It was revealed on the 10th that actor and writer Noppo Takami, who was known as “Noppo-san” in NHK’s educational program “Dekirukana”, died of heart failure in September and October 2010. . he is 88 years old. In 2006, we interviewed Noppo Takami, who made her debut as a singer at the age of 71 with “Grasshopper Story”. That Noppo’s gentle smile remains in the impression.
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Mr. Noppo of “Can you do it” is already one of the mental landscapes of the Showa era. When I told him that he was one of the children who grew up watching the program, he greeted me with that Noppo-san smile and said, “I’m happy!”
The song tells the story of a grandfather grasshopper telling his three grandson grasshoppers about the adventures of his youth in a corner of the park, and encouraging them to “fly to a world that has not yet been seen.” She wrote her own lyrics, sang and danced. In addition to the dance cultivated in pantomime, the message of Mr. Noppo who spoke and Mr. Noppo who sang had a great impact. Someone who has devoted most of his career to his children. He was deeply moved by the response from children and former children, which boosted the eight-month long run for the first time in the history of “Minna no Uta”, saying, “This is the first time I’ve ever done such a good job.”
From the age of 30 to 54, he was loved by Japanese children as Mr. Noppo, who said, “I wonder if I can do it.” At the same time, I think his career as an actor was fixed with one image. Mr. Takami himself was one of the people who identified himself with this song. “There was a time when I shunned villains because I cherished Mr. Noppo too much. Maybe I’m an old man who missed out on adventures, too.” I still remember his gentle smile when he told me that.
At the end of the interview, “I want children to fly as hard as they can!” He was a man who had a deep love for children. Thank you for the good program.
[Keiko Umeda](Nikkan Sports.com/entertainment reporter column “Ume Channel”)
