[Singer-songwriter Rie Sawai] is currently holding her nationwide concert tour, "RIE SAWAI Summer Tour 2023".
Singer-songwriter Rie Sawai kicked off her "RIE SAWAI Summer Tour 2023" on July 20th, visiting seven locations across Japan, starting in Kannai, Yokohama. As a vocalist who writes and composes her own songs, Sawai has also served as a backing vocalist for numerous artists, including Kohmi Hirose. In addition, she is a vocal trainer, a certified care worker, and a finalist in a beauty pageant. This time, we asked her about everything from how she started her music career to the present day, as well as her ongoing concert tour.
—Could you tell us about your recent activities, Ms. Sawai?
I am a singer-songwriter, and I also work as a voice trainer and certified care worker, mainly in Yokohama and Tokyo. I have also participated in beauty pageants such as Miss Japan Premium 2022 and Global Unity Japan 2023.
—So, not just your singing voice, but also in caregiving and beauty competitions? I'm interested in all of those, but what was theきっかけ (trigger/reason) for you becoming a singer-songwriter in the first place?
I've been exposed to classical music since I was a child, and I strongly felt that I couldn't live without music. However, the world of classical music is so vast that I couldn't decide what I wanted to do within it.
When I was about 18, I saw Kohmi Hirose on TV. I was so moved by her beautiful melodies and lyrics, her singing, and her overwhelming voice that I instinctively thought, "Ah, this is the world I've been looking for." I immediately bought one of Hirose's CDs, and when I opened the case, there was an application form for the Kohmi Hirose Music School. I called that same day and started attending the following week.
—That's incredible initiative.
Amidst the rigorous lessons, there was a special audition held once a year within the school, and those who passed would have the right to receive direct lessons from Ms. Hirose. Fortunately, I passed, and for about three years afterward, I was able to learn the Kohmi Hirose method, "vocalization using the body," directly from her. Even so, the thought grew that I couldn't become a professional if I continued like this, and I realized I had to take action myself, so I told Ms. Hirose, "I'm going to graduate from school and train so that I can work as a singer in the field."
I still remember how Ms. Hirose kindly sent me off with the words, "I'll always be supporting you, so contact me anytime if you need anything." It's hard to believe now, considering who I was back then, that I'm working with Kohmi Hirose, who inspired me to become a singer, but I'm truly grateful.
—So, Ms. Hirose's words were encouraging for you. What did you actually do after graduating from music school?
I found an advertisement for a singer/waitress at "Heart & Soul," a live music restaurant and bar in Kannai that mainly plays Western music. I wore the restaurant's uniform and worked from 8 PM to 5 AM for eight years. From my third year, I started working as a professional artist and became busier, but I couldn't bring myself to leave "Heart & Soul," which was my precious home base. Nevertheless, I decided that I needed to become an independent singer and went freelance.
I still appear as a regular guest vocalist twice a month at "Heart & Soul." I am so grateful to the owner, Masayuki Hara; if I hadn't met him, I think I would have given up on my dream of becoming a singer halfway through.
I also perform live at other venues, such as "Charlie's Bar in Bashamichi" and on stages throughout Tokyo.
—So your dreams came true through encounters with people. By the way, how did you get involved in the world of elderly care?
The trigger was when my paternal grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. My grandmother, who was living alone in Hokkaido, was diagnosed with dementia in her 70s. Although she was physically healthy and had no problems moving around, it was difficult for her to live solely on home care and visiting nursing, so we brought her to Yokohama, and my mother took care of her during the day and I took care of her at night, sharing the responsibility.
My mother's core and peripheral symptoms of dementia were so severe that she had to almost completely suspend her musical activities, and we couldn't take our eyes off her for even a moment. Both my mother and I were exhausted and worried, thinking, "There are still so many things I want to do, what will become of my life?"
Meanwhile, although my grandmother's care needs increased, her behavioral and psychological symptoms improved, and she was able to move from home care to a care facility. From then on, I began visiting the facility where my grandmother was staying twice a month to perform慰問ライブ (comforting live performances).
—So your family was the catalyst?
When I played the grand piano in the facility and sang songs everyone knew together, not only the residents but also their families and staff members—about 200 people—came to watch.
Hearing comments like, "They sit still only while Ms. Sawai is singing," and "A resident who usually doesn't open their eyes was listening with their eyes open," and that some residents even dressed up with makeup and hair accessories because it was a concert, I realized that music can give people energy. I began to want to engage in activities that connect welfare and the community through music.
The vocalization technique I learned uses the calf and front thigh muscles, making it suitable for building physical strength for people who can't do muscle training or exercise. It also helps train the cardiopulmonary function, back and abdominal muscles of the elderly, and I believe it has positive effects on swallowing function and facial muscles. Singing loudly also has stress-relieving and relaxing effects, so I feel it's important to have a place where everyone can sing and practice vocalization together.
My grandmother passed away after that, but through my family's experience of providing home care, I became interested in what it's like to work in a nursing home. I decided that if I was going to try it, I would work hard until I could get the qualifications, so I started working in the field. It took about five years because I was doing it at the same time as my singing career, but last year I was able to obtain my certified care worker qualification. I continue to work in the field and perform慰問ライブ (comforting live performances) now. I will also become elderly someday, and that will be my future. I hope that one day I can create a facility that I would want to be in myself.
I strongly hope that we can improve the image of dementia care and the branding of caregiving professionals, so that the world of caregiving can become even better. Caregiving is a wonderful job where you can get to know each person's life and make the person in front of you smile. It's no different from standing on stage and making the audience smile. I feel that the work of caregiving, which made me realize this, has also given me a valuable experience as an artist, Rie Sawai.
—You participated in Miss Japan Premium 2022 and Global Unity Japan 2023. Could you tell us what motivated you to do so?
Last year was still during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was working hard on online activities under various restrictions, but I was thinking about whether there was a way to show my activities to my fans more effectively. That's when I learned that the age limit for Miss Japan had been removed in January 2022, so I applied. I was selected to represent Hokkaido, my hometown, in the "2022 Miss Japan Premium" competition.
At first, I was just happy to be able to participate. After receiving the honor of winning Miss Hokkaido Premium and competing in the national competition, seeing women from various backgrounds striving to win the grand prize changed my perspective and made me want to aim higher. Everyone has a radiance that goes beyond just their appearance. Through the competition, I was able to gain confidence in my own radiance and existence.
After that, I also participated in "Global Unity Japan 2023," a competition themed on beauty and health, and won a judges' award. I was selected to advance to the national competition. Now I'm working hard to be selected as the Japanese representative and aiming to compete in the world competition.
The contest led to me being selected as a PR model for "MOLARA," Japan's first disposable menstrual disc, giving me the opportunity to promote its appeal. Through that experience, I learned that there are convenient products for women that are not yet widely known, and that useful information is not reaching the public. In this era of 100-year lifespans, I believe that having correct knowledge of beauty, medicine, and health, not just outward appearance, and being healthy ourselves, is essential for living a fulfilling life as we age. I realized how important it is to learn how to live in a way that is feminine and true to oneself.
As both an artist and a care worker who works closely with elderly women, I hope to share information that contributes to women's happy lives based on accurate knowledge.
—Please tell us your thoughts on this concert tour, "RIE SAWAI Summer Tour 2023."
A nationwide tour is something I've decided to do every year. I hope that by launching it as a summer tour every year, it will be an opportunity for people to get to know Rie Sawai. With the self-isolation continuing due to the pandemic, I used to have a strong feeling that people were "coming" to my live shows, but now my mindset has changed to "going out to deliver" my songs. If there is even one person who wants to listen to my songs, I'll go and sing for them! That's my stance.
This tour kicked off in Yokohama, and we later performed in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture. Since the earthquake, we've been going to elderly care facilities in Ofunato to give them慰問ライブ (comforting concerts), and we visited again this time as part of the tour. We received warm words like, "We've been waiting for you," and "We missed you." It was a moment that made me strongly feel that if even one person is waiting for us, we should continue. If we can be an encouragement to someone, we want to do our best.
And the biggest challenge of this summer tour is our first performance in Kyushu. It's at a large venue in Fukuoka called "border-live music & drinks-", a music bar for adults to enjoy for one night. I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of audience will come.
The final show will be at Wonderwall Yokohama in Hiyoshi, Yokohama, our hometown. This venue has been working hard to hold live streaming concerts even during the pandemic and is loved by many musicians, not just locals. We are planning to have the wonderful artist Kikuchi Takeshi, who is from Yokohama, play the piano for the final day of the summer tour.
—I'm really looking forward to the final show of the summer tour. Finally, Sawai-san, could you please give a message to everyone?
I know you might be hesitant to sing loudly after wearing masks for so long, but please, everyone, give it a try!
We use our voices so naturally that it's hard to imagine "honing" them. But precisely because they're so familiar, I want people to experience how they can change their daily lives.
I used to be self-conscious about my narrow vocal range and inability to hit high notes, but with proper vocal technique, my range expanded and I can now sing strong, high notes. My voice no longer gets hoarse as easily, which has greatly changed my singing career, and I've realized how positive and optimistic I can become through improving my voice.
Furthermore, her activities as a certified care worker and her participation in beauty pageants have given her opportunities to witness "each person's own unique way of life." This has also had a positive impact on further refining her voice as a singer-songwriter and vocal trainer.
I want to continue to share my image as a woman, Rie Sawai, in the hope that seeing me work hard will inspire others to think, "I want to do that too!" I would be happy if you continue to support me.
The summer tour, which has overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, runs until September 17th. Be sure to experience Sawai's beautiful voice and the radiance that emanates from within at the venue!
Rie Sawai
■ Profile
Born in Hokkaido, raised in Yokohama.
Singer-songwriter/vocalist
- Kohmi Hirose, Music Assistant
- Chief Instructor at Hirose Kohmi Vocal School
Certified Care Worker
・2022 Miss Japan Premium Miss Hokkaido National Competition Finalist
- Global Unity Japan 2023 Japan Finalist
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