Leaving a Strong Impression: The Artistic Endeavors of Natsuki Mari

Get in Touch with Your Hearts, Young Women

INTERVIEWER  What are your thoughts on the strong drive in Japan to fully tap into “woman power”?

NATSUKI  There are women who say that the status of women in Japan still leaves a lot to be desired, but I think you blame things on others when you don’t have your own opinions. As I see it, today’s society is a place where you can readily make your way up if you know how to present yourself and have your own philosophy. What Japanese women need is the ability to convey their appeal. That includes politicians.

INTERVIEWER  What do you think of young women these days?

NATSUKI  They’re quite smart and sensible, almost to the point of being too cute by half. Pervasive access to the Internet seems to have made them top-heavy with knowledge. They have strong skills, but there’s something lacking in the human aspect, like doing things face to face.

They also don’t take action. You need to do things to make new discoveries. The experience that you gain from all the action brings you more heart and love. Ultimately, it all comes down to love—you should work out of a sense of love. I believe life is measured by how many times your breath has been taken away, and there’s nothing worse than a job that doesn’t touch you.

Overcoming Japan’s “Culture of Immaturity”

NATSUKI  Once women have established their career, you would think the next step is to be of service to others. The thing about Japanese culture is that it’s juvenile—people tend to live their lives so focused on themselves. Volunteering and donating aren’t very big in Japan, but there’s a great sense of joy in doing something for others.

If more Japanese women were to live life speaking their minds and expressing their love, I think we would have a country full of attractive women.

INTERVIEWER  As someone on the front lines of society, you see the immaturity of Japanese culture with painful clarity.

NATSUKI  Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is perfectly fine as a character representing “Cool Japan.” What bothers me is the lack of overall balance. Japan has a way of concentrating on a single standard of value. Whereas the West views women as getting more attractive with age and has roles for actors and actresses of all ages, in Japan the only roles that come around for someone of my age are of old women. And the scripts don’t even depict the pasts of these old women, instead relegating them to the backdrop. I don’t see why there can’t be a script that tells her story, all eighty years of it if that’s how old she is.

Men Need a Culture Shock

As for young men, I think they should spend a few years working in a developing country, where life isn’t nearly as easy or convenient as it is in Japan. I may sound radical, but I’m actually for military conscription. If that’s not going to happen, then it would do good for everyone to go work in a developing country for a year or two and experience some culture shock. People in Japan have become far too numb to how blessed they are. Like the women, Japanese men tend to be childish, and there are very few who have a mature air about them. They all seem nerdy.

Even in the film world, there are few directors who can talk about all aspects of the film, such as costume, music, and the set. In my view, being a film director means knowing music, books, fashion, food—everything. A mature, attractive man who has a grip on everything would be able to make a good film.

INTERVIEWER  How about directing your own movies eventually?

NATSUKI  I’d like that. Film is something I’m interested in.

(Originally written in Japanese and published on April 3, 2015, based on an interview conducted on February 27, 2015, in Yoyogi, Tokyo. Banner photo: The Impressionist NÉO Vol. 2: Cinderella. (Photographs by Hiro Kimura.))