Words by... Shimizu Saki (Berryz Kobo 7th Anniversary Photo Book '7')

 

It's thanks to the support from the fans that we're able to celebrate our 7th anniversary. Some of you have been cheering us on from when we made our debut, and some of you have just recently become our fans. These seven years have really been long. Tsunku♂-san has mentioned it as well. 'It's amazing for idols to continue on for so long'. I'd like to do my best from now on as well, without forgetting these feelings of gratitude.

Looking back, there really were a lot of things that happened. But it was pure bliss to have achieved the record for youngest girl group to perform at the Saitama Super Arena ('2007 Sakura Mankai Berryz Kobo Live ~Kono Kandou ha Nidoto to nai Shunkan de aru!~'). It was so emotionally moving that I cried. A former manager of ours who came to watch us told me that I shouldn't cry, there were bigger goals in store for us. (laughs) But that was how it was.

Whereas for concerts where I remember having a tough time, I'd pick the time when we were in a huge panic because the members were missing concerts due to feeling unwell. During 'Berryz Kobo Concert Tour 2009 Autumn ~Medachitai!!~', there was a point when (Tokunaga) Chinami and Kumai (Yurina)-chan were absent due to illness, so we had to perform with five people. That was a reminder about how important each and every one of us is.

Country Girls feat. Maimi Yajima (℃-ute) Original Photo Book (UTB+ vol 36 Mar 2017)

Yanagawa Nanami

I'd like to go to the gym and build up my muscles

My lifestyle took a huge turn once I joined Country Girls. Up until then, going to school was my routine. But with the addition of work, I got to go all around the country for events, I got to eat all sorts of things for the first time, I got to feast my eyes on many sights, it's all added to myself. And hiking up Mount Fuji undoubtedly left a huge impression on me. As hard as it was to deal with such a huge goal, it left me with a great sense of achievement. Last year, I got to play the sax in 'Namida no Request' and appear on Pokemon shows. This year, I'd like to leverage even more of my interests and skills in my work. I'd like to go to the gym and build up my muscles so that it'll have a good influence on my performances. When I'd first joined, I was immediately paired with Momochi-senpai for the filming of the MV for 'Boogie Woogie Love'. It made me happy when she asked me 'Are you having fun, being in Country?' As she was giving me her attention, I felt comfortable talking to Momochi-senpai. I get so nervous with Yajima-san that I haven't really talked with her. She's awe-inspiring, she's a beauty, she exudes this brilliant aura. I'd like to become like her. There's still the 'HinaFes' in March, so I hope to talk with her a little there.

Funaki Musubu

I'll work hard at my studies even after Momochi-senpai has graduated!

Last year, I got closer to the members, and have been going out increasingly more with them during our private time. I met up with Ozeki-san at eight in the morning to go and watch a horror movie. That was fun, the two of us watched it through the gaps in our fingers. (laughs) I think I've improved at talking on-stage. At first, even coming up with a topic was already hard enough, but I've gotten more and more used to it. Now I'm able to talk in detail about trivial things. I enjoy doing the talk segments while letting my inner self show. And I'll be taking exams this year, so even after Momochi-senpai graduates, I'll like to keep firm and properly study. When I was doing my first recording after having joined, I was a nervous wreck. But Momochi-senpai wished me luck. At the time, I couldn't believe that she had talked to me, I was so happy. What I remember about Yajima-san is when ℃-ute-san did a Christmas event. In that event, they discussed a survey filled by the Kenshuusei. After mulling over how to answer the question, 'What is scary about ℃-ute?', I wrote and sent in 'Yajima-san's smile is so beautiful that it's scary'. And it wasn't taken in a positive light. I got found out since I put my name down as FM-san. (laughs) I'd like to tell her that it was a misunderstanding. I meant it in the best of ways!

Momochi no Kimochi: Afterword

Thank you very much for enthusiastically reading until the very end.

Didn’t you come to like Momochi even more by reading this book?

At the very least, I came to like myself even more ♥

I hope that as many people as possible enjoy it.

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Momochi no Kimochi: Tears (Essay #22/22)

I got to go to a primary school for a month to do practical teacher training as part of my university studies. I’m an idol 24 hours a day, and my aura of cuteness shines bright around the clock. But since I’d be at school, I’d have to work hard to conceal that aura. At any rate, the nickname ‘Momochi’ and the Momochi Musubi were no-nos. As a result, my students didn’t seem to have noticed, and my teaching practice went by without a hitch. Of course it was better that way, but to me, it felt a bit sad, like a piece of myself had been taken away from me……

In that state of mind, I approached my final day. My students had never called me anything but ‘Tsugunaga-sensei’. But after I had said my farewells, with a ‘one two’, they said ‘We love Momochi~!’ I hadn’t expected this surprised, so I was caught off-guard. No matter when I dealt with my students, I’d tried not to let that part of me show. I’m known to be an iron-hearted woman, who would hardly, if ever, show my tears in front of people. And yet, I was crying buckets…… Like something out of a drama, it was a beautiful story, a beautiful scene, and they were also beautiful tears. The smiles on the faces of my students were of course so wonderful that it was almost blinding.

You know. Because of that, how do I put this…… Thinking about it now, there was a camera when it happened! Since it was really a truly lovely scene! Perhaps if we had given it another try, I would have properly looked at the camera, and cried nicely. I’m confident that I could pull it off! But I definitely would like to be in the Momochi Musubi if we did that ♪

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Momochi no Kimochi: The statement that changed my fate (Essay #21/22)

I’m now known as ‘Momochi’ all over Japan, or should I say, throughout the world (!?), but it was given to me by my fellow group member Sugaya Risako-chan about four or five years ago. She probably turned ‘Momo-chan’ to ‘Momochi’, but it was cute and rolled off the tongue, so I thought that it was a good nickname.

It was about two years later when I decided that I’d fare better with a nickname, that I’d be Momochi from then on. In order to spread the word, I started by changing my signature. But I would require permission from my manager in order to change my signature. And what’s more, given that my nickname had yet to make its mark at the time, would they really allow me to change from my name ‘Momoko’ to ‘Momochi’? There weren't any senpai that could act as a precedent, so perhaps they might be really against it…… With my head all in a mess, I discussed it with my manager-san. I showed my manager my new signature, asking whether it would be all right for me to change my signature like that. And my manager uttered the following statement:

‘Ah, that’s great, it’s much quicker to write.’

…...T, that’s it~~!? What was the point of me getting so worked up about? Give me back that sense of panic I had wastefully used up!! But I was lucky that I got to change it without too much fuss ♪ And as you all know, the nickname ‘Momochi; has spread throughout Japan ♥♥♥ And that’s thanks to the lightly-made statement by that manager-san ♥

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Momochi no Kimochi: Dreams (Essay #20/22)

Momochi is versatile (?), but I have a skill that impresses even myself.

I am able to control what happens in my dreams.

For example, if I'm being chased after baddies, I'll wish for a policeman to come, and one will come. If I want to get down from a high spot, I'll wish for a trampoline to cushion my landing, and a trampoline will appear. So no matter how bad of a dream I'm having, everything settles well in the end. Isn't that amazing? But apparently anyone can do it with enough practice.

And yet, before concerts, I'll definitely have a dream where I lose my teeth. The situation's the same: At a performance set at an outdoor stage, we'll be called out to perform, and my teeth will pop out. I'll be perplexed: 'What do I do? I've got no front teeth!' And it always ends there.

It's only in that dream where things end before I can take control.

I've always been having that dream. It's already been about 10 years since I first started experiencing it.

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Momochi no Kimochi: Cosplay (Essay #18/22)

Keep this between us: I'm so good in cosplay that it's almost scary. It doesn't just stop at maid uniforms, I'm cute as a nurse or even as Red Riding Hood! I looked unexpectedly good when I dressed up as a policewoman, and I had a photo of that as my lock screen at one point in time. Going with the flow, I've even dressed up as a cockroach. You might not think that dressing as a cockroach would be appropriate for an idol, and yet I was still adorable. Rustling my way through.

Unfortunately, wigs are the only things that don't suit me. When I wore a blue wig to cosplay as Ayanami Rei-chan, I got quite a lot of booing from the Eva fans. Honestly, it was even less well received that the cockroach. (laughs)

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Momochi no Kimochi: Luxuries (Essay #19/22)

I've got zero attachment to shopping.
Brands, cosmetics, I've got no interest.
Hairdressers, nails, those are out of my area of knowledge.

I don't really use my money,
so recently I've been called the 'thrifty idol',
But what does that do to my image??

To me, luxury would be 'Finishing a whole package of bubblegum, all 12 gums, in one go'.
Normally you'd eat them separately, so to have them in one go, isn't that quite the luxury?
What's more, the gum doesn't get swallowed,
and gets discarded instead.
That also adds to the luxuriousness, doesn't it!?

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Momochi no Kimochi - 22 idol guidelines in the style of Momochi

I: One should treasure the things that don't change.
Idols provide people with dreams, so it's really important to have something that remains constant. While looks will change with age, it's important that you put in some effort and have some tricks up your sleeve so that you don't show how you've aged. In that sense, I really admire and respect Matsuda Seiko-san, who doesn't seem to have changed even despite growing older.

II: One should remain firm to their own style
Establish your own style, something that you'll keep on doing no matter what. My pinky that's always standing at attention, my nickname Momochi - these are things that I persisted with despite facing resistance. At some point, people stopped mentioning anything about them, and they've now become my trademarks. Whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!

III: One should think positively
At first, I used to have a 'heart of glass'. It's better to do something and fail rather than to fail without having done anything at all. Even if you fail, that's that, then move on to the next thing.

IV: One should learn how to forget
While I occasionally fail at auditions for shows, it's common for me to naturally forget about it. The other day, a producer apologised to me for not being able to cast me in a prior show, but I had already forgotten about that rejection in a heartbeat. Forgetfulness is also useful is refreshing your emotions as you head on to try the next thing.

V: One should sing even if they are on a basket
People often say that they made their start using a box as their performance stage. But when I was small, I flipped over a red laundry basket and used that as a stage. It might have been less steady than a box, but that was how strongly I admired idols. It showed how much grit I had. The power of chasing one's dreams is majestic, isn't it!?

VI: One should take up opportunities with everything they've got
There are lots of people who came to learn about Momochi through 'MechaIke'. At the time, I faced it full of spirit, and thought of it as a turning point for my life. I only thought about putting myself forward. In the past, Tsunku♂-san would always scold me, telling me that the senpai-kouhai relationship doesn't matter when on-stage. Victory goes to whoever stands out. I think that things turned out nicely. It resulted in a lot of people getting to know me, so I'm grateful to Tsunku♂-san ♥

VII: One should also accept the haters
When you've appeared on various programmes, there'll be more people who like you. But it doesn't just end there: there'll definitely also be a rise in the number of haters. Yet, it also provides opportunities to change that 'dislike' into 'like' someday. The scariest thing is actually when people are 'indifferent'. So on the contrary, I'm grateful for the haters. If you take their words as advice, you'll be able to accept and understand them.

VIII: Firstly, one should love oneself
As a basis, you should only watch idol DVDs which you appear in. Even on concert DVDs where all the Hello! Project members appear, I watch the other groups at 5x speed. If I see a flash of myself sitting in the bleachers, I go back, and once that's done with, I speed things back up. (laughs) To everyone in the other groups, yurushite-nyan ♥ While it's obviously fun to watch yourself, if you check yourself out with such zeal, you'll learn and discover all sorts of things about yourself, so don't make light of it.

Momochi no Kimochi: Nervousness (Essay #17/22)

Recently, I haven't been nervous at all during concerts. It's like I've almost forgotten how it's like to be nervous.

Before, I used to fret about making mistakes, but nowadays, I'm fine even if there are 5000 people in the audience.

And yet, I get nervous when I have to talk in front of about 30 people.

In the past, I used to be bad at reading aloud in classes, so bad that I'd even read out '.' as 'full stop'.
Or my palms would get sweaty as I waited for my turn to arrive.

Even now, when I have to make presentations in front of ten people at university seminars, just standing in front of people makes my heart pound, my face red. I feel running away while screaming 'Please don't look at me!'

At those times, I'd cheerfully start with a 'Right, let's get this talk started♪' This makes me feel like I'm pretty much at a concert, which steadies myself a little. I bear these words in my heart: 'This isn't a classroom. This is Nakano Sunplaza!'

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Momochi no Kimochi: The illusory flavour (Essay #16/22)

When I was in primary school, the dish I liked the most at the lunch service would be the miso soup.

The taste of miso is extremely to my liking.

It's the best match for my palate. 

The was another kid in my class who also liked miso soup, and that kid would often slip out in the ruckus before we said grace to quickly top-up their miso soup. 

With its mild taste and condiments such as radishes immersed in it, that miso soup was really delicious. 

The other day, I just happened to get the opportunity to savour the miso soup from the primary school that I attended, but unfortunately, the taste had changed a little. 

At this point in time, that miso soup has become an illusory memory. 

From the bottom of my heart, I really regret that I never asked what sort of miso they used. 

However, if I you were to ask me what I'd like for my last meal, without hesitation, I'd pick yakiniku ♥

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Momochi no Kimochi: Tokyo Tower (Essay #15/22)

Currently, the Skytree is the talk of the town.
The Skytree, which is capable of making digital broadcasts.

But honestly, I sometimes get worried about those.
Those high-definition broadcasts.
The high resolution reveals even the nooks and crannies,
So while I'm of course happy
That you get to fully enjoy Momochi's cuteness,
When my skin isn't doing that well......
I've have just a bit of a grudge towards the Skytree. (laughs)

On that point, I often go to Tokyo Tower because it's close to the office,
And I've grown used to it,
So for me
I still prefer Tokyo Tower over the Skytree.

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Momochi no Kimochi: 1st April (Essay #14/22)

Caption on photo in the middle of the right page: From '2007 Sakura Mankai Berryz Kobo Live ~Sono Kandou ha Nidotonai Shunkan de aru!~' held on the 1st of April 2007

On April Fools' Day, corporations make majestic jokes, and these jokes keep on getting better and more exciting than before. But for me, I think that idols shouldn't tell lies, so the day always ends without me pulling any pranks. It's not because it would such a pain to establish an elaborate set-up that would make my lie seem realistic, no, nothing like that ♪

Maybe because I don't pull pranks, pranks don't seem to get pulled on me either. Well, I'm most interested in myself and I don't really get concerned about others, so maybe I just don't notice. (laughs) And another big thing might be that even if I noticed it, I'd just react with an 'Ah, is that so~', and that would be the end of it. (Teehee ♥) But I guess April Fools' isn't something huge for me? Instead, I get more excited on the day before that, the 31st, when I can get 31% off at a a certain ice cream store. So to me, April Fools' feels more like 'The day after 31% off' for me.

However, when it comes to the 1st of April, I do have one huge memory. In 2007, Berryz Kobo got to do a concert on our own at the Saitama Super Arena. That was on the 1st of April. You know, I was really nervous about it. I thought that it might not be true. Even when the fans at handshake events brought up the fact that our arena performance was coming up soon, I wondered if they were in on some large-scale prank. What if they raised the curtains, and there would be no one in the audience, or there'd be just a single person standing there holding a sign to tell us we had been pranked...? Up until the day itself, I constantly had my doubts. Of course that wasn't the case, so all it amounted to was pointless worrying. If that had been an April Fools' joke, that probably would have been enough for the rest of my life.

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Momochi no Kimochi: The Olympics (Essay #13/22)

Figure skating is the sport that I watch the most during the Winter Olympics.
I can enjoy it even without knowing the rules,
and perhaps not knowing much about the rules makes it simpler to enjoy.
After all, even if their spins are lacking, I'll still think 'How pretty♥'.

And my pick has definitely got to be Asada Mao-senshu.
We're from the same generation, and she so coolly carries the weight of Japan on her shoulders.
In the midst of being under the pressure of being the centre of the world's attention,
she has to perform under conditions where no slip-ups are permitted.
It was really cool to see her successfully pull off her performance.

Besides that, she's pretty, with a body to die for.
First of all, how are her legs so long?
Her body's so supple as well, I wonder what sorts of exercises she does every day.

'I know of a good workout called the "Yurushite-nyan Taisou". Shall we do it together!?'....
I'd like to have that conversation with her someday.

She's a figure skater, while I'm an idol.
We both similarly carry the weight of Japan on our shoulders,
so I think that we'll be able to understand the hardships that we face ♥

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Momochi no Kimochi: Friday (Essay #12/22)

[Preface: FRIDAY is a tabloid magazine. In the H!P fandom, they are notorious for publishing 'scandal' shots that have been the death knell of several members' idol careers. 
H!P idols who have had their career cut short after being 'Fridayed' include former Morning Musume。 members Yaguchi Mari, Kago Ai, and Fujimoto Miki. 
A more recent Friday incident would be the recent 'scandal shot' involving Okai Chisato and Sudo Maasa. 
In general, being told that Friday has a scoop on you is not good news.]

At the end of last year, on a day that was drawing close to the end of the year.

'Tsugunaga, come here for a moment,' my manager-san called out to me.

'Eh? What's up?' I wondered, and my manager-san said with a serious look on their face, 'There's a photo of you in Friday magazine......'

Eh??? What the?? Obviously I had no memory of this. But, Friday, that Friday?

'No way that's true. I've got nothing to be guilty about!', 'It's got to be fake news!'

As I pleaded my case, the thought that it might be someone who looked similar to me crossed my mind.

While I was in a complete panic, my manager-san continued.

'You went out for ice cream with another person. They caught it on camera.'

'No way, I didn't! I mean, I don't even have anyone who'd go out with me like that.'

I was trying to clarify with all my life. And then, my manager-san......

'No, I think you did...... With Tokunaga.' (grin)

That's right, on that day, I had gone out to eat ice cream with my groupmate Tokunaga Chinami at the park behind the office.

Oh Friday-san, going all paparazzi on me, when I was just enjoying the moment on a bright and beautiful evening! And my manager-san is to blame as well!

By the way, the ice cream I had on that day was a Yukimi Daifuku.
Even now, when I have that ice cream, Friday comes to mind.

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Momochi no Kimochi: Delusional Theatre of Love Wedding ceremony edition

I'd like to have this sort of romance!

A Momochi-style romance simulation

Wedding ceremony edition

The proposal happened on an unforgettable Christmas Eve.
My actual, real present had been hidden amongst the decorations on a Christmas tree.

I opened the box, and inside was a ring with a glittering diamond on it.
He gently put it on the ring finger of my left hand.
With a nod, I replied with a 'Yes'.

And today marks our long-awaited wedding ceremony.

Famous people came rushing to the ceremony, not just from Japan, but from overseas as well.
Tom Cruise came on his private jet - He's been an Otomomochi ever since we previously appeared together on a programme.
We ended up counting on Tom to give a speech.
Toda Natsuko-san had also come to act as an interpreter.
Everything had been fully prepared.
The wedding dress was of course designed by myself for this day.

'Momochi, KAWAII YO.' (Momochi, you're so cute)

He said to me, using what Japanese he remembered.

I was betrothed to the prince of ♦♦, who had fallen for me at first sight ♥

There had been opposition from men all over Japan, and squabbling amongst the princes of other countries.
In the blink of an eye, there had been an outbreak of international disputes!
It was a moment of crisis, but that has now become a good memory.
Having overcome such trials, the two of us are definitely bound for happiness!

The wedding ceremony moved along without a hitch, and we finally got to the cake-cutting.
Showered by a wave of camera flashes, we plunged the knife into the 7 meter tall cake.
That was our first act done together as a married couple.
My heart was pounding......
All of the sudden, I heard the door open with a bam!

'Momochi, CYOTTO MATTE!' (Momochi, stop right there!)'

Ahh, it's the prince of ♣♣!

Has he not given up on me?

He took my arm, and forcibly stole me away from the place, bringing me straight to his country of ♣♣.

Actually, this has been the third time that things have developed this way.
I'm so popular that it's probelmatic!
When will I be happy~?

<The end>

Tsugunaga Momoko 'Illustration of the Universe'

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Momochi no Kimochi: Delusional Theatre of Love - Date edition

I'd like to have this sort of romance!

A Momochi-style romance simulation

Date edition

Today, the two of us have a date at a summer festival. I'm looking forward to the fireworks show as well!
It seems that he got bashful seeing me in a yukata.

'I'll buy you a yakisoba.'
And there he goes, running. Seeing him like that makes my heart pound ♥ Will I even be able to eat yakisoba?

Then, unexpectedly, I heard a wolf whistle from behind me.
'Hey hey there girlie, you're looking cute. You alone~?'

I had gotten involved with a bunch of three louts. What was I to do! And then I heard the voice of another guy.

'Oi, what are you doing to someone else's girl'
He'd returned! I was so happy that I could cry.

But tears really did flow after that. A fight started, and he got a sound beating.
'You don't talk that way with us again!'

After those guys left, just me and him remained.
'I'm sorry, that was pretty lame.'

He said that in apology. And yet, that wasn't the case at all.

'Anyway, let's get to somewhere that's a bit more quiet.'

To get away from the crowds, we went on top of a slightly distant hill.

'This has got to be the worst summer festival ever... ouch.'

'It's fine, stay still.'

I tended to his wounds, with tears in my eyes,

The sky suddenly exploded with light.
We raised our eyes, and the night sky was filled with fireworks.

'Could it be, we're at a good spot to watch the fireworks?'

'Yeah, like it's reserved for us. I guess we have those guys to thank.'

I could see the beautiful fireworks reflecting off his eyes as he said that with a laugh.

I'll let some time pass, and then maybe I'll go and buy yakisoba after that ♥

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Momochi no Kimochi - Delusional Theatre of Love - Encounter edition

I'd like to have this sort of romance!

A Momochi-style romance simulation

Encounter edition

I am Tsugunaga Momoko. Nickname: Momochi. My hobbies are reading and watching DVDs. But if I just shut myself in at home, it's hard to encounter anyone...... And so, I went to the rental store by myself to pick out some DVDs. Hohoho~

I'd already checked out the new releases, so I was going to rent them today. 'Ah, this one! I've always wanted to watch it!'

The moment I stretched out to take it, another large hand reached out for it at the same time.
'Oops, I'm sorry.'

It was a guy that I'd never seen before. He only said 'I'm fine, you can have it' and went off. Though he did seem eager to watch it as well. Was it really all right for me to take it?

The next day, as I was walking in town, thinking about the DVD that I'd watched yesterday, a guy suddenly turned the corner and we collided into one another! Ouchie~☆

'I'm sorry, are you injured?'

'I'm fine. Sorry, I was spacing out as well.'

As the two of us picked up our scattered belongings, we passed our things to one another.

'Thank you. I've got to hurry, so excuse me. I'm really sorry.'

Eh? Could it be, yesterday's...? No no, that's too much of a coincidence. Right?
Oh no! Regardless of what happened, if I don't hurry, I'll miss my train!
I dashed off to the station, and took out my pass case from my bag.
However, something felt a bit off.

'Hmm? This isn't mine! It's that guy's!'

In it was that guy's licence, and a Berryz Kobo fan club membership card.

'Is this...... destiny?'

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Momochi no Kimochi: Momochi's anatomy

Momochi's anatomy

From left to right: Pinky, Chin, Momochi Musubi, Ribbon, Feet

Momochi Musubi

The Momochi Musubi are like my characteristic trademark. One of these days, they're going to make promotional goods using Momochi's silhouette ♥ Unexpectedly, treatments are their weakness. My hair gets so silky smooth that it hinders me from tying them up the next day.

Momochi no Kimochi: Nickname (Essay #11/22)

From way back, I've always been given nicknames that are close to 'Momoko', such as 'Momo-chan' or 'Momoko-chan'. Maybe it's because my family name 'Tsugunaga' is difficult to read. Which reminds me, in the past, Yaguchi Mari-san gave me the nickname Maru-chan, from Momoko→Sakura Momoko→Maru-chan. It was an extremely reckless situation in the middle of an interview, so that nickname was given in desperation. It didn't sink in at all after that, it hasn't even seen any use. [laughs]

'Maru-chan' was still cute though. Of the nicknames I've been given so far, the nickname I hated the most was 'Momotaro'. When I was in kindergarten, there was this really persistent boy who would call me that, I hated it so much that I felt like taking a break from school. Every day, he would ask 'Oi Momotaro, gimme a kibi dango', just like the legend. As I am now, I would probably come back with a 'Are you a pheasant!?', also in reference to the legend. But I was a shy girl at the time, so I couldn't say anything at all ♥ But that boy liked me. Which reminds me, in kindergarten, there apparently were two other boys who proposed to me (according to Mama). That was my period of MAX popularity ☆

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