Heavy Rain in July 2018 caused significant damage to Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, due to river flooding from continuous heavy rainfall across western Japan.
About five years after the disaster, the mountains of debris have disappeared, and it can be seen that normal life is gradually returning with roads where cars pass and houses lined up.
While the sight of Mabi-cho returning to its usual state is heartening, we must not forget the irreplaceable things lost due to the flooding and the memories of the community supporting each other towards recovery.
In Japan, where disasters are recurring and close at hand, not allowing the memory of the disaster to fade will also contribute to saving lives.
The Mabi Reconstruction Musical "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of" is a community musical planned to keep the memories of the disaster, which have begun to fade, in our hearts about five years after the Heavy Rain in July 2018.
It will be performed on March 19, 2023, at the Mabi Community Center in Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City.
The overall director is Asamatsu Kira, who is active as a director of community musicals and local theater companies mainly in Okayama Prefecture.
The heroine is Yosoi Miki, a sixth-grade elementary school student living in Okayama City, who has experience appearing in numerous community musicals and films.
We will introduce "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of" and convey the feelings towards the reconstruction musical through an interview with the heroine, Yosoi Miki.
What is the Mabi Reconstruction Musical "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of"?
What kind of musical is planned to preserve the memory of the flooding?
Here is an overview of the Mabi Reconstruction Musical "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of".
Overview of "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of"
On March 19, 2023, at the Mabi Community Center in Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, a musical titled "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of" will be performed, themed around passing down the memory of the disaster across generations.
The Heavy Rain in July 2018 caused significant damage to Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, due to the collapse of rivers caused by record-breaking heavy rainfall mainly in western Japan.
About five years after the disaster, the townscape of Mabi-cho is beginning to regain its tranquility, but it is also important to keep the memory of the disaster alive to protect the community from future disasters.
"Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of" will present a story to pass down the memory of the disaster so that it does not fade away.
Synopsis of "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of"
The protagonist is Kenjiro, who works for a housing manufacturer in modern Kurashiki City.
One day, when he visits Mabi, the planned site for his niece Sakura's new home, Kenjiro is enveloped in a mysterious light.
When he comes to, he finds himself adrift at sea, off the coast of Kurashiki right after the flood that occurred in Meiji 26 (1893).
Kenjiro's consciousness is within Jirokichi, who lived in the Meiji era, and he experiences the flood in Mabi that occurred during that time.
Then, together with a girl he meets in this time slip, Yoshida Tomoyo, he interacts with various people and overcomes the disaster of that time.
Modern disasters and disasters from the Meiji era.
Through the story of Kenjiro experiencing two disasters, the memory of the disaster will be passed down to future generations.
For individuals with visual impairments and the elderly, we offer free audio guidance support for viewing.
How to Purchase Tickets
The ticket prices for viewing "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of" are 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for elementary school students and younger.
Tickets can be purchased directly at the Mabi Community Center and at the Alus Kurashiki Ticket Center.
Additionally, ticket phone reservations (held for pickup at the venue on the day) are accepted at the following phone numbers.
Phone reservations are accepted until 5 PM on March 16, 2023, so please contact us with enough time to spare.
| Person in Charge | Contact |
|---|---|
| Mabi Reconstruction Musical Mabi Executive Committee, Okuma | 090-3639-0993 |
| Mabi Reconstruction Musical Mabi Executive Committee, Fujiwara | 090-7373-3005 |
Furthermore, online streaming will also be conducted. Tickets can be purchased from this link.
If you are a wheelchair user, please inform us when reserving tickets about your need for wheelchair access. On the day of the event, please visit the front reception of the Mabi Community Center.
Creators of "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of"
The production of "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of" is handled by the Mabi Reconstruction Musical Mabi Executive Committee.
Let us introduce the people who are producing this musical that passes down the memory of the disaster.
Overall Director Asamatsu Kira
The overall director of the Mabi Reconstruction Musical "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of" is Asamatsu Kira.
Hailing from Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, Asamatsu entered the world of theater when he joined a local theater company at the age of 20.
After studying theatrical techniques in Tokyo and Osaka, he has been active as a director of community musicals and local theater companies mainly in Okayama Prefecture.
Since 2010, he has been responsible for directing an opera group in Kurashiki and has been active as an instructor.
In July 2022, he directed "Ancient Shooting Star," produced by a group formed to invigorate the Kojima area.
According to Asamatsu, in the Mabi Reconstruction Musical "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of," rather than directly expressing the flooding, it depicts the human growth of the protagonist Kenjiro facing the disaster.
There are people in Mabi-cho who have strong memories of the disaster, and some find it difficult to accept direct expressions.
Through the story of Kenjiro, who knows about the two floods that occurred in modern times and the Meiji era, he aims to create a moving production.
Heroine Yosoi Miki
The heroine, Yoshida Tomoyo, is played by sixth-grade elementary school student Yosoi Miki.
She has been active in local musicals and films set in Okayama Prefecture.
Her first appearance was in the Okayama Prefecture promotional video "Potsuri, Okayama" released in 2019.
In the film "Ishidan" released in 2021, she plays the childhood of a high school girl who is a pilgrim at the Kojima 88 Temples in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
Additionally, in 2022, she appeared as the younger sister of the protagonist in the work "Charihen♪", which is also set in the Kojima 88 Temples.
Moreover, not only as an actor but also in her studies, she has shown outstanding abilities, achieving second place in the Okayama Prefectural Governor's Cup Children's English Expression Presentation Competition when she participated in the first grade.
She also received an excellence award in the 27th Notre Dame Cup English Speech Contest when she participated in the fifth grade.
At the age of three, she obtained Eiken Level 5, at five years old Level 3, at six years old Pre-2, and at the age of twelve in the sixth grade, she holds Eiken Level 2.
Additionally, she has shown diverse talents, such as learning sign language and memorizing finger spelling at the age of five, and solving a Rubik's Cube in 90 seconds.
Cast of "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of"
The important character Kenjiro is played by Kitagawa Masaki.
He is an actor with experience appearing in NHK's morning dramas "Massan" and "Asa ga Kita".
In addition to dramas, he has been active in films, stage performances, and as a host for variety shows.
About 40 people will appear in "Memory of the Sun / Dreams Not Thought Of".
The cast includes aspiring actors, amateurs continuing theater, and those participating in theater for the first time, creating a musical with people of completely different ages, professions, and lifestyles working together.
Since August 2022, serious rehearsals using the script have started, with participants gathering twice a week to continue practicing for the performance.
Interview with Heroine Yosoi Miki
The heroine Yoshida Tomoyo is played by sixth-grade student Yosoi Miki.
How did Yosoi enter the world of theater, and what are her thoughts on facing the musical that passes down the memory of the disaster?
In this interview with Yosoi, we asked about her feelings towards theater.
Into the World of Theater
What was the first film you appeared in?
Yosoi (no honorific)
The first time I was involved in theater was in a short film called "Potsuri, Okayama", which was made to promote Okayama Prefecture.
It is a story about a picture book author who can no longer draw and a high school girl who can no longer smile, as they regain their smiles in Okayama.
I played the role of the heroine's childhood in a flashback scene.
How did you get involved in the movie?
Yosoi
Actually, it was my brother who created the opportunity for me to enter the world of theater.
My brother found an article in the newspaper recruiting actors and applied.
The real reason my brother noticed the recruitment article was the prize money available at the audition, but since he didn't want to perform himself, he had me apply (laughs).
As a result, I didn't receive the prize money, but I ended up playing an important role as the heroine's childhood.
It was a slightly impure reason, but I feel that thanks to my brother, I was able to gain a valuable opportunity.
Did you have any anxieties when stepping into the world of theater?
Yosoi
At first, I was anxious about whether I was responding accurately to the director's instructions.
However, as I continued acting, I went through trial and error, and gradually began to understand the feeling.
Ultimately, I started to feel the joy of theater, which led to my participation in the next production.
Experience as a Performer
Are there any roles you have played that left a strong impression on you?
Yosoi
I have played an Austrian, an American, and a Canadian.
In the musical "The Sound of Music," which depicts the true story of a family that encouraged people through song in Austria just before World War II, I played the youngest Austrian child, Gretl.
In the Kurashiki City community-created musical "Sakigake: A Dream Painted with True Friends," which tells the story of Ohara Magosaburo, who laid the foundation for the modernization of Kurashiki, I played a young American tourist who toured the Bikan Historical Area. All my lines were in English.
In the Natsume Soseki musical "Kin-chan is Coming!" based on events during the time the literary master Natsume Soseki stayed in Okayama, I played a Canadian child living in Kaneda, Okayama.
The last Canadian was a pun (laughs).
However, it was a strange coincidence that I was able to play roles of foreign characters consecutively.
There were also scenes where I spoke in English while playing the roles, and I felt that my expressive skills from English speech contests were helpful.
In relation to the musical about the flood in Mabi, is there anything you were conscious of?
Yosoi
It is a musical that deals with a sad event, but we must not make those affected feel uncomfortable.
Therefore, to understand what happened in Mabi-cho during the July 2018 heavy rain, I attended an exhibition about the flood.
As I looked at photos depicting the state of the disaster, such as houses engulfed by muddy water, people forced to live in evacuation centers, and the recovering town, I realized the severity of the flood.
Additionally, I researched the disaster in Mabi-cho through the internet.
The character I played, Yoshida Tomoyo, who lived in the Meiji era, is a girl with a strong desire to save Mabi.
Having seen the state of the affected town, I feel that I was able to express Tomoyo's feelings.
Thoughts on "The Memory of the Sun / I Don't Dream"
What did you feel when you were chosen to participate in the disaster-themed musical "The Memory of the Sun / I Don't Dream"?
Yosoi
When I was assigned a role in this musical, I realized that my memory of the flood in Mabi-cho was fading.
It may be unavoidable, but unless you are someone who was directly affected, memories may blur over time.
That is why opportunities to reflect on disasters, like this musical, are important.
I wanted this performance to be a chance to remind people of Mabi-cho.
What do you want to convey through the musical "The Memory of the Sun / I Don't Dream"?
Yosoi
About five years ago, Mabi-cho experienced flooding of up to 5 meters and suffered devastating damage, but now Mabi-cho is gradually returning to a clean state.
The fact that we can convey the record of the disaster as a musical is because five years have passed.
Moreover, the two major disasters that occurred in the Meiji era and the present can be reflected upon as real events only now.
In the beautifully recovering Mabi-cho, I feel that I want people to reflect on the records of the disaster.
Listening to the Stories of Elementary School Students Who Pass Down the Memories of the Disaster
The Mabi Reconstruction Musical "The Memory of the Sun / I Don't Dream" focuses on two disasters that occurred in Mabi-cho, one in modern times and one in the Meiji era.
It may be difficult to perceive disasters that occurred over 100 years ago as real events.
Furthermore, for those who have not faced a disaster, even five years can transform memories into something uncertain.
By depicting two disasters that occurred in the same place but in different eras, it may emphasize the fact that memories fade.
Japan, where we live, is known as a country prone to disasters due to its geological and meteorological characteristics.
While living peaceful days, passing down the memories of disasters plays an important role in a disaster-prone country, and it will help protect the people living in the community.
Moreover, to ensure that the memories of disasters are not lost over the long years, we must pass them down across generations.
In "The Memory of the Sun / I Don't Dream," which depicts the disaster in Mabi-cho, I feel that it is meaningful for people of various generations to come together to create the musical.
By having the elementary school heroine convey the memories of the disaster, it will be passed down to the children who will create the next era.
On March 19, 2023, please visit Mabi-cho and listen to the voices of the performers who pass down the memories of the disaster.
Data for the Mabi Reconstruction Musical "The Memory of the Sun / I Don't Dream"
| Name | Mabi Reconstruction Musical "The Memory of the Sun / I Don't Dream" |
|---|---|
| Date | March 19, 2023, two performances at 1 PM and 5 PM |
| Location | 40-1, Ayata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture 710-1301, Mabi Fureai Center Bamboo Hall |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for elementary school students and younger |
