The following is a translation of a Japanese article. Link here.

The Reason Why Matsumoto Hitoshi Wants “To Die Before Hamada”

July 25, 2011

NHK’s documentary “Professional: The Way of Work” followed Matsumoto Hitoshi of Downtown long-term for behind-the-scenes coverage of him. The program was aired in October of last year and was the talk of the town, but since Matsumoto was covered for six months, the footage that was aired was only a small part.

However, on June 29th, “Matsumoto Hitoshi: The Way of Work” (Yoshimoto Books), which takes the best of the content that was not aired and puts it into one book, went on sale. In the book is a surprising statement by Matsumoto that was not uttered in the television program.

“When the time comes, how would you want to die?”

As Matsumoto reaches his late forties, he says he has been asked this question more frequently. He jokes that since he has already left descendants by having a daughter, “I can die at any time.” But he also discloses, “I wanna die before my duo partner, Hamada.”

The reason, he says, is that Hamada’s eulogy of him would definitely be “funnier” than his eulogy of Hamada. According to Matsumoto, Hamada supposedly needs to tearfully apologize to him for many things. On the other hand, he says his eulogy of Hamada would be unbearably “boring.”

“A comedy duo is a strange relationship,” says Matsumoto. For example, on Friday you might be filled with hate, thinking “I’ll kill you!” But on Saturday you will often realize, “Well, that might actually be good.” But then the next day you rethink it and go, “Why did I think that yesterday?” He says that this happens over and over.

While the two have this strange relationship, Matsumoto states deliberately at the end of the book that, “Hamada would be the one to read my eulogy.” He adds, “For that to happen, I need him to live a long life, as much as possible.”

Though he was asked about his own death, his duo partner’s name is what comes up. Perhaps this is indicative of Matsumoto’s character.

