Stories Played with Soul Sound Lyra

Yasuko Kurihara has enjoyed a long and prominent career in Japan as a voice actress and narrator, appearing in commercials such as Kao's "Biore u." Alongside this, she has pursued diverse activities including stage acting, choir singing, musical theater, and gospel singing. In 2017, she encountered the German instrument, the "Soul Sound Lyra (Lyra)," and was captivated by its uniquely powerful yet delicate tone. This led her to eventually craft her own original Lyra. She developed a unique style, performing readings while playing the lyra, occasionally incorporating improvisational elements like singing, mouth harp, medicine drum, Indian flute, khöömei, didgeridoo, and water kalimba. She began performing primarily at live bars and cafes in Tokyo, gaining acclaim. In December 2025, she selected four "stories" from her repertoire, added lyra improvisations, and recorded them. The release is finally set for worldwide distribution in February 2026. Listening to this collection, one will understand how Kurihara's voice--at times majestic, at times gentle, yet always resonating with a persuasive, mysterious energy--holds the power to reach and heal many hearts. (Producer: Hayata Akashi)