A collaboration of storytelling and music – Utau Mori

After studying acting at a long-established theater company, Mori Utau became a stage actor and founded Mizu no Wa, a theater production company, in 2004. Since 2014, he has focused on collaborations between storytelling and music, forming groups with talented artists to perform in projects such as Mizu no Wa Presents Dance and Harmony, Narration, Music and Meditation Painting NOA, and Narration and Shakuhachi Bamboo Stories. He moved to Kanagawa Prefecture four years ago and is currently actively working within the prefecture, including a live performance in Sagamihara City on March 1, 2025.

From an encounter with a certain book to the world of "storytelling"

-Please tell us about your activities so far.

I learned the basics of theater at Mori Tokyo Geijutsuza and Zenshinza, and have continued to practice here to this day. As I continued to perform, I felt a strong desire to "get closer to the audience and feel more 'realistic,'" and then, by chance, I stopped by a bookstore and came across a book of poetry and prose called "Today is a Good Day to Die," written by Nancy Wood while living with Native Americans.

The Native American worldview of coexisting with nature led me to the world of storytelling. Wanting to cherish the sense of distance that allows me to feel the breath of the storyteller, I began storytelling activities in 2014. Since 2016, I have taken up new subjects such as Akira Saneto's heartwarming original folktale "Okonjoruri" and the Japanese folk tale "Nezumikyo." I also teach recitation classes at a private school, now in its 16th year, and teach recitation at facilities.

-You've been active in a wide range of fields for many years.

Mori : I had connections with Kanagawa Prefecture even before I moved here, and I have a very special memory of performing at the Yokohama Yamate Western-style Hall Berrick Hall in 2004 as part of the 150th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama Port. We were the first to perform a play in that space.

Collaboration with various genres

-Utau's stage performances are characterized by storytelling and collaborations with artists from various genres.

Mori: I 've formed several units. First, there's the live performance "NOA," a two-person collaboration with Nobuko A. Huslage, a meditation artist (meditation painter) living in Germany. Because it's art born from meditation, everything depends on the performance. I don't know how it'll end until that moment! Music is essential to the sessions, so we invite guest musicians on Irish harp, guitar, vocal improvisation, shakuhachi, blues harp, and more, and we create a one-of-a-kind stage for that day together, including the audience.

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

-The live show the other day was fantastic. The name "Chikuwa" is also very familiar.

Mori: Thank you very much. It was my first local performance and I was very happy. "Take" (bamboo) represents the shakuhachi flute and "hanashi" (story) represents storytelling!

Future activities

Mori: JAXA Sagamihara Campus and the Sagamihara City Museum Planetarium. The planetarium is currently undergoing renovations, but I would like to collaborate on a performance with storytelling someday. I also recommend the Kita-Kamakura Yoh Yoshiaki Museum of Art. Yoh Yoshiaki's picture books have been featured in the readings we give when we visit facilities. The illustrations are soft and inspiring, so please give them a read. I've only been in Kanagawa Prefecture for four years, so I hope to continue exploring more.

-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 re-staging "Okonjoruri" and "Nezumikyo," which were performed in March, in the fall. At the same time, I would like to prepare so that everyone in Kanagawa Prefecture can get to know about the performance of storytelling, music, and meditation painting NOA. I would like as many people as possible to come and see the play. I would also like to actively do readings at facilities if the opportunity arises.

-Thank you very much. I look forward to your future activities!

Mori Utau's activities in Kanagawa Prefecture are looking more and more exciting. Check out her official website for the latest information!

Forest Singing
Official website: here