NAKAMURA MITSUKO: SINGING HER DREAMS

Nakamura Mitsuko loves to sing. This year so far she has released singles, 'Meoto-goi' and 'Furusato de Kurasoyo' plus two albums, 'Nakamura Mitsuko Mini Best Album' and 'Nakamura Mitsuko 2003 Zen Kyokushu (Greatest Hits Album).' In addition, in November of 2002 she released a single entitled 'Azuma Otoko to Naniwa no Onna.' Eye-Ai was pleased to ask Nakamura Mitsuko about her career and recent projects.

EYE-AI: How do you feel about your new releases?

NAKAMURA: 'Furusato de Kurasoyo' which we recently released is a song concerning a wife thinking about her husband who has left the country to go to the big city to work. In this song, the woman feels 'Instead of being apart, it's better if you return to the country so we can be together'I can work also.' It's a song that talks about the woman's softness and toughness. It's the first time for me to sing this type of song. In my other song, a duet with Kitajima Saburo, called 'Azuma Otoko to Naniwa no Onna,' the theme is a middle aged couple. Kitajima Saburo is a real sempai (like a respected veteran) to me, so I was nervous during the recording. Of course the recording was very successful. If many close couples can sing this song with smiling faces I'll be happy.

EYE-AI: Before you debuted, I hear you used to sing 'Kawachi Ondo' (a local type of folk song sung in the Kawachi area of Osaka) and studied rokyoku (a form of storytelling sung to a shamisen). Did you have any difficult experiences at that time?

NAKAMURA: For me, before I made my debut, from the time I was a young child I was singing Kawachi Ondo. Often I was able to perform as the opening act at various concerts and attractions so I was rather busy. Happily, I was able to actually earn money from this but I then thought this is alright when one is young, but as one gets older there are fewer chances to sing. I realized I could not continue like that so I began to study rokyoku. I became a disciple of Haruno Yuriko and after I had mastered two or three songs, I was scouted by my present office and made my debut. For me, when I sing, I don't feel sad or any difficulty. I've been able to meet many people, so up to now my career has been enjoyable.

EYE-AI: In 2001, you held your 15th anniversary concert. What was the reaction of the fans, and how did you feel?

NAKAMURA: As expected, because it was my 15th anniversary, both my staff and myself felt energetic. That year, I was privileged to perform in Beijing, NHK Hall, and with Yoshimoto Shin-Kigeki in a musical comedy, but the most memorable performance was at the Osaka Dome. Singing before 40,000 people was breathtaking, and seeing them dance the Kawachi Ondo in a circle around me was impressive. At that concert, I played the piano and tried a little bit of comedy'the audience was able to experience different sides of me so I think they enjoyed it.

EYE-AI: I've heard that you have performed in Hawaii. Many of our readers are in Hawaii. Do you have anything you'd like to say to them?

NAKAMURA: In 1993, I gave a concert in Hawaii and received a standing ovation. In Japan I had never received a standing ovation, so that was impressive. It was 'cool.' To the people in Hawaii, you may be on the other side of the ocean, but please continue to support me. 'Aloha!'

EYE-AI: Do you have any overseas concert plans?

NAKAMURA: At present there are no concrete plans, but I would like to perform overseas (again) sometime.

EYE-AI: Please share with us a special episode from Enka Ichiya (before, Nakamura-san appeared regularly in a TV series called Enka Ichiya)?

NAKAMURA: This series ran from April 1988 to April 1993. It was broadcast first on one station, TV Osaka, and eventually the network was expanded to 27 stations, including one in Hawaii. At that time, it was only a year and a half after my debut, and I had released only two singles. It was the sort of situation where normally one would not be invited to appear on TV yet, but I was asked to appear. I had to sing various types of songs. Some I was good at, and others I was not good at. For the show, we recorded a full month of shows (four episodes) in a single day. In 30 minutes I had to sing 7 songs. In one recording, I had to sing 28! Remembering all these songs was difficult. Many of the songs were old, nostolgic songs'some I had never heard before. I was hard pressed every time. But now, Enka Ichiya has become my starting point and foundation.

EYE-AI: Is there anyone you respect highly in Japanese show business and why?

NAKAMURA: The late Misora Hibari. Since I was small I looked up to her. After I became a singer, I wanted to become like her. Now, I like her even more. Since the time she passed away, I have collected more of her videos.

EYE-AI: What kind of songs would you like to sing from now?

NAKAMURA: There is no particular type, although since I used to study rokyoku before, I'd like to sing songs which include speaking lines'this is something I may be good at. If I can produce even one famous song, I'll consider this to be the greatest joy. It's important to treasure the wonderful songs that are given to me.

EYE-AI: You've performed at the Shinjuku Koma Gekijo in Tokyo, the Shin-Kabukiza in Osaka, and the Misonoza in Nagoya. Do you find performing on stage difficult?

NAKAMURA: It's enjoyable. Every day there is a set routine. At times it is demanding but it's fun. Different patrons come each day, and though the lines are the same, on some days some people laugh and on other days they don't. Occasionally, one of the other actors will ad lib, and I follow. That's quite fun. There are a few people who come more than once, and I find that the play changes slightly from the first of the month to the middle to the end'it gets better. If you think about it as a play, it sounds difficult, but I do it naturally.

EYE-AI: In the past you have played the lead role in several stage productions'it must have been quite a challenge. Could you share with us any difficult episodes?

NAKAMURA: Well, the surrounding cast has always been veterans, so to some degree, it was more of a case of me learning from them. More than 'tough,' I'd say the difficult thing is maintaining one's voice and health for an entire month as there is no alternative actress to play the lead role. Five years ago, just before a performance was going to start in Osaka, I caught a cold. Two or three days into the performance, my voice gave out. I started to cry out of disappointment. Some people in the audience called out, 'Gambatte!' and I started to cry again. That evening, I went all the way to a hospital in Tokyo to receive treatment, then the next morning, I was on the Shinkansen headed back to Osaka. I was worried that my voice would give out again but I was ok. Since that time I've taken careful precautions regarding my health.

EYE-AI: Were there any enjoyable episodes?

NAKAMURA: I can't really say there is one specific episode. The entire process of the stage is enjoyable. First you receive the script, then start practicing, then the dry run. Gradually, the play takes form. Then there is the tense air right before the first performance, then the curtain rises. When the audience applauds enthusiastically that's when I feel the greatest joy.

EYE-AI: With all your plays, radio shows and TV appearances, sometimes it must feel like you need several bodies. How do you maintain your health?

NAKAMURA: I don't have the time to have a set health routine, but whenever I find the time to walk, I make sure I walk. Usually 40 minutes to an hour. Also, to prevent catching colds, I take lots of vitamin C.

EYE-AI: In Osaka, you have a restaurant pub called 'Jinsei Kampai.' Sometimes do you visit it?

NAKAMURA: When I'm in Osaka, if I happen to have a bit of free time after work I visit on the way home. At other times, I may look at my schedule and call in and say, 'I'll be dropping by.' I travel around the country and if I find some delicious food (local delicacy) somewhere, I send it to my restaurant. At my restaurant, the atmosphere is like an enka performance, and Japanese food is served. I run the restaurant as sort of a hobby so I enjoy it.

EYE-AI: I hear that your restaurant serves high quality food. Are you picky about food quality?

NAKAMURA: Not really. The chef of the restaurant, Chef Kawada, is really good. Personally, I prefer simple taste over complex flavor. Recently, I often find myself longing for takoyaki and run to buy takoyaki when I'm in Osaka. Osaka has the best takoyaki, you know.

EYE-AI: You are involved with the training of seeing eye dogs. How did you get involved with this type of charity work?

NAKAMURA: I thought about all the people who in the past have supported me and stood by me, and thought, 'How can I help other people?' Around that time I released a single called, 'Tsubozaka Jowa.' This song was about the feelings of a wife supporting her blind husband. I thought if I also could help blind people like in this song, I'd be glad to. I also happen to like dogs. This is how I got involved. The cost of a seeing eye dog is 3 million yen (around $30,000) and the average lifespan is 10 years. I figured it would be good to help increase the number of these dogs.

EYE-AI: In particular, how are you participating in this cause?

NAKAMURA: In 1993, I formed a group called 'Mitsumame Kai.' The early days were quite difficult. In time, various people helped, and in 1995, we produced the first dog, 'Mitsuko Dai Ichi-go' (Mitsuko Dog 1). Nowadays, every year we have a charity golf contest and at my concerts we set up a contribution box. From that time we have produced one or two dogs each year, and last year we produced five. The year 2001 was my 15th anniversary in show business and it just so happens that we also produced our 15th dog. Last year, we provided two more to bring the total to 17 Mitsuko Dogs. This year we plan to put out our 20th dog. We've been able to do this only because of everyone's support. Thank you.

EYE-AI: On your free days, I imagine you go golfing? What else do you do?

NAKAMURA: I have very little free time, and what's more, I'm not very good at sitting around and doing nothing. In the morning maybe I'll go for a walk, or clean the house, or go shopping. If I can, I like to go to the sauna, get a massage, or eat.

EYE-AI: What is the most precious thing for you now and why?

NAKAMURA: Work, singing. For me, singing makes me alive. My managers says jokingly, 'If someone wants to kill Nakamura, they don't need a knife, all they have to do is take away the microphone.'

EYE-AI: What are your thoughts about your life as a singer so far?

NAKAMURA: Ever since I was a young child I wanted to become a singer. To some people in this business, my debut was a little late, and even I myself have sometimes thought, 'if I could have debuted earlier it would have been better,' yet every person has their own fate or fortune, and in my case I've come to think that I've had quite good fortune. After all, I'm happy just to be able to sing. Though my debut was late, I want to be able to sing many songs for many people. I'll sing as long as I live.

EYE-AI: What would you like to do in this year 2003?

NAKAMURA: I'd like to maintain this situation where I can keep singing. There is another thing I hope will happen; I'd like to win the lottery! If I do win, I won't tell anyone!