INT: Takako Fuji

Last Updated on July 28, 2021

JOBLO.COM/AITH
interviews Takako Fuji

"Read our The Grudge 2 set visit here!"

Enchanted was the word…as I sat
there on The Grudge 2 set with other journalists interviewing
actress TAKAKO FUJI who has played the bone chilling specter KAYAKO
in all of the Juon/Grudge films. Animated, charming and just so damn
cute, Takako talked freely about herself and the role (through an
interpreter) and here’s what she had to say…before she killed us
all.

How many times have you played Kayako?

This is the sixth time I’ve played her in a movie.
It’s difficult sometimes to keep up the motivation, because I’ve played
her so many times.

Is there anything different you get to do, in
this movie?

There are two different things that stand out as
special scenes for me to play this time. There is one scene with the
mirror that the reflection… The reflection with Kayako in the mirror
will do something very surprising. The second scene takes place in the
photographer’s dark room, where she’s actually in the water. This is
something she has never done before. The scene hasn’t been shot yet, so
I’m really looking forward to that.

How long does the makeup take?

Two hours.

Has the makeup process changed, from the
original films?

Actually, the time is shortened now. I am very
happy about that.

You have a background in ballet; did that help
you in portraying Kayako’s unusual moving style?

I did ballet from the time I was four until I was
about 11. I wasn’t a great ballet dancer or anything, but it does help
with the movements of Kayako.

Who came up with Kayako’s moving style?

Shimizu-san.

Kayako has flashbacks in some of the movies,
showing her as she was when she was alive, and then of course dead –
which one do you prefer playing?

It’s more fun to play Kayako after she’s dead.
[laughs] Because you expect Kayako to be scary and ghostly and the only
way to be that way is after she’s died.

There have been a lot of imitators – how do you
feel about that?

I think I am happy that people are mimicking me.

Why do you think this type of ghost story has
endured for so long? Why are they so popular lately?

I feel that some of the reasons are because typical
American ghosts are zombies and demons and stuff like that, but when it
comes to the Japanese ghosts it’s more like a grudge. People’s feelings
are into it. I think that’s something new to America. I think that’s
maybe what makes it scary.

What’s the difference in making an American
version as opposed to a completely Japanese production of the same type
of movie?

The Hollywood remake obviously is a bigger
production. We were able to build the sets and everything, where we can
do more stuff. So in contrary [probably meant: contrast] to Japanese
production, we have to use existing houses and we are not allowed to use
different equipment and stuff, so we have to use whatever is available
to us. But still, it was fun to do smaller productions as a team, so
both ways are fun.

Is the plot for The Grudge 2 a little fresher
for you? It’s not a remake, right?

Very, very fresh. The script is well well-written.
I have to do my best as an actresses.

Will you keep on playing the role as long as
Shimizu-san wants you to?

Yes.

There’s a new Toshio this time around. What’s it
like working with him?

The new Toshio is really young, and so everything
is new to him. He’s trying really hard. He’s doing the best he can.

Does this role affect you more mentally, or
physically?

I’m exhausted both ways!

What kind of fan reaction do you get?

They are usually scared of me! [laughs] So I try to
be even more scary!

Do you ever do the freaky moves at parties or
anything?

Yes [laughs].

Now that you’ve made so many movies with
Shimizu-san, how has your relationship evolved?

I am not a very talkative person, and he isn’t
either, so it used to be that we never really talked to each other. But
we do share the same goals, and so just recently we started chatting
[laughs]. It took me 7 years! We are both shy.

Do you believe in ghosts?

I have always believed in ghosts.

What’s the most personally satisfying things
about being involved in the Grudge film series?

The best thing is sharing this with the people I
work with.

Why is the woman in white such a strong visual
presence in Japanese cinema?

I believe it’s because of our black hair. If we’re
in white clothes it shows up and makes it more scary.

Have you ever seen any of the Grudge movies with
an audience?

[laughs] Yes. I was very happy to see the people
get scared where they’re supposed to get scared.

Have you ever been recognized in the street,
just walking around?

No, never.

What scares you?

Fire. Fire scares me. It really excites me, or
something.