A Wonderful Screening Celebration Concert at Fukuoka Science Museum!

On October 7, LIFE INOCHI finally arrived in Kyushu for the first time!

Its journey began at Fukuoka Science Museum,

and a concert by Masahiko Hashimoto to celebrate the screenings

became a reality on October 7!

Director Masahiko Hashimoto once lived in Fukuoka,

and has often performed concerts here.

The screening in Fukuoka

was something so many people had been eagerly awaiting.

The museum was closed the day before because of a typhoon,

but we arrived at Fukuoka Science Museum for our rehearsal!

The staff had prepared this lovely space for the autograph session.

To help as many people as possible discover the event,

they had put up signs throughout the museum.

We were deeply touched by their thoughtfulness.

It made us so happy.

With the museum closed for the typhoon, our rehearsal the day before

gave us time to set up the sound and check the visuals.

It lasted a full seven hours, allowing us to rehearse until we were satisfied.

We do not normally rehearse quite that long! (Laughs.)

Then the day of the performance arrived.

A huge line formed, and all 230 seats were filled!

People came not only from Fukuoka,

but also from Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kitakyushu…

from so many different places.

With the screening starting at 13:00,

many children came too. I think children made up more than a third of the audience.

From tiny babies to elementary and junior-high-school students,

children of all ages joined us.

The concert was not designed specifically for children;

it was a concert for adults.

Yet throughout the hour-and-a-half program, including the screening of LIFE INOCHI,

children listened attentively and calmly.

Everyone was amazed.

A concert beneath a beautiful starry sky is something special.

The stars created by the optical projector were truly beautiful.

Again and again, the screening and concert moved people to tears!

From small children to grandparents,

we shared that feeling with so many people. It was a wonderful time.

A line formed for the autograph session.

Having such a special space for autographs makes the occasion even more memorable for the children, too.

So many people were delighted.

Here are a few of the impressions shared with us.

“My grandchild, who is not yet two, will not let go of the brochure…

and keeps telling me, ‘I want to go! I want to go!’

Then, pointing at that small photograph of the baby in the womb, says, ‘This!’

Yet my grandchild fell asleep in Mama’s arms as soon as the film began! It is so mysterious.”

“For my children, I think this was a real experience that helped them remember

how they grew inside the womb, how they felt when they were born,

and how they came to me.”

“The time we spent there was more wonderful than I could ever have imagined.

My tears felt like the heart releasing its own sweat. It was deeply moving,

an experience that washed my heart clean.

And, to my surprise, my daughter and son were crying too. Amazing!

It touched my 15-year-old son deeply. I think it will be an important experience for his life ahead.

It is perfect for the adolescent years!

I believe something will surely change when parents and children watch it together.”

“My heart is full of emotion.

Now I understand why it is shown in a planetarium.

It has to be a planetarium.”

And there were more…

“Thank you for such a peaceful, lovely time.

It was the day I felt the most tenderness in my life! (Laughs.)

The children stayed excited and laughing late into the night. ♪

We will enjoy today, too. I wholeheartedly support this wonderful work.”

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“This was LIFE’s first visit to Kyushu,

created by Masahiko and Sayaka Hashimoto over two years.

It was truly wonderful and deeply moving.

The mystery of life projected in the planetarium, the beautiful narration, and the clear singing voice

were more wonderful than words can express.

My heartfelt thanks to the science museum

and the prefectural board of education for bringing LIFE to Kurume.”

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To think that a child not yet two

would hold on to the flyer and keep asking to go—

it makes us so happy.

Seeing her fourth-grade daughter and junior-high-school son in tears

brought tears to their mother’s eyes, too.

Surely it is an experience that will remain in those children’s hearts for life.

We are grateful to everyone at Fukuoka Science Museum

who brought LIFE INOCHI

to this venue.

These are the teachers who devoted so much preparation to this day.

From left: Ito, Yamazaki, and Muta.

In fact, all three are science teachers at elementary and junior high schools.

Because Fukuoka Science Museum is operated by the board of education,

current teachers apparently spend several years working at the museum.

It was Yamazaki who first approached us, saying, “I want the children to see this program.”

That was how the invitation began.

They also supported us perfectly on the day of the event.

Thank you so very much.

Muta told us about having three children,

and said that watching LIFE INOCHI always brings tears.

There were tears during the rehearsal, too.

Ito also connected the film with the birth of their own child

and spoke to us about even the smallest details of the program.

The feelings that the staff bring to an event

are an essential part of creating the atmosphere.

We were able to share this moving experience with so many people

because of the museum team’s heartfelt commitment.

We hope that their care and dedication reached everyone, too.

Thank you for a truly wonderful day!

Every Sunday and public holiday at 12:00, through December 21,

the film is being screened.

Please take this opportunity to visit

Fukuoka Science Museum!

Fukuoka Science Museum

http://www.science.pref.fukuoka.jp