A collaboration of storytelling and music – Utau Mori

Utau Mori studied acting at a historic theater company before becoming a stage actor. In 2004, she founded "Mizu no Wa," a company that plans and produces stage productions. Since 2014, she has also focused on collaborations between storytelling and music, working with a variety of talented artists in units such as "Mizu no Wa Presents Mai-So no Wa," "Storytelling, Music, and Meditation Painting NOA," and "Storytelling and Shakuhachi Takewa." Having lived in Kanagawa Prefecture for four years, she is actively performing within the prefecture, including a live performance in Sagamihara City on March 1st, 2025.

An encounter with a certain book led me into the world of storytelling.

—Please tell us about your activities so far, Utau-san.

I learned the fundamentals of theater at Mori Tokyo Geijutsuza and Zenshinza, and that's how I got to where I am today. As I continued to perform, I felt a strong desire to "shorten the distance with the audience and create a sense of presence," and around that time, I happened to stop by a bookstore and came across a book of poetry and prose by Nancy Wood, written while living with Native Americans, called "Today is a good day to die."

The Native American worldview of coexisting with nature led me to the world of storytelling. And, wanting to cherish the sense of closeness that allows me to feel the breath of the storyteller, I began my storytelling activities in 2014. Since 2016, I have also been taking up new material such as the heartwarming original folk tale "Okonjoruri" by Akira Saneto and the Japanese folk tale "Nezumi-kyo". In addition, I am also active in teaching reading aloud at my private school, which is now in its 16th year, and teaching reading aloud at facilities and other places.

—You've been involved in a wide range of activities for many years.

I've had connections with Kanagawa Prefecture since before I moved here, and I have very fond memories of performing at the Yokohama Yamate Western-style house, Berrick Hall, in 2004 as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the opening of Yokohama Port. We were the first to stage a play in that space.

Collaboration with various genres

—Utau-san's stage productions are characterized by "storytelling" and collaborations with artists from various genres, aren't they?

I 'm involved in several projects. First, there's the live performance "NOA," a duo project with Nobuko A. Huslage, a meditation artist (meditation painter) living in Germany. Since the art is born from meditation, everything depends on the performance itself. Even I don't know how it will end until that moment! Music is essential for the session, so we invite guest musicians playing Irish harp, guitar, improvisational vocals, shakuhachi, blues harp, and more, and together with the audience, we create a one-of-a-kind stage.

And then there's the unit called "Chikuwa," which recently performed in Sagamihara. It all started with my storytelling and my connection with shakuhachi player Zenju Kazama, but with the addition of young Tsugaru shamisen player Chiaki Kondo, the sound has gained more depth.

—Your live performance the other day was wonderful. The name "Chikuwa" (竹話) is also very endearing.

Thank you, Mori . I was so happy to perform in my hometown for the first time. "Take" represents the shakuhachi (bamboo flute), and "Hanashi" represents storytelling!

About future activities

Mori: "JAXA Sagamihara Campus" and "Sagamihara City Museum Planetarium." The planetarium is currently undergoing renovations, but I would love to collaborate with them on a show and storytelling someday. "Kita-Kamakura Yo Shomei Museum" is also highly recommended. We often feature Yo Shomei's picture books in our readings when we visit facilities. His illustrations are soft and gentle, and the stories are very encouraging, so please do read them. I've only been in Kanagawa Prefecture for four years, so I want to keep exploring and discovering new places.

—Finally, please tell us what you would like to try in your hometown of Kanagawa Prefecture.

Mori: First of all, I would like to increase the number of performances of "Takebanashi" in Kanagawa Prefecture, and I am thinking of restaging "Okonjoruri" and "Nezumikyo," which were performed in March, around autumn. At the same time, I would like to prepare so that the people of Kanagawa Prefecture can also get to know NOA's performance of storytelling, music, and meditation painting. I would like as many people as possible to come and see the performance. Also, if the opportunity arises, I would like to actively engage in reading activities at facilities.

—Thank you very much. We look forward to your future activities!

We are looking forward to Mori Utau's activities in Kanagawa Prefecture. Check her official website for the latest information!

Mori Utau
Official website: Click here