歌手加藤登紀子在大阪西成區義唱

Yesterday the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

加藤登紀子さん:３１年ぶり釜ケ崎で熱唱…大阪・西成

毎日新聞　2014年08月16日　00時04分（最終更新　08月16日　00時32分）

　日本最大の日雇い労働者の街、大阪市西成区の釜ケ崎で１５日、地域恒例の「夏まつり」に歌手の加藤登紀子さん（７０）が、手弁当で初出演した。会場の通称「三角公園」で加藤さんは３１年前にコンサートを開いており、「生きているということを心底共有できる人たちの存在を、改めて感じた。来年もぜひ来たい」と話した。

　日雇い労働者や野宿者、単身高齢者らの支援者などでつくる実行委員会が、故郷と縁遠くなっている人たちに釜ケ崎に「ふるさと」を感じてもらおうと、１９７２年からお盆の時期に開いている。

　昨年１１月、野宿者の自立を支援する雑誌「ビッグイシュー」で加藤さんが「また釜ケ崎でコンサートを開きたい」と語っているのを、実行委のメンバーが目にした。事務所を通じて出演を打診すると快諾されたという。実行委の新井信芳さん（５２）は「貧困問題などについても発言する仲間として参加してほしかった」と話す。

　８３年７月に加藤さんは三角公園で弾き語りコンサートを開き、労働者の憩いの場建設のためのカンパを募ったことがある。「格好つけず真実味のある人たちに、歌が伝わるのを感じた」と振り返る。

　雨に見舞われたこの日、加藤さんは「百万本のバラ」「愛を耕すものたちよ」などを熱唱し、約１０００人の聴衆に「生きることってしんどいけど素晴らしい」と語りかけた。路上などで亡くなった身寄りのない人を悼む慰霊祭にも参加し、唱歌「ふるさと」を合唱した。【森田真潮】

(試譯文)

     In Osaka on the 15^th , in Kamagasaki of the Nishinari district that had the biggest day-laborer town in Japan, singer Ms. Tokiko Kato (70) for the first time without pay appeared in the "Summer Festival"; the festival was a local traditional practice. Mr. Kato had held a concert 31 years ago at a gathering location commonly known as the "Triangular Park". She said that “I feel again the presence of people who can genuinely share staying alive together. I very much would like to come again next year".

An executive committee formed by supporters of day-laborers, street sleepers and single elderly people etc. was trying to make those people who were far away from their hometown to have a feeling of "home" in Kamagasaki by organizing a gathering during the Bon Festival since 1972.

One executive committee member noticed that Ms. Kato was saying that "I would like to hold a concert in Kamagasaki again" in November last year in the magazine "Big issue" which supported street sleepers to become self-sufficient. It was said that she readily gave her consent when a performance suggestion was sounded out through her agent office. Mr. Nobuyoshi Arai (52) of the executive committee said that "I want her to participate as a friend to speak about the poverty problem also".

In July 1983 Ms. Kato held a play-string-and-sing concert in the Triangular Park and collected contributions for building a place for workers' relaxation. When looking back she had "a feeling that her songs have reached those people who are not good looking yet faithful”.

On that day the rain was hitting, Ms. Kato sang ardently "One million roses", "The things who cultivate love" etc., and spoke to an audience of about 1000 people, saying that "although life is difficult, it is wonderful". She also participated in a memorial service which mourned those who had passed away in the streets etc. without any relative. People sang the song "Home Village" together.

I have heard the songs of Ms. Tokiko Kato before. It is nice to note that she is still singing for the poor people.