Azumi (Wyolica)

Singer / Musician




──Your goal for 2012?



Challenge.
Do what only I can do.
Don't be lazy.

'go quiet a film'

Yoon Mi Rae

EMI Music



This is a visual work where Yoon Mi Rae performs songs from her solo album released last year, playing and singing herself. She uses ukulele, harpsichord, organ, guitar, and sometimes samples her own voice to layer sounds. All by herself. Each song tells a story, and with each one, Yoon Mi Rae's singing voice makes my heart flutter... It's poignant and deeply moving. I want to create something like this.

'Okinawa by Taro Okamoto'

Author: Taro Okamoto

Nippon Hoso Shuppan Kyokai



A photo collection capturing Okinawa before its reversion to Japan. The dynamism, as if the images are about to spring to life, is dizzying. The photos are so powerful that I find it hard to open this book when I'm feeling down.

'La Vie en Rose'

Director: Olivier Dahan

Distributor: Movie Eye



The semi-biographical film of chanson singer Édith Piaf. Édith, who sang of love with such solitude. Overwhelming emotions flood in. The fear on stage, the unfulfilled loneliness; her tumultuous life seemed to have no happiness outside of singing. Music never betrays.

AZUMA Makoto

Florist




──Your goal for 2012?



None.

'Houdini'

Melvins

Atlantic/Wea


Profound!

'The Private Life of Plants'

Author: David Attenborough

Yama to Keikoku Sha


Profound!

'Kōki Masuda: Legend of the Shogi Player'

Distributor: NHK Enterprise




Profound!

TERADA Naoko

Travel Journalist




──Your goal for 2012?



2012 marks the first year of my fifties. I want to utilize the experience I've accumulated in my forties for social good. I plan to slow the pace of my travel-related work, which I've been pursuing relentlessly, and delve deeper. I want to convey the meaning of travel.

'Doo-Wops & Hooligans'

Bruno Mars

Warner Music



This time, I chose with 'friendship' as the keyword. 'Count on Me' from this album is a modern version of 'You've Got A Friend.' After the earthquake, its expansive melody and positive lyrics were incredibly uplifting. 'Talking to the Moon' is a beautiful song also included in the charity album 'Songs for Japan.'

'The Watchers'

Author: Dean R. Koontz

Bungeishunju Ltd.


Recommended for all dog lovers and horror fans. The bond that develops between a lonely middle-aged protagonist and a dog he meets in the woods, and the dark fate that Einstein, the dog, brings about, are utterly captivating. This is one of the representative works of Koontz, known for his storytelling.

'The Young Generation'

Director: Peter Yates

Distributor: 20th Century Fox



Though over 30 years old, this is a timeless coming-of-age film. It's a story of love and trust between an Italian-obsessed cycling boy living in rural America, his family, and friends. With humor and moments of bittersweet life, the exhilarating rush towards the finish line is, as expected from master director Peter Yates.

HIRANUMA Kohki

Architect




──Your goal for 2012?



My thirties were spent moving forward in a straight line, focused solely on creation. Now, at 40, with the era shifting after the great earthquake, I want to dedicate myself to carefully engaging in collaborative efforts, one by one, next year. I also want to face the challenge of nurturing and considering the younger generation in this new era.

'Playing the Piano'

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Universal International



Ryuichi Sakamoto's melodies sharpen the senses and sensibilities, like touching the crisp morning air on a winter day.

'1Q84'

Author: Haruki Murakami

Shinchosha


This book reminded me anew that human creativity can manifest a space of a completely different dimension within a realistic world. From Michael Polanyi's concept of tacit knowledge, I realize that the brain's ability to embody and experience, rather than merely analyze, is what constitutes creativity.

'The Illusionist'

Director: Sylvain Chomet

Distributor: Klock Worx / Ghibli Museum, Mitaka



This animated film, based on a script left by French comedy master Jacques Tati for his daughter, was brought to life by Chomet. The story minimizes dialogue, and the visual texture and quality, reminiscent of silent films, make us realize what we have lost in our mature modern society regarding a rich environment.

MATSUNAGA Maiko

Editor-in-Chief, chocolatmag




──Your goal for 2012?



I want to re-examine the three pillars I've been telling my children, and apply them to myself. I want to make efforts to clean the Earth, which we have polluted. And I want more people to see chocolatmag.

'Un Monstre a Paris'

Vanessa Paradis & M

Barclay



The soundtrack to the film 'A Monster in Paris,' released in the fall. The movie was wonderful, but I especially love the theme song. It puts both children and adults in a cheerful mood. And it makes you want to dance on a bridge. Dreaming is important, isn't it?

'OGRES, BRIGANDS ET COMPAGNIE'

Author: Tomi Ungerer

l’ecole des loisirs



This volume collects Tomi Ungerer's bestseller 'The Three Robbers' along with three other works. The stories, which aren't straightforward, are captivating!

'Chernobyl Heart'

Director: Marion Demos

Distributor: Go Cinema



We can no longer turn a blind eye to reality. Since there's no turning back, this work makes me think carefully about what must be done now.