Photo by: HIRO KIMURA
Mari Natsuki is not only active as an actor in films, on stage, and on television, but also participates in theater festivals around the world as the leader of the conceptual art theater "Impressionism." She is also active in a variety of areas both at home and abroad, including serving as the representative of the "One of Love Project," a support activity for developing countries. Now that people are being asked to refrain from going out and travel restrictions are still in place, we spoke to Mari Natsuki about the appeal of traveling.
The Charm of Lake Akan
First, I would like to introduce this fantastical photo. It was apparently taken at Lake Akan in winter. At the Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikoro in Hokkaido, a play called "Lost Kamuy" has been performed since last year, and Natsuki has actually been participating as a directing support since the performance in April this year. We asked her about the circumstances that led to this.
Photo by: HIRO KIMURA
"At the beginning of this year, I went to Lake Akan with a friend and saw Lost Kamuy. I was introduced to the staff there. The work started in March 2019, and after a year they wanted to renew it. So I said, 'If we did this, if we did that...' and they offered me the role of director (laughs)." (Mari Natsuki, same below)
Natsuki is also well versed in modern dance, having led the Impressionist group. "Lost Kamuy" was an innovative stage production that mixed modern dance with traditional Ainu dance and further incorporated digital art, so he felt the potential and accepted the offer. Natsuki visited Lake Akan many times to support the production, and before long he was increasingly fascinated by the history and culture of the Ainu.
"I had always thought that the Ainu people were Japan's indigenous people, but I learned for the first time that it was only last year (2019) that they were legally recognized. This year is supposed to be the year of the Olympics...As Japan moves steadily towards becoming a society that accepts diversity in preparation for the Olympics, I wanted to learn more about the Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, right under our feet."
Photo by: HIRO KIMURA
"Lake Akan is home to a settlement called an Ainu Kotan, where the people who lived in harmony with nature were often subjected to extreme oppression...I think it is important for Japanese people to correctly understand this history and to pass on the feelings embodied in Ainu dance to the present day. In rugby, New Zealand players attracted attention by performing an indigenous dance called the Haka, but I would like more people to know that Japan also has a historic culture and dances."
He was impressed not only by the Ainu history and culture, but also by the natural beauty of Lake Akan in winter, which he visited for the first time.
"It was my first time to see Lake Akan in winter. Have you ever seen it? Lake Akan is covered in thick ice and you can walk on it. The lake is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and the scenery is truly amazing. It's overwhelming. It was really cold though... (laughs). I had to take a photo here...! So I asked photographer HIRO KIMURA, who was with me, to take my portrait."
That was the photo we introduced today. Unfortunately, the performance of "Lost Kamuy," which Natsuki helped direct, has been canceled due to the effects of COVID-19 (as of May 8). He said that he hopes people will visit Lake Akan once the COVID-19 pandemic calms down and travel is possible again.
"Lake Akan is said to have the highest oxygen concentration in Japan. There is also a spiritual shrine, so it is highly recommended for women. For those who think of Lake Akan as being synonymous with marimo, I would encourage you to come and experience its charms."
Photo by: HIRO KIMURA
Mari Natsuki's place for travel dreams
Natsuki has traveled to many countries for work and personal reasons. We asked her where she would like to go if she could travel again.
"One is Germany. What impressed me the most about this incident was the German government's stance on supporting the culture. I was also moved by the statement by the Minister of Education that 'artists are not only indispensable, they are necessary for survival.' Rather than cutting off the arts in difficult times, they respect culture and the arts especially in difficult times. It made me want to go and meet people from that country again."
Currently, the place she feels most attached to is London, England. Having been in the UK for work since last year, Natsuki says she has made many discoveries in London.
"The beginning of this year turned out to be my last trip, but I went to London. The people there were warmer than I expected. The food was delicious, and the restaurant staff were all smiling and worked efficiently. Everyone in the city was kind. It was completely different from any of my previous experiences."
"Abbey Road Studios was used for mastering (adjusting sound quality and sound pressure) for the album I'm producing, 2020 (Du Zero Du Zero). It's a famous tourist destination with ties to the Beatles, but it was my first time going there for work. When you actually work in the studio, the sound pressure is completely different. It feels like all the sounds are reaching your ears properly. I'd like to record there next time I'm making my own album."
Natsuki-san enjoyed walking around the city in between work in London, and posted pictures of her time on her Instagram.
Germany, London... Natsuki's stories of "dreaming about travel" never end.
"Also, Nov (her husband, the world-famous percussionist) turned 70 this year, and it's the 50th anniversary of his debut. I'm not sure if it will happen, but I'm planning a commemorative concert for Nov in New York. I'd like to hold it once the pandemic is over. I'm also concerned about the children in Ethiopia... (Natsuki runs the charity "One of Love Project," which provides jobs for the future to children in developing countries), and there are so many places I want to go."
Rediscovering the Wonders of Travel
"A journey is something you create yourself. A journey has a destination, so if someone says, 'I'm going on a trip,' you ask, 'Where are you going?' But if they say, 'I'm going on a trip,' you ask, 'What kind of trip?' That's the difference. A journey isn't about going to a destination; it begins the moment you make plans, and you make all sorts of discoveries that go against those plans and expectations; it's just like life. You mature as a person by taking action. I want that kind of stimulation, which is why I love traveling."
Natsuki says the appeal of traveling is the differences between expectations and images, and the discoveries you make. However, she admits that she used to make very detailed plans.
"In the past, I would plan everything thoroughly before going on a trip. I had a black telephone at home, so I would keep it next to me and check with various places and make detailed plans... I was already known as a "walking travel agent" (laughs). My friends who went with me would get mad at me and say, "Stop planning in 5-minute increments!"
"Even if you plan that meticulously, things don't always go as planned, so now I think that it's important to make sacrifices when traveling. There are some things you can fully prepare for, but even if you want to do this and that, you can't do everything in a limited amount of time. It's just like life. I think that when preparing for a trip, the most important thing is to let go of many things. On a trip, you can grow and become an adult. I would like to go on a trip like that again."
A trip begins with preparation, and as you plan, you think about what to keep and what to throw away. Then, when you get to the destination, you enjoy discovering things that go beyond your imagination. As Natsuki says, if you dream of a trip from the comfort of your own home right now, your future journey may have already begun.
Mari Natsuki
He debuted in 1973. In the 1980s, he expanded his field of activities to theater, receiving the Minister of Education's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists and other awards. Since 1993, he has participated in theater festivals such as Edinburgh and Avignon with the conceptual art theater "Impressionism." In 2009, he founded and led the performance group MNT (Marinatsuki Terroir). He also focuses on mentoring the next generation through workshops, and was awarded the Montblanc International Cultural Award for his achievements. In recent years, he has been active in music, putting on jazzy and stylish stages titled "MARI de MODE," and his Blue Note TOKYO Live has been well received. He has also been actively developing a new approach by producing New Artists 2020 (Dezero Dezero). As an actor, he has participated in numerous stage plays, films, and dramas, and has received numerous awards. He continues to be active in a wide range of activities, including serving as the representative of the "One of Love Project," a support activity for developing countries.
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