Born after 9 months of intense training
Japanese-style tap dance that has caught the world's attention

── The screening is about to start, what keeps you busy these days?

Saiga

I'm appearing on radio and TV for promotion, and I'm being interviewed for magazines. I also have a lot of work in Kanazawa, so I'm going back and forth between Kanazawa and Tokyo. In between, I'm writing the script for my next work and creating proposals.

── You're still busy even though the movie is finished. Well then, could you please tell us the highlights of "Lady Kaga"?

Saiga

There are many (laughs), but if I have to narrow it down, there are four. One is the Japanese-style tap dancing in the final scene, which is also introduced in the trailer. The rookie female managers perform a splendid tap dance in kimono. I've always wanted to shoot a dance that mixes Japanese and Western styles, and I finally realized it with this film.

── I heard that it received a standing ovation at the Silk Road International Film Festival.

Saiga

They said the idea of tap dancing in kimono was interesting. I was very happy.

── Why did you choose tap dancing?

Saiga

From a global perspective, it may have a retro feel, but tap dancing is still the epitome of entertainment among dances worldwide. By adding retro kimono, I thought it could become something new. The lead actress, Fuuka Ko Shiba, did not have previous experience in tap dancing, so I asked her for 9 months of special training.

── Is it possible to master it in such a short period?

Saiga

Before entering the entertainment industry, she was a figure skater. She had achieved quite a high rank in the junior rankings. So, her core strength was solid, and she quickly picked up dancing. A veteran actress took half a year to master a dance, but Koshiba-san surprised the instructors by mastering it in just one week.

── I didn't know about Koshiba-san's background at all.

Saiga

Also, I hope you'll take a close look at Koshiba-san's kimono. A kimono shop in Kaga lent us incredibly expensive Kaga Yuzen kimonos. If you're a kimono enthusiast, you might enjoy the differences between Kaga Yuzen and Kyoto Yuzen.

── There seem to be various aspects to enjoy the dance scenes.

The world of chief female managers and the love between mother and daughter

── What's the second highlight?

Saiga

It's the world of chief female managers of Japanese inns. They are like female CEOs but also a little different. When I was producing the TV show "Kanazawa's Columbo," I had many opportunities to get to know the perspectives of chief female managers, and I've always wanted to depict the world of them someday. In fact, I've planned a TV show called "Words from chief managers" and interviewed various female managers and read books. That really came in handy this time, and I think I was able to portray it quite realistically.

The main story is about tap dancing and the world of chief female managers, but it's also a story of "mother and child" where the protagonist, Yuka, grows into a  full-fledged chief  manager with training from her strict mother. That's the third one. It's a story of the strictness born out of love. I think you can also enjoy the story of parental love.

── It's packed with content. What's the fourth highlight?

Saiga

Because of the COVID19, there were many constraints against meeting the people, and doing things. We wanted to depict the joy of gathering together and working together on something passionately after a long time.

Encounter with a single poster led to the production of "Lady Kaga"

── Can you tell us what led to the creation of "Lady Kaga"?

Saiga

In 2012, the year after the Great East Japan Earthquake, I shot a movie called "Little Maestra" in Shiga Town and Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, and I saw an impressive poster during the shoot. It was produced by the "Lady Kaga" project team, with the central members being the association of hotspring inns in Kaga Onsen. It was launched in 2011 with the aim of overcoming the stagnation caused by the earthquake and promoting Kaga Onsen for the opening of the new Shinkansen in Kanazawa.

── Indeed, it was an impressive poster. There were quite a few TV commercials in the prefecture as well.

Saiga

The poster and the videos simply showed chief female managers of inns lined up in front of the station, but to me, it looked like they were dancing. At that moment, I thought it would be interesting to make a movie where female managers dance in kimono. A few years ago, I happened to have a connection with the city of Kaga and talked about the possibility of making a movie called "Lady Kaga," and we decided to do it together.

── So, it's a project that came to fruition after more than 10 years of planning. How many times did you come to Ishikawa Prefecture for production?

Saiga

I went around Ishikawa Prefecture by car for about 4 days to decide on the shooting locations, talk with local people such as chambers of commerce and industry about what kind of movie we wanted to make, and had meetings with the officers from the city hall... It usually takes about 3 years to make a movie, but I think I visited about 30 times during that time.

── I think you'll find new discoveries every time you come. What aspects of Kaga Onsen did you find attractive?

Saiga

Kaga Onsen has three areas: Yamashiro Onsen, Yamanaka Onsen, and Katayamazu Onsen, each with its own unique charm. Yamashiro Onsen is the "classic hot spring town." It has a traditional feel to it. Yamanaka Onsen has several artistic bridges. I was particularly fascinated by the "Ayatori Bridge" designed by the head of the Sogetsu Ikebana School, Hiroshi Tesghigawara. Katayamazu Onsen is a hot spring town by a lake overlooking the sacred Mount Hakusan. Each hot spring is equally splendid. We filmed at all the hot springs in the movie as well.

── Did you actually bathe in the hot springs a lot?

Saiga

Usually I don't have time to bathe once filming started, but this time, I bathed three times a day, in the morning, after location shooting, and before going to bed. It was the first time in my movie making career. Also, during the preparation period, when I was looking for shooting locations and writing the script, I bathed a lot. I could refresh myself and came up with good ideas. I really felt the effects of the hot springs.

Encounter with the Kanazawa Ensemble Orchestra

── You've shot many movies in Ishikawa Prefecture, including "Lady Kaga," "Little Maestra," and "Canon." What was the starting point for your connection with Ishikawa Prefecture?

Saiga

It was "Little Maestra," which depicted an orchestra. Initially, I was thinking of asking orchestras in Tokyo for cooperation, but at that time, there was a classical music boom triggered by "Nodame Cantabile," and all the orchestras were busy. So when I consulted with my pianist friend and acquaintances knowledgeable about music, they all told me that the "Kanazawa Ensemble Orchestra" was interesting right now.

── They also performed the theme song for NHK's Taiga Drama "Toshiie and Matsu," didn't they?

Saiga

I went to Kanazawa immediately to ask for cooperation, and they gave me a positive response. So, I decided to shoot in Ishikawa Prefecture. However, since I wasn't familiar with the area, I didn't know where to shoot. After spending four days driving around Ishikawa Prefecture, I came across Shiga Town. It's a quaint port town, and I decided to shoot here right away. That's where it all started. My connection with Ishikawa Prefecture began here.

── Do you have any plans to shoot more movies in Ishikawa Prefecture in the future?

Saiga

Yes. Eventually, I would like to produce a new Ishikawa trilogy.

── Finally, who would you like to see this movie?

Saiga

I want everyone to see it, but especially those who have been afflicted by the recent pandemic. I hope to support those who are going to recover with a V-shaped recovery. Also, women who are trying their best. I want them to see the way the chief female managers live. Growing up with two sisters, I tend to support women.

── So, many of your works are about women striving. Thank you very much for the valuable conversation today.