She is a famous casting director in Tokyo.\u00a0 I was studying there and then performing theater.\u00a0 I performed at Ups Academy and also at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pocketsquare.jp\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Nakano Pocket<\/a>,\u00a0a small theater in western Tokyo. \u00a0I have also appeared in commercials and music videos.<\/p>\n<p><strong>17. \u00a0Now you\u2019re back in LA.\u00a0 What\u2019s your plan going forward?\u00a0 Are you taking more classes?\u00a0 Are you in touch with a casting director?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes I am definitely taking more classes because I want to be known for my talent.\u00a0 So of course I am training all the time &#8211; constantly.\u00a0 And I just got signed to a new agency here in LA so I think it is a great start!<\/p>\n<p><strong>18. \u00a0Do you know what types of work you will be getting involved with?\u00a0 Will you be involved with short films, feature length films, stage performances, etc?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I would definitely like to be involved with feature length films.\u00a0 I want to do some roles that do not necessarily involve being an Asian woman.\u00a0 If we keep enforcing the stereotypes nothing is going to change.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lWzdORxIbNk?rel=0&amp;controls=0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>19. \u00a0Apart from your career goals or your professional pursuits, maybe you can tell us a little about your personal life.\u00a0 Do you have any interests that keep you occupied when you are not involved with your acting classes or performances?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I love to design things so I just go shopping and I just look for fabric.\u00a0 I go out and look for used kimonos and I look for materials and then I go back and plan on a design.<\/p>\n<p><strong>20. \u00a0So you like to alter used kimonos and turn them into your own design?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2403 \" style=\"padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14938065_10205639300501046_184244266_n-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"14938065_10205639300501046_184244266_n\" width=\"401\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14938065_10205639300501046_184244266_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14938065_10205639300501046_184244266_n-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/14938065_10205639300501046_184244266_n.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px\" \/>21. \u00a0What kind of fabrics do you use?\u00a0 Traditional Japanese silks, or do you use other creative materials? \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I usually mix and match fabrics.\u00a0 For instance I will start with a used kimono and then use fabric imported from Italy.\u00a0 So I am always mixing and matching.\u00a0 I always find it more interesting rather than one solid orthodox idea.\u00a0 And I just create something new.<\/p>\n<p><strong>22. \u00a0I recently saw a program on NHK about the kimono culture and how it is dying away.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, of course because my mother is a kimono designer so we have had discussions about it as well.\u00a0 About how our culture is kind of disappearing.\u00a0 But I think what I am doing right now can be a solution because I can make a kimono dress which is easier to wear.\u00a0 They don\u2019t need a kimono stylist.\u00a0 They can enjoy it as a going-out dress.\u00a0 Like for going out to dinner and they will think, \u201cHey, I am wearing this wonderful dress!\u201d \u00a0So they can get a taste of the culture.\u00a0 But mainly they are going to be more interested in Japanese culture and they will read about it.\u00a0 We can put these designs out there and open more doors for people who might be interested in Japanese culture.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2402 size-large\" style=\"padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/RIRI-KIMONO-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"riri-kimono\" width=\"620\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/RIRI-KIMONO-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/RIRI-KIMONO-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/RIRI-KIMONO-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/RIRI-KIMONO.jpg 1334w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/>23. \u00a0Have you researched the kimono culture or visited places like Kyoto where the kimono is such an important part of their history and culture? \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When I was in Tokyo I studied Japanese traditional dance so I was wearing kimono all the time when I would practice.\u00a0 So it helped me to understand.\u00a0 And my great great grandfather I think, was the kimono maker &#8211; on my mother\u2019s side.\u00a0 And of course my mother would put the kimono on me all the time &#8211; since I was little.<\/p>\n<p><strong>24. \u00a0Does that also involve having contact with silk producers?\u00a0 Does your family have ties with the silk industry in Japan?\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My mother\u2019s family is from the island where\u00a0the kimonos are a little different than those from Kyoto.\u00a0 Each region has a different type of kimono.\u00a0 That type of kimono is from\u00a0Hachijo, they have a special kimono called Kihachijo. \u00a0My family friend has the factory for making Kihachijo.\u00a0 The factory is on an island south of Tokyo.<\/p>\n<p><strong>25. \u00a0Are you going to continue to participate in the pageants or will you move more into acting?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I think I am going to move more into acting.<\/p>\n<p><strong>26. \u00a0Are you familiar with the Ninjagirl website?\u00a0 Had you viewed it before the interview?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes, I had.\u00a0 I know Daniel Smith.\u00a0 He is a producer with Fox.<\/p>\n<p><strong>27. \u00a0Do you have anything you would like to say to the readers at Ninjagirl?\u00a0 Any shoutouts to the fans?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Maybe just for the girls out there who are thinking about entering the pageant competitions who are wondering if they are beautiful enough to enter the pageants.\u00a0 I believe beauty is compassion, kindness and love.\u00a0 And it isn\u2019t just our size or shape.\u00a0 So I really want them to have the courage to enter and just enjoy the experience rather than just comparing themselves with somebody else.\u00a0 Because you are the only person who can be you.\u00a0 Your uniqueness is beautiful and don\u2019t let other person tell you otherwise.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2408\" style=\"padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Kimono-Kyoto.jpg\" alt=\"kimono-kyoto\" width=\"1000\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Kimono-Kyoto.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Kimono-Kyoto-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Kimono-Kyoto-768x492.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Kimono-Kyoto-1024x656.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>edited by <a href=\"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/anthony\/\" target=\"_blank\">Anthony Heller<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hello Riri!\u00a0 Its great to talk to you! Thank you!\u00a0 Its so nice to talk to you. 1. \u00a0 How did things go with the Miss Grand Japan competition? It was a great experience and it gave me the opportunity to give voice to the issue of multi-racial relations in Japan.\u00a0 I felt my presence [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2397,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[59,60,67,61],"tags":[19],"class_list":["post-2385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beauty","category-fashion","category-martial-arts","category-style","tag-featured"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"ja","enabled_languages":["en","ja"],"languages":{"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ja":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2385"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2640,"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385\/revisions\/2640"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ninjagirl.net\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}