The members

Hikashu in 2012. From left to right: Shimizu Kazuto, Sakaide Masami, Makigami Koichi, Mita Freeman, and Sato Masaharu.

The current line-up of Hikashu is:

MAKIGAMI Koichi (vocal, theremin, cornet, shakuhachi)
MITA Freeman (guitar) - formerly known as MITAMA Masamichi
SAKAIDE Masami (bass)
SHIMIZU Kazuto (piano, bass clarinet)
SATO Masaharu (drums)

Makigami and Mita are original members. Sakaide joined the band on December 1982 (before then, Makigami played bass), both Shimizu and Sato in 2003.

Past members:

Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer) - original member
Inoue Makoto (synthesizer) - original member
Tobe Satoshi (alto saxophone, vocal, guitar) - original member
Sensui Toshiro (drums)
Nomoto Kazuhiro (reeds)
Taniguchi Masaru (drums)
Otomo Yoshihide (turntable)
Tsuno Ken (drums)
Torsten Rasch (keyboard)
Yoshimori Makoto (keyboard)
Niida Kozo (drums)


There is a chronological listing of the members at The Line-ups of Hikashu (Family Tree)

Where to buy the albums

Outside Japan, I recommend Downtown Music Gallery in New York City. They have stocked recent Hikashu releases and doing mail order. They also accept orders outside USA. Their catalog is pretty impressive - just take a look at their site, then you will know what I mean.

Hikashu page on DMG
Downtown Music Gallery

(March 28, 2010 added)
Also, regarding in-print titles, I putted links to HMV Japan (English page) in Discography page. They provide English menu and accept foreign orders.

Let's start now

Hikashu is an avant-pop band from Japan, formed in 1978, never disbanded, and still going strong.

They are everything. Well-written compositions, masterful improvisation, mystique voice, openness, and absolute sense of humor.

I will write this blog for foreign audience. Comments, corrections and feedback are welcome.