Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛) (placeholder)

This young woman first cast a spell on me when I came across a song called “Daisuki dai yo”. The video tape so moved me to tears and her voice was incredible.

I knew that of all the Jpop groups and singers, this woman would forever be etched deep into my heart. Today my Ipod has aproximently 800 plus Jpop and Asian popular songs, but the ones I cherish the most come from this little lady. To later see her preform as an actress in the Japanese dorama called “Tokyo Friends” I knew that she was going to become a Superstar. After all here was a woman, who not only played piano, guitar, sang, wrote her own songs, painted, Drew cartoons, could act and hosted her own radio show …she was Multitalented indeed.

Born in Osaka, she learned the piano at 9 years old and was
already starting to write her own songs based on her life. Recently she has packed concert halls and some so large, the venue had to be held outside…to tens of thousands.

I always thought if she ever were to learn English and cross “the pond” to the USA she would become an instant sucesss as she has in Japan. Imagine…that once she said that if her music career were ever to fail, she was qualified to become a Kindergaarten teacher and no doubt the kids would love her. But, its never going to happen because like the Superstars of Japan, she still has as few peaks to climb…to be in that speical class. She will make it…and whether or not she comes to the United States will be up to her…but she has to know, with Jpop becoming popular here, through anime..its only a matter of time she will get her shot.

Some day soon, Japan will make an impact in the American and European markets, and be advised, when that happens, this young lady will be sitting in the front row off those to break into the big time…and gather a following far more than most of her peers in buisness. Mark my words. She is fantastic talent.

Its hard enough trying to get a celebrity autograph, but what if your favorite celebrity is in an entirely different country? I am head over heals in love with Otsuka Ai, as a singer and actress, artist… and I collect many famous autographs…but would I ever hope to get an autographed photo of Otsuka Ai?

I never thought I had a chance, because I wrote to her record label company, and to various places hoping to score an autographed photo. In fact, while watching a program in Japan via a internet program, they were giving away signed items by her…and it was a contest. Figure a billion to one to win one. And no..there was no way to communicate with them, so even if I could, I would be just another number standing in line with hopes of winning my “holy grail”.

Leave it to EBAY… I had been looking for her name on Ebay for a long time. Nothing..not one little item. Then one day, I came across a PuffyAmiYumi Autograph for sale…and being a fan of theirs as well, I bid for it and won. In writing to the gentleman who sold this item, who was over in Japan, I told him that this was a great find, but my heart was set on finding an Otsuka Ai…and OMFG…he wrote back saying he had one…or access to one. He told me he would have to bid for it, and then resell it to me. At first I though, OMG..this is going to cost me..mucho dinero!! A ton of Yen…Lots of Bucks… But son of a gun, not only did he win the bid, but sold it to me for around 50 dollars. I thought, are you kidding me?? Do you know how long and how hard its been trying to find this? I would have paid him a Thousand dollars had he asked me for it…but 50 dollars???

Not more than 3 days after the purchase took place my little prize arrived along with the Puffy Ami Yumi Autograph.

I am going to Japan next year…and I may stop by and personally thank him, but in the mean time, if Otsuka Ai ever has a concert in Japan while I am there…I will be going.

But…it just proves that sometimes even the impossible can happen. I love this piece..and I would have traded any of the pieces I have to get this. Now…to meet her…would be heaven. I hope my Japanese will be good enough to honor her if I did. Well who knows…now that I know anything is possible.