From 'Samidare' to 'Shamikawa': Snow Man's Tatsuya Fukasawa Sparks Laughter and Trends on 'Lavitt!'

On the October 27 broadcast of the TBS information program 'Lavitt!', Snow Man member Tatsuya Fukasawa's unusual answer, 'Shamikawa,' immediately became a major topic on social media, entering the trend words. Viewers reacted with an outpouring of laughter and warm comments to Fukasawa's unexpected misspelling, as he made a sudden appearance filling in for fellow member Daisuke Sakuma, who was absent due to poor health.

'Shamikawa' originated when Fukasawa mistakenly wrote it during the program instead of 'samidare' (early summer rain). This unique misspelling drew humorous comments from co-stars; for instance, host Akira Kawashima quipped, 'If there was a restaurant with a name like that, I'd definitely go!' filling the studio with laughter. Comedian Kazuya Yamazoe further amplified the word, declaring, 'If I were reborn, I'd want this surname #Shamikawa,' fueling its rapid spread on social media.

On X (formerly Twitter), comments like 'Shamikawa is slowly growing on me,' 'I love Fukkasan for writing Shamikawa instead of samidare,' and 'I laughed all morning' poured in, at one point ranking high in trends. Nicknames such as 'Fukasawa Shamikawa Tatsuya' also emerged, indicating the immense public reaction.

Despite being a last-minute substitute, Fukasawa enlivened the program, earning numerous appreciative comments like 'So dependable for stepping in as a pinch hitter!' and 'Great save!' Meanwhile, many viewers are eagerly anticipating a 'grilling' from Sakuma once he recovers, hoping he'll ask Fukasawa for 'a detailed account regarding Shamikawa' and 'a “voluntary” explanation about Shamikawa while the memory is fresh,' indicating significant interest in future developments.

The word 'Shamikawa,' born in an unexpected way, is likely to remain in the memories of many viewers as an event symbolizing Fukasawa's character and the program's lighthearted atmosphere.

The context

Snow Man is a hugely popular nine-member Japanese idol group formed by Johnny & Associates (now SMILE-UP./STARTO ENTERTAINMENT). Tatsuya Fukasawa, often affectionately called 'Fukka,' and Daisuke Sakuma are both prominent members of the group. 'Lavitt!' (ラヴィット！) is a daily morning information program on TBS known for its lighthearted segments, comedic interactions, and focus on lifestyle and entertainment rather than hard news. The show frequently features popular celebrities, including idols and comedians, in a relaxed, variety-show format. The word 'samidare' (さみだれ) refers to the early summer rain, typically associated with Japan's rainy season. Fukasawa's misspelling of 'samidare' as 'shamikawa' (三味川) was humorous because 'shamikawa' is a nonsensical word that coincidentally combines elements like 'shamisen' (a traditional Japanese instrument) and 'kawa' (river), creating an amusingly bizarre term within the context of the show.