Michishige Sayumi

Michishige Sayumi (道重さゆみ) is a Japanese pop singer. She is a sixth generation member and current leader of Morning Musume as well as the leader of Hello! Project.

She became a member of Morning Musume in 2003, as a sixth generation member alongside Fujimoto Miki, Kamei Eri and Tanaka Reina.

She is well known for portraying a narcissistic image in TV shows, often calling herself the cutest member of Morning Musume. In one of the of the skits known as Hello! Morning Theatre on Hello! Morning, she played a character known as “Ichiban Kawaii” (the cutest). She created “Usa-chan Peace” (Bunny Peace), which is a phrase Michishige uses to identify herself.

Early Life
Michishige Sayumi was born on July 13, 1989 in Yamaguchi, Japan. Her father works as a researcher for the chemical company Ube Industries. She has two siblings: an older brother, who is a tax accountant, and an older sister, a part-timer. She is second cousins with Michishige Saho. It was revealed on January 29, 2014 that Buddhist Priest Michishige Shinkyo is Michishige Sayumi's ancestor from her paternal family's side.

When she was in elementary school, she won an award for aerobics. She also took piano lessons.

2003
On January 19, Michishige Sayumi passed the 6th generation auditions and joined Morning Musume, along with Kamei Eri and Tanaka Reina.

When Michishige passed the audition to join Morning Musume, Tsunku wrote in a comment about her that her singing is weak. After the audition, Michishige had taken voice lessons to improve her singing, but even she admits that her own singing is still bad.

During the spring she, along with the rest of the 6th generation members, made her first concert appearance on the Morning Musume CONCERT TOUR 2003 Haru "NON STOP!" during Yasuda Kei's graduation.

On July 30, Morning Musume's 19th single, Shabondama, was released. This was Michishige's debut single, as well as Kamei and Tanaka's.

Towards the end of 2003, Michishige began appearing in the show Revelations of M as a regular with ex-Morning Musume member Nakazawa Yuko.

2005
Since 2005, Michishige was assigned as mentor to 7th generation member Kusumi Koharu. Later, she admitted that she hated being Kusumi's mentor because Kusumi had to be taught everything. Michishige also said that she took out her frustration by plucking out her eyebrows.

2006
In October, she began hosting her own half-hour radio show “Konya mo Usa-chan Peace" on CBC Radio every Tuesday at 11:30 P.M.

2007
On June 9, 2007, Michishige began co-hosting the Young Town radio show as a result of Fujimoto Miki's Friday magazine scandal and subsequent resignation from Morning Musume.

2009
Starting 2009, Michishige appeared several times on different Japanese variety TV shows, either on her own or along with other members, usually with Yaguchi Mari. In summer 2009 she gained decent recognition in the Japanese media due to her appearing in high-rating shows like London Hearts, Downtown DX and Odoru Sanma Goten, as well as in less popular shows. Netizens have pointed out “lately Michishige has been appearing often on TV”. A TV Guide article from August 2008 praised her sharp tongue. Michishige has started using her sharp tongue since sometime ago, particularly in her radio show, where on certain episodes she comments on something from the point of view of “Good/Angel Sayumi” and “Bad/Black/Devil Sayumi”.

It was revealed on July 2009 that Michishige would form part of Zoku v-u-den along with Junjun and Sugaya Risako.

2010
In February, Michishige officially opened up a Gree blog.

In March, Yaguchi Mari, Satoda Mai, and Michishige were revealed to be regulars on the midnight TBS show Aimai na!. Michishige confirmed that she was going to be a regular on that show on her blog.

The official site for the Momusu Rokkies (Morning Musume 6th Generation) event titled "Morning Musume Presents Kamei Eri, Michishige Sayumi, Tanaka Reina Premium Summer Dinner Show" at Prince Hotel in Shinigawa was opened.

2011
It was announced that Michishige would be the voice for "Harori" for the MMO game Dragon Nest.

Along with Tanaka Reina, Michishige hosted a premium Christmas dinner show. The date was December 23 and was hosted at the Prince Hotels.

2012
On January 2, 2012, it was announced that 5th Generation member Niigaki Risa would graduate from Morning Musume and Hello! Project on May 18, 2012. As Michishige was the second oldest in Morning Musume and Hello! Project at the time, Morning Musume and Hello! Project leadership was passed down to Michishige after the graduation of Niigaki on May 19, 2012. She now the 8th Morning Musume leader and the 4th Hello! Project leader.

On January 23rd, a contest was held in Japan during a press conference to pick a new voice for Dragon Nest's Harori, an in game idol character who Michishige had previously voiced. The contest was called "God Idol! Harori Junior-Senior Battle”. The contestants were Tsugunaga Momoko, Barbie-san, and herself. The rest of the match took place online in which she came out victorious.

On October 10, Michishige opened an Ameba blog.

2013
On January 19, both Michishige and Tanaka Reina officially had spent 10 full years in Morning Musume. With the graduation announcement of Tanaka, this means that Michishige will become the last remaining sixth generation member of Morning Musume as well as the last member remaining from the "Platinum Era".

On October 12, Michishige was declared the longest serving Morning Musume member, which was previously held by Niigaki Risa. On that day, she has served a total of 3,920 days in the group (Niigaki graduated with 3,919 days served).

On October 27, Michishige released a new photobook called Blue Rose.

On November 20, Michishige's grandfather passed away. He has been in a coma since December 2012 and she has been making frequent visits to Yamaguchi Prefecture. Michishige has said in her blog that he was one of the most supportive family members and was always proud of her.

2014
On January 1, Michishige started off the new year with a total of 4000 days in Morning Musume.

On January 19th, Michishige became the first member to be part of the group for 11 years.

On March 31, it was announced Michishige will hold a fanclub bus tour for her birthday from July 12 to July 14 in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

On April 29, during the Morning Musume '14 Concert Tour Haru ~Evolution~ concert in Yamaguchi, Michishige announced her graduation from Morning Musume and Hello! Project. She is set to graduate during Morning Musume's Fall 2014 concert tour.

On June 14, Michishige, along with T.M.Revolution and w-inds, will host MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2014.

Education
When Michishige joined Morning Musume in January 2003, she was near the end of her first year of middle school. It assumed that she graduated from high school in March 2008.

Relationships
Michishige has said that she has no intentions of dating or getting married, but if she were to get married, she'd like to live separately. She doesn't intend to get a divorce, she just wants to live with her sister and her mother because it's so comfortable for her, as new people make her feel uncomfortable.

Usa-chan Peace
The phrase Usa-chan Peace (うさちゃんピース; Bunny Peace) has become a trademark of Michishige. While saying this phrase, she places her hands next to her ears and holds her index and middle fingers in V shapes to imitate rabbit ears. According to Michishige, Usa-chan Peace became her trademark pose gradually. At first she used it when taking print club photos with her sister, but after seeing how cute it looked, she started adopting it on official photoshoots and related events.

The Usa-chan Peace pose has been widely reproduced in Hello! Project productions (such as the aforementioned Bow 30° drama, in the second episode of the first series) and events, but also outside the scope of Tsunku's all-girls franchise, most notably in the 132nd Ryūnosuke Akutagawa prize award ceremony. For the commemorative photograph of the event, Kazushige Abe (阿部和重) held his hands in a manner patterned after the Usa-chan Peace sign, in a clear homage to Michishige's invention.

Profile
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 * Name: Michishige Sayumi (道重さゆみ)
 * Nicknames: Sayumin (さゆみん), Sayu (さゆ), Shige-san (シゲさん, 重さん), Oyakata (親方; Master), Shige-pinku (重ピンク), Minishige-san (みにしげさん), Shige-chan (しげちゃん), Sayu-chan (さゆちゃん), Sayusuke (さゆすけ), Shigeko (重子), Michi-san (道さん), Sayurin
 * Birthdate:
 * Birthplace: Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
 * Blood type: A
 * Height: 162cm (5'4")
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * 2003-01-19: Member
 * 2003-01-19: Morning Musume Member
 * UP-FRONT AGENCY Status:
 * 2003-01-19: Member
 * 2012-10-01: Transferred to UP-FRONT PROMOTION (as part of Morning Musume)
 * UP-FRONT PROMOTION Status:
 * 2012-10-01: Member
 * Years in Morning Musume: 11 Years
 * Morning Musume Color:
 * Yellow (2003-2006)
 * Light Pink (2006-Present)
 * Otome Gumi Color:
 * Purple (2003-2004)
 * Hello! Project Groups:
 * Morning Musume (2003-Present)
 * Morning Musume Otome Gumi (2003-2004)
 * Ecomoni (2004–2007)
 * Rainbow Pink (2006-2009)
 * Zoku v-u-den (2009-Present)
 * Muten Musume (2010)
 * Hello! Project Mobekimasu (2011-2013)
 * Hello! Project MobekisuJ (2013-Present)
 * Subgroups:Morning Musume Otome Gumi (2003–2004)
 * Concert Units:
 * Hello! Project Akagumi (2005)
 * Wonderful Hearts (2006)
 * Shuffle Units:
 * 2004: H.P. All Stars
 * Other:
 * Metro Rabbits H.P. (2006)
 * -|Q&A=
 * Hobbies: Collecting things (hair ties, stickers, collectible toys, erasers, etc.), talking.
 * Special skill: Braiding, Y-balance, math
 * Motto: Never refuse a gift
 * Favorite Word: "Thank you." (ありがと. ), "Left-right symmetry" (左右対称)
 * Favorite English Word: "Japan"
 * Favorite Color: Pink
 * Favorite Sports: Tennis
 * Favorite Artists: BeForU
 * Inspirational People: Ogura Yuko (Michishige has stated she thinks Yuko looks like herself)
 * Favorite Movie: Titanic, Celeb to Binbo Taro
 * Favorite Flowers: Red freesias
 * Favorite Animal: Cats (Retitled to Hello!Kitty)
 * Favorite Season: Summer, winter
 * Favorite Food: Mentaiko spaghetti, chocolate
 * Disliked Food: Avocado, milk
 * Favorite Manga: Bokura ga Ita, Angel Lip, Sugar Sugar Rune, Paradise Kiss, and Detective Conan.
 * Favorite Song: Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~, KI·SE·KI
 * Favorite Song in the Past: White Love, "Ai no Shirushi" by PUFFY, "Hidamari no Uta" by Le Couple
 * Current Favorite Song: Samui ne., Zutto Zutto Tomodachi, Follow Me

Discography

 * See Also: Michishige Sayumi Discography Featured in

Solo DVDs

 * [2007.07.18] 17 ~Love Hello! Michishige Sayumi DVD~
 * [2008.10.01] LOVE STORY
 * [2009.07.22] 20's time.
 * [2010.04.28] Sayu
 * [2011.03.30] homey  (“e-Hello!” DVD)
 * [2013.11.26] Morning Days Happy Holiday ~Michishige Sayumi Birthday Fan Club Tour in Ibaraki~ (Fanclub DVD)

Solo Songs

 * [2004.09.14] Senkou Hanabi (せんこう花火; Toy Fireworks)  (Morning Musume cover)
 * [2009.03.18] It's You
 * [2012.09.12] Lalala no Pipipi (ラララのピピピ; The Pipipi of Lalala)
 * [2013.09.25] Aruiteru (Updated) (歩いてる) (Morning Musume cover)

Photobooks

 * See also: Michishige Sayumi Photobooks &amp; Magazines

Solo Photobooks

 * [2004.10.29] Michishige Sayumi (道重さゆみ)
 * [2007.01.13] Doukei (憧憬)
 * [2007.06.30] 17 Love Hello! Michishige Sayumi (17ラブハロ! 道重さゆみ)
 * [2007.12.09] Sousou (蒼蒼)
 * [2008.09.25] LOVE LETTER
 * [2009.07.11] 20sai 7gatsu 13nichi (20歳7月13日)
 * [2010.04.26] Lā
 * [2011.10.27] Sayuminglandoll
 * [2013.01.25] Mille-feuille (美ルフィーユ)
 * [2013.10.27] Blue Rose
 * [2014.07.13] TBA

Film

 * [2003] Hoshizuna no Shima, Watashi no Shima ~Island Dreamin'~ (星砂の島、私の島 ~アイランド・ドリーミン~)
 * [2005] Tatakae!! Cyborg Shibata San (闘え!! サイボーグしばた3)
 * [2011] Keitai Deka THE MOVIE 3 Morning Musume Kyuushutsu Daisakusen! ~Pandora no Hako no Himitsu (ケータイ刑事　THE　MOVIE3　モーニング娘. 救出大作戦！～パンドラの箱の秘密)

Internet
Net Programs Net Dramas
 * [2005] Dai 10 Kai Hello Pro Video Chat  (第10回ハロプロビデオチャット)
 * [2006] Hello Pro Hour  (ハロプロアワー)  (4 episodes)
 * [2006] Aozora Shower  (青空シャワー)
 * [2011] Michishige Sayumi no "Mobekimasutte Nani??"  (道重さゆみの『モベキマスってなに？？』)
 * [2013] Hello! Project Station  (ハロ！ステ)
 * [2006] Ojigi 30 Do   (おじぎ30度)  (as Chii Ruruka)
 * [2011] Kare wa, Imouto no Koibito  (彼は、妹の恋人)

TV Shows

 * [2003–2007] Hello! Morning (ハロー! モーニング)
 * [2003] Soreyuke! Gorokkies (それゆけ!ゴロッキーズ)
 * [2004] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
 * [2007–2008] Haromoni@ (ハロモニ@)
 * [2008] Berikyuu! (ベリキュー!)
 * [2008–2009] Yorosen! (よろセン!)
 * [2009–2010] Bijou Houdan (美女放談)
 * [2010–2011] Aimai na! (あいまいナ!)
 * [2010–2011] Bijo Gaku (美女学)
 * [2011] Zaki Kami! ~Zakiyama-san to Yukai na Nakamatachi~
 * [2011–2012] Hello Pro! TIME (ハロプロ！ＴＩＭＥ)
 * [2011] Ikinari Ougon Densetsu (いきなり黄金伝説) (In 10,000 Yen Challenge)
 * [2012-2013] Hello! SATOYAMA Life (ハロー! SATOYAMA ライフ)
 * [2014-] The Girls Live

TV Drama

 * [2010] Hanbun Esper (半分エスパー)
 * [2012] Suugaku♥Joshi Gakuen (数学♥女子学園)

Commercials

 * [2013] Dragon Nest

Theater

 * [2006] Ribbon no Kishi The Musical (リボンの騎士 ザ・ミュージカル)
 * [2008] Cinderella the Musical (シンデレラ The ミュージカル)
 * [2009] Ojigi de Shape Up! (おじぎでシェイプアップ!)
 * [2010] Fashionable (ファッショナブル)
 * [2011] Real-etude Minna no Ie Girl's STAGE (リアルエチュード みんなの家 Girl's STAGE)
 * [2012] Idol Nihonryuu ~Onna Nichibu~  (アイドル日本流～おんな日舞～)

Radio

 * [2006–] Konya mo Usa-chan Peace (今夜もうさちゃんピース)
 * [2007–] Young Town (ヤングタウン)

Rankings

 * She ranked #51 in CDTV's 2004 "Which artist do you want as your girlfriend/lover?" poll.
 * She ranked #54 in CDTV's 2005 "Who you wanted to have as your Valentine" poll.
 * She was voted 5th favorite member in the 2008 "Hello! Project Music Awards" event.
 * She was voted 8th favorite member in the 2009 "Hello! Project Music Awards event.
 * She ranked #5 in the TV show Prime Minister Ōta's 2010 "Most hated celebrities by women".
 * She ranked #2 in Nikkei Entertainment magazine's 2010 "Most HATED female entertainers".
 * She ranked #9 in Shukan Bunshun magazine's 2010 "female celebrities most hated by women".
 * She ranked #13 in goo's 2010 "Most promising new adults".
 * She ranked #2 in "Girls Other Girls Love to Hate 2010".
 * She ranked #18 in CDTV's 2010 "Which artist do you want as your sweetheart?" poll.
 * She ranked #85 in ENTAME magazine's "Most Influential female Idols of 2010".
 * She was voted 8th favorite member in the 2010 "Hello! Project Music Awards" event.
 * She ranked #11 in Shukan Bunshun magazine's 2011 "Female Celebs Most Disliked by Other Women".
 * She ranked #14 on BUBKA magazine's most hated women of 2011.
 * She was voted 3rd favorite member in the 2011 "Hello! Project Music Awards" event.
 * She was voted 2nd favorite member in the 2012 "Hello! Project Music Awards" event.
 * She ranked at #26 in Anikan R Yanyan magazine's May 2013 "Singing idol you like the most".
 * She ranked 2nd in mixi's June 2013 Hello! Project Popularity Ranking.
 * She ranked #18 in All Night Nippon Listener's 2013 Overall Female Idol Ranking.
 * She ranked 5th in Nippon Cultural Broadcasting recommendation's 2013 "Female Idol Faces General Election".
 * She ranked #3 in Ichiban song show's 2013 "Top 5 artists from Yamaguchi Prefecture" ranking.
 * She ranked at #23 in Anikan R Yanyan magazine's September 2013 "Singing idol you like the most".
 * She ranked at #29 in Anikan R Yanyan magazine's October 2013 "Singing idol you like the most".
 * She was voted 2nd favorite member in the 2013 "Hello! Project Music Awards" event.
 * She ranked #18 in Nikkei Entertainment magazine's 2014 "Talent Power Ranking".
 * She ranked at #8 in Recomen!'s 2nd annual "Female idol face" election.

Trivia

 * She has a strong bond with her older sister.
 * She is the longest running Morning Musume member with a total of 11 years.
 * She is a fan of AKB48, Perfume, Idoling!!!, and BeForU.
 * She became close friends with Kamei Eri during their training camp.
 * She is noted for not having changed her hair in terms of color since she joined, since she considers her natural black hair as her charm point.
 * Prior to joining Morning Musume, she most admired Takahashi Ai and Ishikawa Rika.
 * She is known to be the most narcissistic member.
 * She is named after Horie Sayumi.
 * She is well known for trying to kiss the other members during concerts, especially Takahashi Ai.
 * She calls Ikuta Erina her rival.
 * In Yorosen!, she taught ℃-ute about railroads. Michishige revealed she is a Rail-Ota (combination of Railroad and Otaku) and her favorite train is the Blue Train.
 * When asked who she would be if she could be another Hello! Project member, she said Suzuki Airi with the comment "to have that good feeling, singing songs with charm, just like her!"
 * When asked what point of her makeup she is most particular about she replied curling her lashes and keeping her cheeks pink.
 * When Niigaki Risa became the leader of Morning Musume and Hello! Project, Michishige was supposed to be the 7th sub-leader of Morning Musume, but there were discussions about the situation. Michishige is older than fellow sixth generation member Tanaka Reina, but Tsunku and fans said Tanaka would be better fitting the sub-leader title. Tsunku knew there would come discussions about this, so he decided there would be no sub-leader at that time. Neither Michishige or Tanaka were the sub-leader, and the sub-leader position was not taken again until Tanaka's graduation.
 * It was revealed by Tsunku in Music Fighter that her singing skill is below average and that she was chosen for her unknown charm point at that time. However, she does want to sing and asked Tsunku to give her more singing parts.
 * At a live performance of the song "Shabondama" in 2003, she accidently tossed her microphone on the stage.
 * She is the only remaining current Morning Musume member who joined when a First, Second and Fourth Generation member was still in the group.
 * Since she became leader, Tsunku has shown his appreciation towards Michishige by saying how reliable she has become and how her singing has improved vastly since becoming leader.
 * She is allergic to cats, however, she one day wants to own one, and she often blogs pictures with her sisters cats.
 * Her favorite word in English is "Japan."
 * She has mentioned that her favorite Hello! Pro Kenshuusei member is Makino Maria.
 * She is featured in the most Morning Musume singles (38+).
 * She has multiple fans in show business (outside Hello! Project), including Ichikawa Miori, Kojima Haruna, Yanagihara Kanoko, Furusaki Hitomi, Sasazaki Mami and Sakaguchi Anri.
 * She will be the last to graduate of her generation.
 * She is the only leader to have never been sub-leader.
 * In a poll taken by J-melo, she was voted the most popular member of Morning Musume in foreign countries.