Online interview with Yamasaki?

I’ve noticed before that Tsukitei Hosei can reply to random people on his Twitter. Then why not to organise online interview with him? I suggest writing some questions for him from our forum, next the best questions will be selected, translated and asked. The aim is 1) to get answers to our GnT-related questions and 2) to let Yamasaki know how may fans GnT (and personammly him) have abroad.

I like the idea. Even if we can translate a few lines into Japanese and tweet them at him. We love you and we’re here!

I don’t know if I have a question, like dael though I think it’d be nice to make him aware that there are people outside Japan enjoying his work both on Gaki no Tsukai and outside of it. Always hope for more English subtitles but appreciate the things he does that’s been enjoyable without words (gestures, faces, random actions/energy, music/singing and other things). Could also wish him all the best for the future.

For a formal interview best to ask first if he’d be OK with it. I guess someone should check the questions are appropriate with the different culture and all too.

But yeah he does respond to random people on Twitter which is nice, like someone who wanted him to wish them Happy Birthday.

We can ask for the interview on Twitter, and choose the best option, because flooding his twitter would be not so good

What is his Twitter account? Also are any of there others on there?
Cheers!

Tsukitei’s (Yamasaki) Twitter:

His blog (less active):

Endo’s twitter:

I don’t know if there is one for Tanaka, Matsumoto or Hamada. But here are some other familiar faces that Yamasaki Twittered to in the past:
Hamada’s wife:

Kazuhiro Fujiwara from License:

Koji Higashino

Thank you!

Well according to his bio, English is suppose to be one of his talent and I remember watching one of the show, I can’t remember which one but it is inside the Yamasaki Megathread, that he taught some of the commedians English. But he taught them stuff like "Hello, my name is ____ ", so I’m not sure if he is really conversant with English or he is just having fun.

I think that he has skill in English to an extent considered impressive for someone in Japan, though like you say whether he’s proficient enough to hold a conversation might be something else, he might just know bits and pieces of what he likes? Maybe that could be a question for him then! I’d be curious how much English he knows these days (the fact he knows any is cool in itself). I think better to pose it in Japanese though just incase. I don’t remember the teaching people English scene you mentioned ( there is a lot of stuff in that thread afterall!), please let me know if you remember where it was.

He does seems to enjoy breaking out in random English (like saying "No") or singing in English, I dunno [url=http://www.d-aiba.com/top-page/%E7%94%B7%E6%80%A7/%E6%9C%88%E4%BA%AD%E6%96%B9%E6%AD%A3-%E5%B1%B1%E5%B4%8E%E9%82%A6%E6%AD%A3-1/:1ul94pjx]where this page got info[/url:1ul94pjx] but seems to say he loves Disneyland and singing all the attraction songs there in English (I want to hear that ).

A bit more rambling with some clips:
[hide:1ul94pjx]There was a moment in a 2012 music contest show where others seemed to correct his English however

He was also on a quiz show this month where the question was "What is President Obama's slogan? Yes, [??]", he answered with "Yes, it is." which they gave him a tough time about

I believe he can pronounce English Ls which is considered very difficult in Japan. Though I think other aspects of English are still tough to pronounce. However again still impressive for someone in Japan since on a singing contest show [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuQ62KEjIkE&list=PLT86dzvZgwglsm1x4S_qFv8gH9fWj3nS5&index=7:1ul94pjx]Comedian Karaoke King he sung in English "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"[/url:1ul94pjx] and won that round, he might of improved since then. Though later [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKMTDSedJB4&feature=youtu.be:1ul94pjx]he sings it again in a rematch and seems to bomb[/url:1ul94pjx], I think they felt his pitch was off/lower or something though rather than the pronunciation. He also often sung Happy Birthday but I think in the style of what he feels Hamada Shogo would be like singing it.

In early years at least it seems it was a bit of a gag how he couldn't say more than a few words in English (maybe thats part of why he wanted to improve? ). He tried to do a full Rakugo skit in English on Downtown Kazaana (1995-1996) but had to stop and admit he couldn't do it, Matsumoto almost dies laughing.

Also a funny speaking English only challenge from the 1996 - 1997 Family Shimura show he played the son in (I have no idea what he is trying to say at the end ):

And in the Gaki no Tsukai episode Loser Yamasaki Transformation Plan he's confused when confronted with foreign staff who only know English.
But again he's probably improved a lot since then of course. Some pages do mention that he has a good grasp of English, citing for example many years back when he was going to have to do a bungee jump and wanted out, he understood the English staff when they said "No problem" and responded "No problem? Thank you". But to what extent he'd understand our questions and comments would be unsure I guess.[/hide:1ul94pjx]

Sorry if my previous post is misleading but there isn’t a scene where he taught others the English language in the Yamasaki Megathread, but it was mentioned on one of the show by some other commedians that he taught them English.

[quote="jonnyboi":2h9zmrqa]Sorry if my previous post is misleading but there isn’t a scene where he taught others the English language in the Yamasaki Megathread, but it was mentioned on one of the show by some other commedians that he taught them English.[/quote:2h9zmrqa]

Ah I see, well if you come across it again feel free to Private Message me whenever. Sounds interesting.
Cool that he was able to teach them some English phrases.

I always thought that his English was good, and he talks about travelling overseas, going to Paris three times, etc.

Then I saw a Yamasaki produce where he was singing in English, and it was painful. haha. I don’t remember which one…

But like sodou says, for Japanese people he might be quite good. I taught English in Japan for two years, the learning style used in their schools is not conducive to learning a foreign language. Only people who are really keen or who need it for work, etc, learn it at all. I read a report somewhere that Japan is second only to North Korea in lack of English skills throughout Asia. I believe it.