Uta Akari 2024] Lecture by Setsuo Yazaki, Director of the Kaneko Misuzu Memorial Museum

The Universality of Misuzu Kaneko's Works

Today (January 27, 2024 [Sat]), a lecture by Mr. Setsuo Yazaki, Director of the Kaneko Misuzu Memorial Museum, was held at Onyu, a stopover hot spring in Nagato Onsen. This is a special program held as part of the "Onshinagawa Utaakari 2024 " hot spring resort lighting event, which will be held until March 3 (Sun.). This is the second time this event has been held, following last year.

Utaakari" is illuminated in the motif of the works of Misuzu Kaneko, a children's song poet from Nagato City. To enjoy this event even more, visitors can listen to a talk by Director Yazaki himself, who discovered her works and popularized them to the world.

In this lecture, he talked about the "universality" of Misuzu's works, taking up several poems.

Director Setsuo Yazaki giving a lecture

One of the most impressive stories was a passage from one of the most popular works, "Me, a Little Bird, a Bell and a Little Bird," which says, "Everyone is different and everyone is good. Director Yazaki said, "If you only look at the words in the context of modern values, it could be taken to mean, 'Everyone is different, so it's up to you and I.' However, what is implied in these words is that 'Everyone is different, so it's up to you and me. However, what these words mean is, "Just by being you, just by being born, you get a perfect score of 100. I hope you will change your self-centered view and receive that thought.

There was also a discussion with Shiho Nagamachi (LEM Space Studio), the lighting designer for "Uta Akari," who was also present at the lecture, about the world of poetry and the design and direction of lighting.

The lecture was an opportunity to learn about the works and Ms. Misuzu's thoughts and perspectives, and to enjoy "Utaakari" more deeply.

Related Links

Otonoshin River Utaakari 2024