Mrs. GREEN APPLE's picture book "Memento Mori" written by Motoki Omori will be made into a reading drama! Mone Kamishiraishi is in charge of the reading.

■“I am confident that I will be able to entrust Memento Mori to her (Mone Kamishiraishi) sincere attitude toward words.” (Motoki Omori)

Mrs. GREEN APPLE frontman Motoki Omori’s song “Memento Mori” was included in his solo debut EP “French” released in February 2021.

A reading performance of the picture book “Memento Mori” based on the worldview of the song and lyric video will be held at Tokorozawa Sakura Town in Saitama on December 14th and 15th.

Starring Mone Kamishiraishi, who is active in all fields including acting, artist activities, writing, and narrator. “Memento Mori”, which reflects Motoki Omori’s view of life and death, is softly and warmly woven with Mone Kamishiraishi’s narration, music, and images.

Mone Kamishiraishi

■What is the picture book “Memento Mori”?
The picture book “Memento Mori” is based on the song “Memento Mori” released by Motoki Omori during Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s hiatus, and is based on the world of the work of illustrator Taraft Otani, who collaborated on the song’s lyric video. This is a picture book created from a perspective. It is a work that can be enjoyed by children and adults, even if you are not a fan, and you can feel Motoki Omori’s “view of life and death”, which is to face the thing called “death”, to live close to it, and to see a kind and warm world spread out beyond that. are.

■Mototaka Omori comment
The song Memento Mori is important to me because it allows me to embrace myself. What happens after death is unknown, and it is not easy to always cherish being alive. Life is full of encounters and partings, and there are days when I feel exhausted by such things.
And the day will come when I too will say goodbye to this world. I don’t really understand how difficult it is, but I thought it would be nice if people could feel whether death is a farewell or a beginning, and not vague fear or anxiety, but something warm, and that’s how I created this picture book.
This story, which was loved by many people, will now be made into a “reading drama.” As a writer, it is my hope that my expression changes and reaches people in various forms.
We were lucky enough to be able to ask Mone Kamishiraishi, who we believe is the perfect person. I am confident that I will be able to entrust Memento Mori to her sincere attitude toward words.
We hope you will enjoy this picture book that both children and adults can read, as well as the read-aloud drama that further expands the worldview.
■Tarafu Otani comment
Congratulations on the decision to make the reading into a play!
Being able to draw the picture book “Memento Mori” will always be a treasure to me. I think it’s a piece of work that can be talked about across generations, and it can be a light to those who have loved ones by their side and those who don’t. I’m sure you’ll feel the passage of time in a different way between the music, the picture book, and the stage performance, and I’d be happy if you could experience the feeling of transcending time and reconnecting with your loved ones through this stage performance. I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of reading it will be!
■Mone Kamishiraishi comment
When I first heard the song, I felt a warm feeling of loneliness and anxiety, and the last sentence grabbed my heart. That feeling grows stronger the more I read the work. Words and sounds created with deep thought and sensitivity, and pictures that seem to breathe with the same body temperature. The screenplay is very nice, with plenty of space between the lines while retaining the gentle margins of the original work. I’m looking forward to seeing how it will change when combined with music.
I am very happy to be able to witness “my” new departure. I will treat you with respect and respect!

Performance information

Reading drama “Memento Mori”
12/14 (Sat) Saitama/Tokorozawa Sakura Town Japan Pavilion Hall A *Two performances per day
12/15 (Sun) Saitama/Tokorozawa Sakura Town Japan Pavilion Hall A *Two performances per day

Direction/Screenplay: Katsuhide Suzuki
Music director: Goro Oshima
Cast: Mone Kamishiraishi
Performance: Goro Oshima, Kozue Kuriyama
Original work: Picture book “Memento Mori” Text: Motoki Omori Illustration: Taraf Otani
Original idea: Song “Memento Mori” Lyrics and composition: Motoki Omori