Ten Yamasaki

Ten Yamasaki (山﨑 天, Yamasaki Ten, born 28 September, 2005) is a Japanese idol, model and actress. She is a member of the idol group Sakurazaka46 (Keyakizaka46) and an exclusive model for the fashion magazine ViVi. She has played the lead role in the short film A Train of Memories and a supporting role in the television drama Kokoro no Fufufu. Her nickname is Ten-chan (天ちゃん).

Yamasaki is referred to as "the ace of Sakurazaka46" and "the symbol of Sakurazaka46." The number of songs in which she has taken the center position in Sakurazaka46 is the highest in the group's history. She is the youngest member in the history of Keyakizaka46. Yamasaki is the one who named the fans of Sakurazaka46 "Buddies."

She has appeared in numerous fashion events and served as a model for fashion brands. She has also starred in various commercials.

Early life

Yamasaki was born on September 28, 2005 in Osaka, Japan. She has two younger sisters, one is two years younger and the other is nine years younger.

Her given name, "Ten (天)," has various origins. One reason is her parents' wish for her to reach the top in something, no matter what it is. Another reason is that "Ten (天)" is easy for foreigners to remember, as it corresponds to the word "ten" in English.

When she was young, she struggled with being the center of attention. She did not really like herself, and wanted to change. During her elementary school graduation ceremony, Yamasaki declared her determination to decide on her future dream while in junior high school and to work hard toward that dream. In the summer of her first year of junior high school, she applied for the audition with the desire to become someone who can meet and exceed expectations.

Career

On August 19, 2018, Yamasaki passed "Sakamichi Series New Member Audition." On November 29, it was announced that she joined Keyakizaka46 as a second generation member. On December 5, her profile was posted on Keyakizaka46's official website. On December 10, Yamasaki appeared in Keyakizaka46 Second Members / Hiragana Keyakizaka46 Third Members "Showcase" held at Nippon Budokan. There, she declared, "'Ten' in Ten Yamasaki stands for the 'top.' I will lead Keyakizaka46 to the top of the idol world."

Yamasaki served as the center for the first time in her original position for the songs "Hanshinhangi" and "Buddies" from Sakurazaka46's 1st single "Nobody's Fault," released on December 9, 2020.

She served as the center for the songs "Sore ga Ai Nano ne" and "Omotta Yori Mo Sabishikunai" from Sakurazaka46's 2nd single "BAN," relesed on April 14, 2021. Starting from the May 14 issue of the Yomiuri Chūkōsei Shimbun, she took charge of the second week of the serialized column "Yroom." On July 9, during the Sakurazaka46 live performance W-KEYAKI FES. 2021 held at Fuji-Q Highland Conifer Forest, Yamasaki named the fans of Sakurazaka46 "Buddies." From then on, Buddies came to be referred to as the official fan name for Sakurazaka46.

Yamasaki served as the center for a title track for the first time in Sakurazaka46's 4th single "Samidare yo," released on April 6, 2022." She also served as the center for the song "Koi ga Zetsumetsu Suru Hi," from the same single. She served as the center for the lead track "Masatsukeisū," in Sakurazaka46's 1st studio album As you know? released on August 3. Yamasaki also served as the center for the song "Jōken Hansha de Nakete Kuru," from the same studio album.

She served as the center for the songs "Bokutachi no La vie en rose" from Sakurazaka46's 7th single "Shōnin Yokkyū," released on October 18, 2023.

She made her first appearance on THE FIRST TAKE, released on January 10, 2024, and performed a solo rendition of the song "Samidare yo," in which she served as the center. Yamasaki served as the center for the title track in Sakurazaka46's 8th single "Ikutsu no Koro ni Modoritai no ka?" released on February 21. She also served as the center for the song "Nakasete Hold me tight!" from the same single.

On February 29, 2020, Yamasaki made her runway debut as a model at 30th Mynavi TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION 2020 SPRING/SUMMER held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium first Gymnasium.

On April 25, 2021, it was announced at the YouTube live event ViVi Fes LIVE 2021 Spring that Yamasaki would become an exclusive model for the fashion magazine ViVi. She appeared in the magazine as an exclusive model starting from the September 2021 issue of ViVi, released on July 20. Yamasaki's first solo series in ViVi titled "New World (新天地, Shintenchi)" began in the January 2022 issue of ViVi, released on November 22.

On April 4, 2022, she was appointed as the Japan brand ambassador for L'Oréal Paris' "Extraordinary Oil Airy Silk." Yamasaki served as the first solo cover model for ViVi in the September 2022 issue, released on July 23. On September 12, she was appointed as a model for the fashion brand GU. Yamasaki's solo series "TEN-CORE (テンコア)" began in the December 2023 issue of ViVi, released on October 23.

On February 22, 2024, she received Sneaker Best Dresser Award. On April 3, Yamasaki was appointed as the key visual model for the collaboration collection between the fashion brand WIND AND SEA and NBA. On August 11, she was appointed as the model for the collaboration collection between the fashion brand CLOT and adidas Originals.

On August 15, Yamasaki made her drama debut in the television drama Kokoro no Fufufu [ja]. She appeared in this drama after passing the audition.

She appeared as the heroine in the short film Akogare, which began screening on September 22, 2022.

She starred in the Universal Studios Japan commercial that began airing on January 26, 2023. Yamasaki starred in the short film A Train of Memories, which was released on March 16. This short film won awards at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2023, 2024 Clio Awards, The One Show 2024, New York Festivals Advertising Awards 2023, MAD STARS 2023, CICLOPE Festival 2023, Epica Awards 2023, 2023 One Asia Creative Awards, 2024 Clio Music Awards, ADFEST 2024, Spikes Asia 2024, 76th Dentsu Advertising Awards, 63rd ACC Tokyo Creativity Awards 2023, 61st JAA Advertising Awards, 61st Galaxy Awards, and 103rd ADC Annual Awards. Yamasaki starred in the SUNTORY commercial for "SUNTORY Tennensui Fiber 8000," which was released on April 18. She starred in the Tokyo Gas Network commercial that began airing on September 2.

Yamasaki starred in the music video for imase's song "Koigoromo," released on February 5, 2024. She appeared in the commercial for Alinamin Pharmaceutical's "Benza Block Premium," which started airing on October 3.

On September 11, 2024, Yamasaki launched her official Instagram account.

Fashion

Yamasaki often wears T-shirts, pants, sneakers, and accessories like rings. The fashion items she often wears include vivid-colored pieces, vintage clothing, Nike sneakers, denim pants, and men's items. Her preferred fashion styles are autumn and winter looks, and denim coordination. Her favorite colors are white, black, wine red, blue, and pink, though they often change. When it comes to denim pants, Yamasaki often chooses relaxed straight-leg styles or colored denim. She often wears knitwear with a relaxed silhouette or in vibrant colors. For shoes, she often opts for flat styles like sneakers. She likes gyaru culture.

Yamasaki has good eyesight, so she does not wear glasses regularly, but she enjoys wearing glasses gifted by her grandparents as fashion accessories. She mainly buys outerwear at vintage shops, while she often purchases pants from apparel brands. She sometimes wears hand-me-downs from her great-grandmother.

During dance lessons, Yamasaki wears a T-shirt, loose-fitting pants, and sneakers, changing her sneakers daily to match her outfit. In her private life, she often wears flashy outfits, including unique-shaped hats. At bedtime, she wears a T-shirt and sweatpants or shorts.

Yamasaki changes her hairstyle each time based on the concept, direction, coordination, costume, location, song, and dance style. She has never dyed her hair, and her long black hair is one of her charm points. In the early stages of her career, Yamasaki maintained a ponytail hairstyle to make it easier for viewers of television programs to remember her, which led to the ponytail being referred to as her "trademark" or "symbol." Her hair care routine includes lightly towel-drying her hair after a bath and immediately drying it with a hairdryer, using warm air first and then finishing with cool air. On her days off from work, she avoids using a straightener or curling iron to give her hair a break.

During modeling shoots, Yamasaki takes advantage of opportunities to take photos with a camera and check her reflection in mirrors during dance lessons. By considering factors such as camera angles and lighting, she objectively assesses and chooses how she wants to present herself. She poses by leveraging her core strength developed through dance and other activities. She likes striking interesting poses. Before starting her modeling career, Yamasaki primarily wore simple outfits centered around black and white monochrome styles and never wore skirts. However, since becoming a model, she has begun to embrace colorful outfits, experiment with new hairstyles and makeup, and now occasionally wears skirts as well. She places a strong emphasis on sleep, meal, and bathing.

In idol groups

Yamasaki is a second generation member of Sakurazaka46 (Keyakizaka46). She is the youngest member in the history of Keyakizaka46. She was the youngest member in the history of Sakamichi Series at the time of her joining.

Yamasaki is referred to as "the ace of Sakurazaka46," "the symbol of Sakurazaka46" and "the absolute center of Sakurazaka46". The number of songs in which she has taken the center position in Sakurazaka46 is the highest in the group's history. She leads live performances with her overwhelming dance skills and strong singing voice. She also plays a central role in variety shows, including the group's flagship program Soko Magattara, Sakurazaka? Staff and members often mention how significant her presence is. Yamasaki is an influential figure who impacts the entire group. She is the one who named the fans of Sakurazaka46 "Buddies."

Her penlight colors are white and green. Her favorite Sakurazaka46 (Keyakizaka46) live performances are all of them. Her close friends within the group are everyone. She is called "Ten-sama (天様)" by the junior members of Sakurazaka46. In the dressing room and during rehearsals, Yamasaki passionately sings solo and dances to energize the group. She excels at shouting loudly and pronouncing English, often representing the group by calling out or giving speeches at concerts, variety shows, and work events.

When Yamasaki was in elementary school, she first discovered Keyakizaka46 through the music video for "Silent Majority." At first, she found the visuals to be scary and not typical of idols, but she began to feel their charm with "Kaze ni Fukarete mo." Listening to the songs again changed her impression, and in sixth grade, she became obsessed with them after hearing "Fukyōwaon." She was able to understand the meaning of the lyrics in her own way, and after realizing their charm, she fell in love with Keyakizaka46. The first CD she ever bought was "Kaze ni Fukarete mo." For her elementary school graduation ceremony, Yamasaki attended in a black pantsuit inspired by the costumes from "Kaze ni Fukarete mo."

In the summer of her first year of junior high school, she came across a commercial while looking at her smartphone, which was her first introduction to "Sakamichi Series New Member Audition." Her entry number in this audition was 71. In the audition, she sang "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai." On December 10, 2018, during Keyakizaka46 Second Members / Hiragana Keyakizaka46 Third Members "Showcase" held at the Nippon Budokan, Yamasaki declared, "'Ten' in Ten Yamasaki stands for the 'top.' I will lead Keyakizaka46 to the top of the idol world."

Regarding the name change from Keyakizaka46 to Sakurazaka46, she expressed, "I was more positive than anyone else," "I'm glad it turned out this way," "I was really happy," "I was super excited," "The feeling of anticipation was much greater," and "I was simply filled with excitement." Yamasaki is the only member who consistently took a supportive stance throughout this name change. The cheer for Sakurazaka46's circle chant was decided based on her suggestion. In the interlude of the song "Buddies," in which Yamasaki serves as the center, it has become a tradition for her to convey a message to the audience, staff, and members. She adapts her words to fit the length of the interlude, delivering different messages at each performance. In the music video for the song "Omotta Yori Mo Sabishikunai," in which she serves as the center, footage shot by her using an 8mm video camera is featured, showcasing her involvement in the production as a cinematographer. In the solo dance part of the song "Ikutsu no Koro ni Modoritai no ka?" in which she serves as the center, she creates and showcases different choreography each time.

On July 9, 2021, during the Sakurazaka46 live performance W-KEYAKI FES. 2021 held at Fuji-Q Highland Conifer Forest, Yamasaki named the fans of Sakurazaka46 "Buddies." From then on, Buddies came to be referred to as the official fan name for Sakurazaka46.

Personal life

Yamasaki's signature is designed with the character "てん (Ten)" from her name and the directional symbol. In addition to her signature, she draws illustrations of her original character, a turtle.

Her motto is, "Things can be interpreted positively." Yamasaki likes to make people laugh. The works that influenced her are Spirited Away, High School Musical, and Crayon Shin-chan. The characters that influenced her are Spider-Man, Sharpay Evans from High School Musical, and Barbie.

Her hobbies include taking photos with a camera, listening to music, drawing, cooking, swimming, playing with clay, walking, and watching sports. Yamasaki has named her photographs "Ten-Cam (てんカメ, Ten-Kame)" and features them on her official blog and in magazines. She draws eyes and things that do not exist in reality. On her days off, she spends time at home watching movies, TV shows, and dramas, reading books, listening to music, or visiting vintage clothing shops. She prefers hot springs, public baths, and saunas.

Her special skills include kendama, neck isolation dance, loud shouting, English pronunciation, complimenting people, mimicking animal sounds, goldfish scooping, caring for babies, treasure hunting, and playing hide-and-seek. Yamasaki has good eyesight and a strong core. She attended an English conversation class from the age of 2 to 6. When she was in elementary school, she took lessons in landscape painting, and she was a member of the table tennis club. In junior high school, she joined the girls' softball team and aimed to be a pitcher.

Filmography

Commercials and advertisements

Events

Discography

Videography

Bibliography

• ViVi, Kodansha 1983-, as an exclusive model since July 2021 (September 2021 Issue)
  • "New World (新天地, Shintenchi)," as a solo series from November 2021 (January 2022 Issue) to August 2023 (October 2023 Issue)
  • "TEN-CORE (テンコア)," as a solo series since October 2023 (December 2023 Issue)

• Yomiuri Chūkōsei Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo Headquarter 2014-, in charge of the second week of the serialized column "Yroom" from May 2021 to March 2022