オタマトーン Otamatone

　音楽を通して心を通わせようと、オーストラリア・ロベサルの学校へ忍ばせていったのは「オタマトーン」。最初は「これは本当に楽器なのか？」と怪訝な顔で遠巻きに眺めていた子供たちでした。しかし、私がその奇妙な相棒で『きらきら星』をひと節奏でた瞬間、教室の空気は魔法にかかったように一変しました。恐る恐る、やがて目を輝かせてオタマトーンに手を伸ばす子供たち。奪い合いになるかという私の心配をよそに、「次は私の番ね」と優しいバトンを繋ぐように音を響かせる姿がありました。言葉を持たないおかしな楽器が、国境を越えて見事に彼らの心を調和させた瞬間でした。（富樫）

Hoping to connect through music, I brought an "Otamatone" along with me to a school in Robesal, Australia. At first, the children looked on with skepticism, keeping their distance and wondering, "Is this actually a musical instrument?" But the moment I played a few notes of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on this quirky companion, the atmosphere in the classroom transformed as if by magic. Tentatively at first—but soon with eyes full of wonder—the children reached out toward the Otamatone. Contrary to my fears that they might fight over it, they took turns with gentle consideration, passing the instrument along like a baton. In that moment, this strange, wordless little instrument transcended borders and brought their hearts into perfect harmony. (Atsushi)