INDEX
Embracing Openness: Witnessing the Expansive World
Celeina： If you were to choose one word from your letter that you would like to convey to “Jibun back then,” what would it be?
Mifune: I wonder what it would be. Celeina: What would you like to say to “the people of those days”? Just remember to keep an open mind. It’s simple, but I wrote it because I wondered what I would be happy to hear from a stranger in a time machine. I probably would have kicked him out and said, “Shut up” back then (laughs). (Laughs.) I thought it would be fun to be that nice.
Keep this in mind: “I’ll never let you down.” I’ll ensure your future is bright, so feel liberated to pursue your desires. Just remember to keep your heart open. And one day, amaze me. I’ll be anticipating it in the days to come.
Excerpt from a letter by Masaya Mifune (ROTH BART BARON) (from “Words I want to deliver to the people of those days” presented by FRISK)
Takano: Actually, you were the future Mifune. It will be made into a movie [laughs].
Mifune: Just because there are so many things that you can’t see unless you open your mind. When you are young, you are easily frightened by what you don’t know, and you tend to believe too much in what you believe without any basis. That is the fun of being young, though. If you always remember to keep an open mind in a corner of your mind, you can accept various things with an open heart and your mind will expand more and more. I like that feeling very much, so I think that’s what I’m trying to do.
Takano: Mifune-san, you have made many works over time. Is there a song you would like to present to yourself back then?
Mifune: This song was very difficult to write, but I decided to choose this song because it was the song that opened up so many things for me and made me realize how powerful a single song can be. The title is “Kyokusai｜IGL(S).
Takano: It is a beautiful song. I really hope that Mr. Mifune from back then will listen to it. I told him that the future Mr. Mifune would write a song like this.
Celeina: Lastly, could you give a message to those who are at a crossroads in their career and life, just like you were back then?
Mifune: The world is a big place, as far as I am concerned, so please look at the big world. Nowadays, we tend to live within a radius of a few kilometers, but if you move, the radius of a few kilometers will expand tremendously. Japan is a big country, but if you see the world outside of Japan and come back from there, I am sure your heart will be enriched.
Celeina： Thank you very much for your words, since you are also active in Berlin. Thank you very much.
#WordsToMyYoungerSelf presented by FRISK
FRISK is championing positive strides and ventures with its “#WordsIWantToSendToMyselfFromBackThen” campaign. Here, 11 artists, talents, and creators have penned letters to their former selves, encouraging them to embark on new paths and embrace challenges. Expect interviews and discussions on the letter contents across platforms like CINRA, J-WAVE, me and you, Natalie, NiEW, and QJWeb. The handwritten letters in full will be showcased at the FRISK exhibition titled “Words I Want to Send to Myself from Back Then,” commencing April 11th (Thursday) at BONUS TRACK in Shimokitazawa. (Details here).
#WordsIWantToSendToMyself
Eleven groups of leading artists will present “Words I Wish I Could Deliver to Myself Back Then”. The exhibition features handwritten letters written to their former selves who were once troubled by problems. This exhibition is a gift to all those who will start a new life this spring.
Venue: BONUS TRACK GALLERY, Shimokitazawa (2-36-12 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)
Dates: April 11 (Thu) – 17 (Wed), 2024, 11:00 – 20:00 (common for all days) *Opening hours are subject to change.
Participating artists: Sekai Kan Ozaki (Creep Hype), Ayuni D, Boru Juku (Tomoka Tanabe, Hope Sakayori, Anri, Haruka Kiriya), SIRUP, imase, Megane, Ameko Kodama, TENDRE, Kento Nagatsuka (WONK), Aile The Shota, Masaya Mifune (ROTH BART BARON)
Organized by NiEW Supported by FRISK
A special talk show featuring Ayuni D. and Ameiko Kodama x Megane will also be held!
In addition to the exhibition, we will hold a special talk show featuring Ms. Ayuni D., Ms. Ameko Kodama, and Mr. Megane, who have contributed messages to this project, on the stage. Talk show will be held.
Location: BONUS TRACK LOUNGE (2F BONUS TRACK central building tenant 2-36-15 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)
Date & Time:
Talk show by Ameiko Kodama and Megane-san” April 11 (Thu) 19:30-20:30 (doors open at 19:00)
Talk show by Ayuni D.” April 14 (Sun.) 14:00-15:00 (doors open at 13:30)
Seating at the venue is limited, so if you wish to attend, please register via the link below. Only winners will be notified after a drawing will be held. (Please set “@niew.jp” as a designated domain to receive emails.)
→Please check the NiEW special page for details.
Masaya Mifune
Born in Tokyo. Formed ROTH BART BARON in 2008. Currently based in Berlin, Germany and Tokyo, he will perform at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL for the second time in 2023, and in 2021, “BLUE SOULS” by A_o, a duo of artists with Aina the End, will be featured in Pocari Sweat. In 2022, he composed the music and theme song for the movie “My Small Land,” which won the Amnesty International Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. In the summer of 2024, they will hold their solo show “BEAR NIGHT 5” at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA (Shibuya Public Hall).
https://www.rothbartbaron.com/
