Life is So Beautiful Gift

 

 “Life is beautiful," says the late comedian and songwriter Yoshiro Mori. His words are simple but they ring true. He was referring to his mother's life when he was a young child in the 50s, and they were happy times. In his new documentary "Life is Beautiful" — which premiered on Netflix this week — Mori discusses how he wished his mother could be around today and shared his thoughts on marriage and love for women. The film spans 19 years since Mori began working as an intern at Tokyo Broadcasting System, where Mori worked alongside radio announcer Jun Matsunaga, who became Mori's mentor and friend since their childhood.

Mori was 16 years old when his first job was as a part-time barber in a small town near Nagoya. When it was over, all that young man had was his mom, and she made sure he never lost her ever since. After having a close relationship with his mother, he had high hopes of making them happy. But that didn't happen.

"That moment in my life just felt like I was living my dream, being spoiled by my mother, having the best of everything in the world. And then this happens. It took her away from me completely." Now 30, Mori has no plans to get married. He wants to spend time with his family—but not in a traditional sense, either. Instead, he'd like to continue to make music and travel, and he'll do that once things settle down again.

"I have always wanted to continue playing the piano. When I was younger, I would listen to classical CDs. Not the kind you liked, or I liked, but there was one, in particular, I couldn’t stop listening to," he said. "And so, when I'm at home during quarantine, I'll just play the piano. My favorite composer is Erroll Garner, but I try to keep up with everyone else, too. Most people listen to their phone or other forms of entertainment, but I don't."

In addition to giving birth to two sons, Mori married in 2017. As much as he loves his wife, the biggest motivator he has is finding happiness in his existence and relationships. He also believes that those who are happier than him tend to have less money and more successful families. He says women can be better at taking control and managing their lives if they know what they want when they grow up.

"In the end, people tend to look at the things you want, so if you want to put yourself out there and see where life takes you, you need people to help guide you toward your dreams." At 32, Mori now feels comfortable enough in himself that he has the confidence in doing whatever he sets his mind to.

When he gets asked to talk about anything, Mori often shares things his mother told him, so he isn't shy to speak candidly and connect with others who may not have experienced these things firsthand. That includes his ex-wife, who told him that her past wasn't an easy road to walk. Her advice to him is something he can relate to because he didn't have to learn it on his own, and the lessons seemed to stick with him throughout his entire life.

"I wouldn't say that I'm any different, because I didn't have to go through what she went through growing up. I was born into it. So I learned that already. Now it seems easier than I ever did. I don't think anyone can go through what she went through growing up."

Mori was an aspiring musician at age 14, but when a teacher noticed he was struggling in class, he took over, showing interest in learning about music theory and composition. On a whim, he tried out for a radio audition, but the producer convinced him enough so he quit his dream. He joined a record shop instead, and he found himself wandering around for jobs a few times. Eventually, while traveling to work, he met a girl he could chat with. Soon after that meeting, the duo got engaged, and that's when Mori started pursuing a career in the creative industry.

"I realized that this whole thing that we're going through, I don't know where I went from here," he said. "I haven't figured it out yet."

This all led to him becoming a part-time bartender at a local restaurant called Bison Ramen. Later, he moved to Tokyo and started working as an engineer. Then came the day he was fired. "Amid all that chaos, I heard this voice telling me that I should have stayed inside more than anywhere else," he recalls. "I looked up and saw myself standing on stage. At that moment I knew there was a purpose for me to stay on the inside, and to show people what I felt when I felt like giving up."

Mori wanted to find his place so no matter what happened to him, he remembered, "I would always choose love and laughter." It helped him stay strong and overcome many problems in his life, including the loss of both parents to COVID-19.

The year after his son was four years old, Mori got diagnosed with cancer. This diagnosis changed him for the worse. He still wanted to fight. One day, when he was drunk, he got arrested for disorderly conduct and alcohol abuse. He didn't want to give up. While undergoing chemoprophylaxis treatments, he woke up and saw his chest x-ray. There was a mass of scar tissue—about the size of the American football—and he believed it was his last. He decided he wanted to live. That same month, he received a bone marrow transplant. Everything seemed possible. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy caused a major blood clot and required surgery to remove the clot. Just days before his son was due to turn 9 months old, he passed away.

"It was hard to watch him cry because he had been such a big part of my life," Mori says. "It meant so much to me."

Mori died a couple of weeks before his son turned 3. He left behind a daughter, whom he had three children with, as well as his wife, his grandchildren, and several dogs to take care of. He leaves behind his brother and his father. "I’m gonna miss them dearly."

Mori made music and traveled the world, and he gave back what he could. “Life is beautiful," he said.