Singer Misato Watanabe appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi) broadcast on January 15th. She talked about her thoughts on reaching 40 years as a singer, as well as the balcony vegetable garden and sewing she has been doing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Debuting in 1985, Watanabe has been a singer for 40 years. The song "My Revolution," which he sang the year after his debut, became a big hit. The COVID-19 pandemic coincided with his 35th debut anniversary. "Just when I was about to go! All of my live shows were canceled. It was like I'd never been in a year without going on stage," he recalled.
He said he realized that the things he had taken for granted were not so obvious, and said, "Those days made me realize that not being able to meet people can make you feel so introverted."
During her time at home, she has been growing roses and other flowers, and has become addicted to growing cherry tomatoes, lemons, potatoes, and other vegetables on her balcony. "It's so satisfying to grow something from a seed or a sapling and have it bear fruit. But the birds are also waiting for the right time to pick them, when you think, 'Maybe I should pick them tomorrow?' They got all my strawberries and other things picked at the perfect time. It's so frustrating," she said.
She also revealed that she has started sewing, "I liked the fabric of a dress I used to wear, and even though I don't wear it anymore, I didn't want to throw it away, so I kept it. So I thought I could make a pouch."
Regarding her 40 years as a singer, Watanabe said, "I've realized that I love singing, and I'm happy to be able to continue doing the job I love." "Looking out from the stage, the expressions of the audience change depending on the time. People who couldn't come to the concert because they were busy raising children are now coming to see me after a break, and I can feel all the different dramas happening in the audience as I sing. I think it's the drama that comes from being a singer for so long, so I want to incorporate that into my own songs. More than anything, I feel like I'm getting nourishment for my soul."
