Naoki Matayoshi, a member of the comedy duo "Peace" and author, appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi), which aired on February 24th. He talked about his partner Yuji Ayabe's recent situation, the current state of his 110-tatami living room, and his mother's unconventional approach.
His partner, Ayabe, lives in the US. "I went to America wanting to be a Hollywood star, but I have no idea how he's living now," he said. He's been in the US for nine years, and "seems like he can speak English quite well for everyday conversation." He's married to a Japanese woman. "When Kuroyanagi went to New York, she had her picture taken on Fifth Avenue wearing a kimono," he said. "Ayabe saw that and said he wanted to take a photo on Fifth Avenue wearing a kimono as well, so he apparently bought one and went, but he said he didn't know how to tie the obi, so he hasn't been able to take a photo yet."
Previously, his room didn't have a bath, but the living room in his current home is 110 tatami mats in size. "Before I moved into my current house, I lived with two junior colleagues and the other three of us. I then moved into my current room, and I had planned for junior colleagues and other people to come over, so I thought it would be better to have a larger living room, but no one comes over," "I had about 20 glasses, but I got rid of about half of them a few years ago," and "I have plenty of chairs, so I take turns sitting in a different one every day."
His 75-year-old mother lives in Osaka. "She has a unique sensibility, and often says unexpected things." He had no opportunities to appear on television until he was 30, but his mother supported him without pressuring him. When he finally started appearing on television, he received a phone call and said, "Mom is really bad at speaking in front of people. I'm sure Naoki is bad at it too. I think it must be hard for you to speak in front of so many people, so come back home as we have enough savings to support you alone." He added, "Isn't it usually the other way around?" and, "I think it's really interesting that she's not so bound by common sense."
