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“Magna People Part 3 Takako Shirai”

「マグな人々第3回  白井貴子さん」

- Mr. Shirai, how did you become a member of Magcal Table?

"Magical" will bring together the power of all of Kanagawa, including Yokohama City, and make Yokohama-Kanagawa a lively entertainment town like Broadway in Japan! It started with Governor Kuroiwa's call. That's why people from all walks of life came together, including stage performers, event artists, record companies, newspaper companies, and television stations.
Perhaps it's because I created the theme song for the National Tree Planting Festival held in Kanagawa Prefecture in 2010, and I also worked as an environmental ambassador. I was honored to be invited to represent the artist.

―What do you feel so far about Magcal, which you are involved with as an artist representative?

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Mr. Shirai standing on stage at the prefectural hall conference hall

It's very interesting because I've been involved in the initial launch from scratch.
I'm an idealist, or rather someone who has a lot of dreams, so I get really nervous during meetings. I think we're talking too much about big dreams and unrealistic things. But I think it's the artists who make that happen, so it's always a struggle. You will always run into money problems. I understand that dreams and reality are mixed together, and I have discussions with people in various roles, so I find it quite difficult to decide on one thing at a big table.
At Magcal Table, everyone is working on various things, so even though I'm on the sending side of Magcal, I find myself wondering, ``Did something like that happen?'' There are many things that have passed without me knowing. I wish I could have participated more. I regret that I was busy and couldn't attend.
I feel that ``Magcal'', which is an abbreviation for ``Magnet Culture,'' is not easily recognized. If it is not widely known, we need to create an opportunity for it to become more widely known. In that case, we needed some sort of impetus, so last year we started talking about holding a rock festival called ``Takako Festival.''

-Takako Festival? That means it's a Magcal festival, right? What is the specific content?

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From left: pianist Ayuko Higuchi, Ms. Shirai, and torun player Kumiko Oguri

Actually, I've been planning the "Women's Rock Festival" for quite some time, and whenever I meet female artists, I always approach them. So, when I asked everyone at a dinner party with Governor Kuroiwa, ``Perhaps this project might be good for Magcal?!'', everyone said, ``That's great!'' and we started moving all at once. In the 20th century, the world led by men brought about many good things, but it also brought about unimaginable harm, such as wars, radioactivity, and the environment.
That's why, even though I don't have a maternal instinct as a woman, I've been playing music with the idea of using my power to raise my fist to protect peace and the environment, and I've always wanted to do a festival with that theme.
I also thought, "I can only do this while I'm young" (lol), so I had been asking for it for about four years, and I was really happy that everyone at Magcal agreed. The timing of Magcal PR Daisakusen coincided with the project I had in mind. Fortunately or unfortunately, it seemed to be what the times needed.
In order to get more people to know about Magcal, I wrote a proposal to create a "Magfes" as an opportunity to gain momentum, and discussions are currently underway. We are all working together to make a Magfes, a festival suitable for Magcal, based on women's rock and love, a reality by next year. However, I'm currently looking for a venue here and there, but I can't seem to find anything that looks exciting or interesting. In any case, Magcal's major mission is to set off a spectacular fireworks display and spread the charm of Kanagawa not only to Kanagawa but to all of Japan, and even more so to people all over the world. I am thinking.

-Why do you think Magcal is not well-known and not well-known?

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Mr. Shirai points the microphone at the audience and sings with them.

Today at the Vietnam Festa, I asked everyone in the audience, "Do you know about Magcal?" and less than 10% of them raised their hands if they knew. I realize that getting people to know about it is a really difficult and difficult task.
I know that Magcal-led works have a very high cultural level, but I wonder if they are a little too maniacal or difficult? I think it would be good to have more ordinary everyday performances.

-Mr. Shirai created the school song for an elementary school in Yokohama city and was also appointed as Odawara hometown ambassador. What is your motivation for engaging in so many community-based activities?

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When I was in my late 20s, I had the experience of living in London, a place where I admired and dreamed of rock music. After living there, I realized for the first time that I was truly Japanese. When I was a teenager, I was happy just soaking in the bathtub of Western music, but after actually living in London, I became convinced that ``I can't risk my life for London, but I can risk my life for Japan.'' I returned to Japan. Looking back now, it was like a time when I was trying to become a true Japanese person.
My hometown is Japan, Kanagawa Prefecture. When I think about the fact that I only have one life to live, when I feel like ``I should do this!'', I can do my best wherever I am, as if it were my hometown.
Currently, I am also working on a farm in Ohara, Kyoto. Last year, I also worked on the jacket artwork for the album ``Namidagawa,'' which I created with lyricist Osamu Kitayama. Kyoto is a place that I can call home next to Kanagawa Prefecture, where I lived for 6 years during middle school and high school, and it is a very important place in Japan. I wanted to cultivate the soil at the foot of the forest with my own hands.
Over the past 30 years or so, the world has become more convenient at an incredible speed, and people have moved away from using their hands, working hard, and sweating to protect what is important to them. Even threading a needle is difficult. I don't think humans can evolve unless they use their hands. I get disappointed when I see young people staring at their smartphones even when they are in a place full of nature. Before you know it, Japanese kimono is also an endangered species. That's why Rock's fist naturally goes up! (Laughs) I want to do as much as possible when I have a flash of inspiration, ``It would be great if it turned out like this!'' The discoveries, experiences, and emotions that I gain by facing these things become songs, words, and connect with my way of life. With the Olympics coming up soon, I am working to cherish the days of preserving Japan's natural wonders and culture on a global scale.
*“Kekkitakan” is a term coined by Takako Shirai.

-Finally, please tell us about your future prospects for Magcal.

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Both the 21st century Kanagawa Prefecture choral song ``I want to be the wind of my hometown,'' which I composed in 2001, and ``Let's go to the forest!,'' the theme song for the 61st National Tree Planting Festival in Kanagawa, have both expressed my feelings for my hometown. I have delivered a song.
Looking ahead to the 2019 Rugby World Championships and the 2020 Olympics, I have the same feelings as before, and I think there is still a rough road ahead as to what kind of "Magcal Mikoshi" I will carry with the Magcal leadership team. We hope to use the power of music to spread the Japanese spirit of peace through the Magfes in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Thank you for your support for this event! Please check the Magcal website every day and support us.

I live in Kanagawa Prefecture, so I can go anywhere anytime. I want to tell you more about Magcal, so please let me know!

Takako Shirai's future activities schedule

In March 2018, I will be performing live with Yamaosamu from Odawara.
Details will be updated on the official website in the future, so be sure to check it out!

TAKAKO SHIRAI THE PEACE ON EARTH – Takako Shirai

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