It is good to keep changing, but at the same time it is also good to stay the same. Virtue naturally resides in things that do not change, and new things are created. A nostalgic story that combines such essential beauty and novelty is captured with Masami Nagasawa, one of Japan’s leading actresses.
How was the shooting this time?
I enjoyed it very much. I personally admired the atmosphere of the 90’s, which was the concept for this shooting, and I was able to immerse myself in it. Shooting with film has a different mood than shooting digitally, so I am looking forward to seeing the finished product, which I think will have a unique taste. I have worked with Mr. Arai, a photographer several times in the past, so I was able to put all my trust in him.
You guys did it in perfect harmony. Were there any outfits that made an impact on you?
While the overall atmosphere was extraordinary, there were glimpses of everyday scenes, such as ALAÏA’s outfit, for example, which is a modern fashion and evokes a slightly nudie feeling, like when you come home and take off your clothes. It was very soft to wear and elegant in its lightness. PRADA’s look is very cute, with a retro-pop vibe that looks as if it came straight out of a fashion magazine. The gorgeous MARNI dress with its all-over pattern is another favorite of mine. I had seen the outfit on the rack before the shooting, but I thought the body lines would show up more beautifully when I actually wore it. The upper body was designed to be comfortable for the current time, while the lower body was body conscious and feminine, and the balance between the two was appealing. LOUIS VUITTON also had beautiful tops with an artistic form, as if we were looking at architecture, and DOLCE&GABBANA also had a brand-like quality, like an unchanging goodness, and I really felt that outfits were all stunning.
What kind of fashion do you usually like?
I like comfortable and easy clothes. I am the type of person who walks briskly by nature, so I tend to wear pants, and recently I have been returning to monotone and simple items. But that’s partly because of my mood, and I really like colorful items as well. Like the NIKE styling I wore in the outfit this time, I love tops with lots of patterns and sporty tastes with colors, although I don’t usually have the chance to wear them.
If there are any fashion items you are looking out for this summer, we would love to hear about them.
I am looking for a beautiful dress to wear. I really love summer and the simple combination of a tank top and denim is my favorite. I feel that clothes that can be worn like a uniform are nice.
GIANNA has an image of a glamorous woman who is both strong and supple. What is your ideal image of a woman?
The ideal woman I envision is someone with a bit of boyishness. I myself have a childish nature. That’s why I think so, but I have a desire to face things in an innocent way. That may sound childish, but I’d like to make sure I never forget to view things purely and straightforwardly, in other words, having fun and always keeping a mischievous spirit somewhere in my heart, while also being mature and feminine. I would like to continue to value that kind of boyishness in the future.
Do you have any tips on how to enjoy the “boyishness”?
These days I try to schedule what I want to do in a well-defined and realistic manner. Even if it is a small thing, that’s totally fine, and I will clear it one by one, rather than putting it off until later. Of course, that will happen when the time is right, but little by little, I have been able to cherish my hobbies and private time.
How do you spend your private time?
I like cooking, so I’ve been into fish dishes recently. To be precise, I’ve been addicted to grilling fish whole. I buy a whole fish and enjoy grilling it, trying to make it moist and fresh. I’d like to enjoy it so that I can master it more. I also want to make time to travel more and more. I like to go abroad and have been doing so for a while now. I’ve had a great time going to various countries for work, and I feel that Europe is a great place to spend time. I had another opportunity to go to London for a stage job at the end of last year, and before that, I went to Paris for a fashion shooting, and as I get older, I am reminded of how great Europe is. I’d like to visit more countries, because each country has a different look and feel, but also a history that has been built because they are connected by continents, and learning about these cultures gives me a very fulfilling sensation. On the other hand, I am also aware of the depth of Japanese history and would like to visit Kyoto and other places several times this year.
Please tell us about your work. It was about 25 years ago that you won the Grand Prix at the 5th “Toho Cinderella” audition in 2000. How did you feel when you first started your work? Were you originally interested in the entertainment industry?
It has already been that long. Probably since I was a little girl, I liked to watch people acting, and I used to watch a lot of TV dramas. However, at the time, I did not understand acting as a job, so I think it was a combination of various coincidences that led me to this job by chance. Although I did not understand everything from the beginning, acting and performing gradually became important to me, and when I became aware of it as my own work, it became something I could face with worthwhile.
Was there a turning point in your life that was life-changing?
I meet turning point like every moment. I am truly grateful that I’ve encountered many very good works, and I’ve learned a lot from them, and I’ve also been influenced in many ways by the people in the office around me. Gradually, I’ve been able to think about what I like, what I am interested in, and what kind of things I want to work hard for, while listening to my heart properly, and I always feel that way in the cycle of facing new work.
Did you feel that way naturally, or did you intentionally make time to think about it yourself?
I would say I did both. That is also a step by step process, but I had to think about it, and I think I was able to start thinking about it.
What do you place at the core of your work?
I think it is about how we view what we can do now. When we start thinking about various things, including future concerns, we lose touch with what is in front of us. I know this from my own experience, so I work every day, valuing what expands as I face what is in front of me now.
What are some of your creative sources for acting, filming, etc.?
As for my main job as an actor, I’d like to continue to carefully increase my senses and knowledge so that I can delve more and more into the inner aspects of my roles and the multifaceted aspects of human beings. I have a sense that I am finally starting to enjoy these kinds of fashion shooting and other work that is on a slightly different vector from acting as an actor. Fashion can also lift, set, and stimulate one’s own feelings and moods. In that way, fashion shooting is a very enjoyable field. In the past, I used to work too hard, but recently I have come to be able to face it with greater enjoyment, and I am very grateful for that because I am blessed with the people around me.
Perhaps you are expressing your personality.
That’s right. I still can’t figure out the right answer as to whether something like personality is necessary for an actor, but since clothing is the most familiar form of self- expression, I think it’s okay to project yourself into it and have it reflect a bit of your own personality and feelings, such as your current mood and hobbies. I am taking on it in the hope that I can cherish that part of me, which is completely different from the role I play.
In the adver tisement for your new film “Dollhouse,” which is to be released in theaters on June 13 (Friday), I saw the catchphrase “Ms. Nagasawa was so fascinated by the interesting script that she was eager to appear in the film.” What was it about the film that appealed to you before you started shooting it?
The story unfolds in an unpredictable way, and I felt like I was being drawn in more and more, which made it really interesting even when I was just reading the script. I enjoyed the excitement and thrill of wondering what would happen next, and I thought, “This work looks really interesting!” Since it is directed by Yaguchi (Shinobu), you might think that there are some comedic elements, but the content is a bit surprising and thrilling. The enjoyment of these genres of works may differ slightly from country to country.
You won the “Best Film Award” at the 45th Porto International Film Festival, and have also received high acclaim at film festivals in Hong Kong and Italy, among others. How do you feel about the response around the world?
I’m very grateful about that. Unlike Japanese horror films, it’s described as a “thrilling film” or “doll mystery,” so it is not a damp film, but rather it is a film with a sense of attraction like a roller coaster ride, so I think people all over the world can enjoy it.
How did you feel while playing the role of the main character, Yoshie Suzuki?
It is no different than when I usually perform, but there were times when I was instructed to “make a face I’ve never made before,” which was quite an interesting experience.
What are some of the highlights of “Dollhouse”?
In the film, things happen one after another without stopping, involving the family. I am sure that everyone will be drawn into this mysterious and chilling environment. It is an experience of surprise, not fear, so it is a film that can be enjoyed with family and friends without any worries!
You are as beautiful as ever, so is there anything you are conscious of on a daily basis in order to keep your body and mind healthy? What do you pay attention to in terms of beauty?
Now that I am moving around on stage a lot, I feel that full-body exercise is good for me. I think training is important, but working on something that moves the whole body makes me feel healthier both mentally and physically, and it also improves blood flow. So, I’d like to try dancing and other activities even on my day off. Walking is also good for my body, and it raises my spirits and motivates me on a daily basis, so I’ve loved to go for walks since I became an adult. I often walk the streets when I go abroad. Even around home, I think some people don’t walk much in the areas where they live. I recommend walking to a place that would normally be just one train stop away, and I also like to spend time walking around with my camera.
Do you often take pictures by yourself?
I take pictures, but I am not very good at it and am practicing all the time. But there are some things that I can see through the camera, such as my own perspective, or what I was seeing when I look back at the pictures I took, and I make different discoveries again. I want to enjoy my life, and one important thing is to nurture my sensitivity in this way, so I take a walk with a camera.
How do you do your mindset when you feel down or depressed?
I do my mindset by eating something delicious, which is simply eating with simple seasoning. Good salt, good oil, and good soy sauce. I am particular about what I like in seasoning as well. It’s fun to try different small sizes and choose the one I like best while searching for my favorite.
What genre of cuisine do you cook most often?
I like Japanese food, but I often make Chinese food as well. I make Chinese food with familiar tastes that suit Japanese dining tables, and the seasoning may be surprisingly simple. I also like salads, so I always eat vegetables.
You are taking something that is naturally good for your body.
Exactly. I’ve always loved what is called healthy food. But of course, I also eat sweets, which I enjoy as something else!
When do you feel happiest?
I feel happiest when I am relaxed, which is when I go home after work and relax, knowing that I’ve done my best today. There is a sense of elation or accomplishment after putting in a lot of effort. I think that is what I look forward to every day as I work hard.
Do you have a reward for yourself?
The reward for me is shopping. I go shopping for fashion, seasonings, or good food. Recently, I have been trying to buy clothes by visiting street stores and other stores properly. I used to buy online, but those opportunities have decreased, because I realized that it is important to see things with my own eyes. There is always a depth that the materials bring out. As with any acting or anything else, the presence of the material itself creates distortion, a mood, or a sense of atmosphere, so it’s important to see things with my eyes. You have to feel the aura that the object has. Even if it is just placed there, the atmosphere it creates is completely different. I like to look at things from this point of view, because each designed thing has its own meaning and intention.
Do you have any personal rules that you cannot compromise on?
It is about making sure that it’s fun for everyone to be with me. It is also important for me to be in a good mood, so I try to take good care of my own mood.
The core theme of this issue of GIANNA is “NEW FIELD”, which means the next new frontier. Is there anything new you would like to challenge?
I can’t tell you clearly yet, but I have something in mind. Right now, I am still in the stage of having to organize it in my thoughts.
What do you want to achieve in your thirties and what are your future prospects?
There are things I want to achieve in my thirties, but I want to spend my days happily and peacefully. However, there are many things in my life that I haven’t even tried yet, and I’d like to enjoy life more. I would also like to continue to do my acting as I have always done, and I am passionate about it, but I want to incorporate a little more freedom into my life and enrich my own life, which is to spend time studying, with my family, and working on things I haven’t even tried yet, as well as hobbies.
PROFILE
Masami Nagasawa, an actress
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture on June 3, 1987, belonging to Toho Entertainment Co., Ltd. She won the Grand Prix at the 5th “Toho Cinderella” audition in 2000 and made her acting debut in a film production the same year. She won numerous awards including the Best Supporting Actress at the 28th Japan Academy Awards in 2004 for her role in the film “Crying Out Love in the Center of the World” and since then she has received various other awards. Her recent major film credits include “THE CONFIDENCEMAN JP”series, “KINGDOM”series, “MOTHER,” “Lost Care,” and “All About Suomi.” The movie “Dollhouse,” in which she plays the lead role is to be released in theaters on Friday, June 13, 2025, and the movie “Oi, Oui” will premiere on Friday, October 17, 2025.
Model:MASAMI NAGASAWA(TOHO ENTERTAINMENT) Photography:SHUNYA ARAI(YARD) Styling:MAHO NONAMI(TOHO ENTERTAINMENT) Hair:YUSUKE MORIOKA(eight peace) Makeup:SUZUKI Edit&Text:SEIRA MAEHARA