This project based on the combined perspective of art and solving social issues was implemented in cooperation with Takenori Miyamoto, an associate professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, and leading contemporary poet Ryoichi Wago as its central artist. Foreign women living in Japan were interviewed about their different emotional experiences during pregnancy and child-rearing to create a multilingual illustrated book of poems that focuses on the fundamental things that all mothers have in common. The resulting poetry collection was given out to families with overseas roots raising children in a multicultural environment, people interested in multicultural living, and related organizations. The project included two live reading events.
In 2023, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre and Miyamoto collaborated on a shadow picture project (with the cooperation of this organization) in which interviews with four foreign women living in Japan were turned into shadow art, resonating with many people. Triggered by this project, the latest initiative focused on the emotions of mothers from Myanmar who had to leave their country due to political upheaval.
NPO Mother’s Tree Japan
An NPO established in 2020 to provide pre-natal and postnatal support for foreign women living in Japan and multicultural childcare support. As well as supporting women who come to Japan for a variety of reasons, giving birth and raising children in a country that isn’t theirs, the organization’s activities are aimed at creating a multicultural society with babies, new life, and childrearing at its heart.
Tomomi Tsubonoya
Executive Director
NPO Mother’s Tree Japan
Horimoto Building 101, 4-38-5 Chihaya, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 171-0044
Tel: +81-(0) 70-8597-2340
Fax: +81-(0) 42-315-2768
contact@motherstreejapan.org
IKE Biz Toshima Sangyo Shinko Plaza, Toshima City, Tokyo
Sacred Heart Global Plaza (The University of the Sacred Heart, Building No.4), Shibuya City, Tokyo