Umezawa Tomio has built a career as a popular theater actor playing female roles. In the 2000s, he began appearing more frequently on variety shows, further strengthening his presence. Many people are particularly familiar with his work on "Pre-Bato!!," a show currently airing on the TBS network. This time, we'd like to focus on the watch chosen by Umezawa Tomio, who has a delicate sensibility that focuses on the changing seasons.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
[Article published on January 7, 2025]
"Shitamachi Tamasaburo" continues to be active in many fields
Umezawa Tomio stars in the currently airing TV drama "Asakusa Last Boss Grandma." It's a heartwarming story about the final boss grandma, "Matsuko," who puts herself in their shoes and does her best to solve requests from people in need. Matsuko is a wild character, but the drama warmly depicts how young people gradually change through their interactions with her. Her character, who appears to be outspoken and harsh, but is actually full of kindness, seems to overlap with the personality of Umezawa Tomio seen on variety shows. And as you'd expect from a female impersonator, Umezawa Tomio's acting ability is the reason he can look just like a grandma.
He also gave a great performance in the commercial for Lawson's "Karaage-kun" local flavors, which have been on the market since August and are being released in seven regions across the country. To suit each region, Umezawa Tomio transforms into an appearance that is associated with the local specialty. Each version has its own powerful lines, so be sure to compare them.
A new frontier established as a haiku master
Umezawa Tomio's talent in the haiku competition segment of "Pre-Bato!!," which has been airing since 2012, is extraordinary. The dialogue between haiku poet Natsui Itsuki and Umezawa Tomio is one of the highlights of the show, and his ability to be ranked as a permanent master is genuine.
These masterpieces have finally been published as a book titled "Haiku Collection: Ten Colors of One Person." The title was chosen by Umezawa Tomio himself, and it reflects his feelings about the new role of "haiku poet" that has been added to his life, which has seen him play many roles, including as an actor, onnagata (female impersonator), singer, and commentator.
He showed his skill by winning two consecutive titles in title matches limited to Meijin and scholarship students, and was promoted to Eternal Meijin in the episode broadcast in 2020. Now, he receives fan letters and presents from children who have become new fans of Umezawa Tomio through the program.
From a star during the heyday of popular theater to a versatile talent
Tomio Umezawa was the founder of the swordplay troupe "Umezawa Theater Company," which launched in 1939. He was the seventh of eight children born to a star actor father who sold out theaters in Asakusa and other places, and a mother with a background in Kabuki. He made his stage debut at just 1 year and 7 months old, and as a junior high school student, he danced Chiaki Naomi's "Yagiri no Watashi" at the request of his favorite manga artist, Shotaro Ishinomori. This was his first time performing a female role, and he continued to make the transition to female roles. He quickly became a star, earning him the nickname "Shitamachi no Tamasaburo." He has since supported his brother as vice-leader of the troupe.
As a singer, she appeared on the Red and White Song Battle in 1983, performing her hit song "Yume Shibai." Since the 2000s, she has been active as a commentator on variety shows and talk shows, and has also shown off her talent as a cook. Even now, she continues to demonstrate her talents in many areas, not just on the stage.
Now, Umezawa Tomio has posted on his official Instagram account promoting his appearance at the "Pre-Battle Talent Ari Exhibition Talk Show" held at Kyoto Takashimaya. "I also got a Talent Ari cushion at the merchandise counter," he reports with a smile in the image, and you can see the Grand Seiko on his wrist.
The model expressing the 24 solar terms resonates with my own sensibilities
The world of haiku poetry is filled with seasonal words. Haiku poets use these words to describe the natural landscape and the changing of the seasons within a limited number of characters. The Grand Seiko Elegance Collection includes a model that is relevant to the world of haiku. The model worn by Tomio Umezawa is the SBGJ249.
This model represents the period of "Shosho" (little heat) after the end of the rainy season, heralding the arrival of full-fledged summer. The dial pattern evokes the image of lakes and ponds shimmering in the refreshing breeze under the early summer sun, and the ceaseless ripples caused by the "Shirahae" (white south wind) that blows after the rainy season.
Of course, this watch is not just poetic, but also practical. The refreshing blue GMT hand displays the time in another time zone. The movement is the high-beat movement Cal. 9S86, which beats at 10 vph (36,000 vph) and has a power reserve of approximately 55 hours.
The craftsmanship and sensibility of haiku poets that embody the Japanese aesthetic sense
Grand Seiko's pursuit of precision is also noteworthy. The "New GS Standard," established in 1998, goes even further than the Superior Grade Swiss Chronometer Inspection Standard. While the average daily rate for a Superior Grade chronometer is -4 to +6 seconds, the New GS Standard requires a rate of -3 to +5 seconds. Movements undergo a rigorous 17-day certification test, and only those that meet the standard are shipped.
This piece was added to the Elegance Collection on May 28, 2021, a timepiece that can only be expressed by Grand Seiko, which has an atelier in Shizukuishi, a city that displays a rich variety of seasonal changes. The fact that it depicts the rippling waves caused by the warm southern wind during the period of Little Heat (July 7th to 22nd) likely resonated with the haiku poet Tomio Umezawa, who continues to hone his refined sensibilities.
What poetic sentiment must the ripples of the white southern wind engraved on this dial have had on the haiku poet's sensibility, who captures the subtleties of the seasons in 17 syllables? The Grand Seiko shining on the wrist of this eternal master must have been chosen not simply as a tool for measuring time, but as a work of art that embodies the Japanese aesthetic sense.
Automatic movement (Cal. 9S86). 37 jewels. 36,000 vph. Power reserve approximately 55 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 39.5 mm, thickness 14.1 mm). Water resistant for everyday use. Price: 957,000 yen (tax included).
