New album "Nite Hi Naru Toki - The Time quite not the Same" released in Dec 2025 INFO * Upcoming - Monthly Concert 2026 @ SPC Kichijoji Tokyo AUG12 - SEP11 - OCT07 INFO + Crowdfunding Campaign for Hikashu Samarkand Concert (UNTIL LATE JULY)INFO
1. Nite Hi Naru Toki [Time Not Quite the Same]
2. Koala Teki Nenriki [Koala-like Telekinesis]
3. Manazashi Kara Kikan Suru [Returning from a Stare]
4. Kawauso No Saiten [Festival of Otters]
5. Bo Ningen [Stick Figure]
6. Ojama Nandayo Chikara Kobu [That Muscle Gets in the Way]
7. Kuuki O Nugu [Taking off the Air]
8. Honoo No Zatunen [Flame of Delusion]
9. Moshika No Sekai [The World of Moshika]
10. Dakuryu Dewa Naku Sazanami No Ariyo De [The Manner of Ripples, not Torrents]
11. Kuuki O Matou [Wrapped Around the Air]
lyrics - makigami
music - makigami (1, 4, 8, 9), sakaide (2, 5), mita (3, 6, 10), sato (7, 11), koketsu (8)
2. 20 Seiki No Owari Ni [At the End of the 20th Century]
3. Doro Doro
4. Rhetrics and Logics
5. Love Treatment
6. Dance on Glass
7. Pike
8. Alternative Sun
9. Oasis No Yume [The Dream of Oasis]
10. Uwasa No Jinrui [The Human Beings]
11. Dekigoto [Happenings]
12. Outcast
13. Tencho Na Omotenashi
14. Chimera
15. Biro Biro
16. Puyo Puyo
Universal Music Japan UPCY-7952
Released on March 10, 2024
Golden Best is a series of various artists compilation albums released in Japan by Universal Music which began in 2023.
Selected mainly from the early material, so-called Eastworld label era. But it does include later recordings.
It is important to note that this is released with the band's approval, unlike "Twin Best" which was legitimate but released without the band's consent.
The 16th Jazz Art Sengawa will be held on January 11-14, 2024 at Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo. It is an artist-driven music festival and its producers are Makigami Koichi, Sakamoto Hiromichi, and Fujiwara Kiyoto.
The schedule:
January 11 thursday
14:00-14:54 screening the film "Zorn" (2016)
15:20-16:19 screening the film "Zorn II" (2018)
19:30-21:00 John Zorn's Cobra Sengawa Operation Anniversary Unit
Yamamoto Tatsuhisa (drums), Yoshida Ryuichi (baritone sax), Sakaguchi Mitsuo (keyboard), Matsumura Takumi (flute), Yoshida Nonoko (sax), Goto Atsushi (trombone), Itani Takashi (drums), Takaoka Daisuke (tuba), Yoshino (biwa), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello), Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass), Makigami Koichi (promptor)
January 12 friday
13:00-14:18 screening the film "Zorn III" (2022)
14:40-15:34 screening the film "Zorn" (2016)
17:00-18:10 "Crossroad of Sound, Part 1"
Hatano Atsuko (voila+electronics), Takeshita Yuma (Mechanized instruments), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, etc)
19:30-20:40 "Tracing a path to Kavakov's Dream continued"
Hikashu with Koketsu Masayo (sax)
January 13 saturday
13:30-14:40 "Crossroad of Sound, Part 2"
Ueno Yoko (voice, electronics, etc), Kikuchi Masaaki (bass, electronics), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, etc)
16:00-17:10 "Space and Eyes of Echoes"
Ito Chieko (dance), Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass)
18:30-19:40 "Strings vibrating furiously"
Gordon Grdina (guitar, oud) with Dojo [Yagi Michiyo - electric kotos, electronics + Honda Tamaya on drums], Makigami Koichi (voice)
20:00-20:59 screening the film "Zorn II" (2018)
January 14 sunday
11:00-12:18 screening the film "Zorn III" (2022)
13:30-14:40 "Unexpected electric from the North"
Cubic Zero [Yoshida Nonoko sax, Motoyama Tomoaki keyboard, Sasaki Nobuhiko guitar, Okubo Taro bass, Shibuya Toru drums]
15:30-16:40 "Crossroad of Sound, Part 3"
Hondo Misaki (baritone sax, etc), Suzueri (handmade instruments), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, etc)
18:00-19:10 "Tresures of Sengawa"
Jazz Art Trio [Makigami Koichi voice etc, Sakamoto Hiromichi cello etc, Fujiwara Kiyoto bass]
Admission:
2,000 yen for each film screening
3,500 yen for performances (for each stage) except
5,500 yen for John Zorn's Cobra
8,500 yen for 3 stages ticket (John Zorn's Cobra counted 2 stages - films are not included.)
8,500 yen for 1day ticket
22,000 yen for all days ticket
Tickets are available through PassMarket
X (Twitter) @jazzartsengawa
Facebook @newjazzartsengawa
instagram @jazzartsengawa
youtube @Jazz Art Sengawa Official
Hikashu just posted a new year's message on YouTube as follows:
Makigami:
"Happy New Year. This is Makigami Koichi. This 45th anniversary year we have a new album called "Kumo wo Ayatsuru", the 2nd collection of lyrics, and the events commemorating the year. We would like to continue that this year and plan to release a 45rpm vinyl. It's interesting, isn't it? For the first time in some years, I had an opportunity to visit New York City late last year. It was very good and fortunate. And there is also a plan touring Europe in May so please look forward to it. Also, soon we have the 16th Jazz Art Sengawa (January 2024) and hope see you there. Thank you."
Mita:
"Happy New Year. There are lots of events coming this year, Paris Olympics for example. I have a lot of things which could be turned into songs. So what will we gonna do? From now on we'll decide that. Right now nothing has been decided, but anyway happy new year. Stay tuned. Thanks for watching (and walked out) "
Sakaide:
"Happy New Year. Last year many troubles were out there unfortunately. Personally I had some little good things here and there, and I feel it should be embraced. In 2024, I would like to make some diligent efforts. First ... (comtemplating) ... making compositions. This year I would like to compose many songs. Making a little happiness, one by one. Thank you."
Shimizu:
"Last year we went to various places for tour and it was fulfilling. But many difficult things are happening right now, and for me it's not easy to make a positive message, I'm afraid. I just want to stop things destructing. This year I hope such things never happen any more. E veryone feels the same way, I think. Thank you."
Sato:
"Happy new year. This year it's the 45th anniversary for Hikashu making the first release so we will do something special. And for me there is a new release, my 60th birthday concert DVD. It had a lot of guests, like Carmen Maki, Umezu Kazutoki, and of course Hikashu. Too many to mention here, but Makigami's singing is just incredible. This year, Hikashu and myself will make various activities so stay tuned. Happy new year and thank you."
Currently we have no information about the European tour mentioned above but we will let you know about it here later asap so do not miss it.
This year is the *another* 45th anniversary for Hikashu. The band made the first release, the "At the end of the 20th Century" single on Toshiba EMI in 1978. So the anniversary continues.
And the band is active as ever. Monthly Concert at Star Pine's Cafe of Kichijoji, Tokyo is now its 6th year, and certainly various tours will follow.
The band will make the first appearance of 2024 at Jazz Art Sengawa on January 12.
Hikashu - Kumo wo Ayatsuru - Cloud Managament (2023)
1. Tanada ni Harugashumi - Spring have over the rice fields
2. Kumo wo Ayatsuru - Cloud management
3. Dokomade ga sora nanoka - How far is the sky?
4. Inori wa kyou mo yukuefumei - Prayer is still missing today
5. Kocha no simi no zenonpu - Tea stain whole note
6. Jinsei no arch - The arch of life
7. Solomatkin-san wa untenshu - Mr. Solomatkin is a driver
8. Tanada shiki transparent - Rice fields style transparent
lyrics - Makigami Koichi
music - Makigami Koichi (1, 5, 6), Sakaide Masami (3), Mita Freeman (2, 7), Shimizu Kazuto (8), Sato Masaharu (4)
recorded at 1714 Studio (Atami) & IGO studio (Tokyo) in 2023
recorded live at Echigo-Tsumari Art Field on July 30, 2022
engineered and mixed by Sakaide Masami
live recording by Kondoh Yoshiaki (GOK Sounds)
mastered by Ono Seigen at Saidera Mastering
produced by Makigami Koichi
The Japan tour of Chirgilchin, one of the leading ensembles of Tuvan throat singing, was held in October 2022, which was organized by Makigami Koichi, and it was a success as most shows were eventually sold out.
Now Makigami and co. are preparing a live album of the ensemble and taking pre-order.
The album is selected from the recordings of the tour. Unfortunately the albums of Chirgilchin are now hard to find and there's a huge demand of the recordings, so Makigami's effort is trying to fill the gap.
You can place pre-order through the following form.
The tour was covered by various newspapers. This is an article by Nikkei, which is a major economic paper, equivalent to the Finantial Times from the UK. (Actually Nikkei now owns FT.)
Recently Makigami reported on his instagram account that Hikashu's new album, entitled "Nariyamazu" which its English title "Eternal Echoes," is currently in mastering process at Saidera Mastering of Tokyo.
The album is recorded during their trip to Estonia in late March, then overdubbed in their Tokyo studio. Hopefully the album will be out at the end of this year. Can't wait.
Hikashu just announced new album. It was recorded on March 2020 in Tallinn, Estonia. The title is "Nariyamazu" and has another title in Estonian, Kalad ei peatu. It roughly translates "Continuous Echoes (or Sound)"
Right now there is no other details available, but the band just uploaded a trailer video on their YouTube channel.
It looks like this will be released this year. We will let you know when other info available. Can't wait.
It's just announced that two, not one, compilation albums of Hikashu will be released late this year. They are called "20th century best" and "21st century best" respectively.
These releases are for commemorating the band's 40th year anniversary. The former has tracks from 1979-1996, and the latter is selected from the band's albums in this century.
Currently, the track listings are not revealed yet. We only know they will be out in December this year, and both are 2CD set (of course). We'll let you know when the details are available.
It's just announced that a brand new live album of Hikashu be released in April. It contains the selections from the set recorded in December 2016, and includes guest artists, Hisawasa Susumu, and Afrirampo. It's called Zekkei, magnificent view.
It's a 2CD set, and only the 1st pressing comes with a DVD containing the video of the same set. The track list is as follows:
Hikashu - Zekkei
MAKIGAMI RECORDS mkr0012
release date - April 28, 2018
price - 5,400 yen (includes sales tax)
Disc 1
1. Fude wo Fure Kanata-kun / Wave the Flag, Mr. Beyond
2. Ikirukoto / To Live
3. Nyunen / Deliberate
4. Niwatori Tonda / Chickens Fly
5. Tenguri Gaeru / Return to Tengri
6. Mottainai Hanashi
7. Tengoku Wo Nozokitai / Glimpse the Heaven
8. Nyoki Nyoki Haetekita / Sprouting Up
9. Biro Biro
guest Afrirampo on 7, 8, and 9
Disc 2
1. Rhetorics and Logics
2. Damekana? / No Way?
3. At the End of the 20th Century
4. Niwashi King
5. Melancholy in Global City
6. Missile
7. Pike
8. Ruktun Or Die
9. Naruhodo
10. Bijutsukan de Atta Hitodaro / Art Mania
11. Puyo Puyo
guest - Hirasawa Susumu on 4,5,6,7,8,9,10, and 11
DVD - about 70 minutes
Recorded at Daikanyama Unit, Tokyo on December 25, 2016.
Please note that the DVD comes with only the 1st pressing and it's only available at live shows of Hikashu or mail order from the band's management. That means any mail-order house or retailer have only 2CD (hence no DVD) edition, and it takes time for them to stock copies. The management now takes pre-order via e-mail.
Also, the High-resolution edition of the recording itself has been released via download at Ototoy, a online music store. If you want only the audio recording, just go for it. Ototoy says they can accept orders from outside Japan. Unfortunately, we cannot find any English explanation (it has an English menu though), but maybe it could be done with a help of online translation services. It's available four editions, and the files are compressed so you need some extractors (Ototoy recommends Explzh). Please be sure that you need some software for playing DSD recordings. These digital editions are priced 6,200 yen - 4,500 yen.
On October 10, Hikashu's new album will be released. It's 27th album for the band and called "Anguri." Anguri is a Japanese word roughly translated as "mouth-opened for surprise."
The album has 13 tracks and the running time is about 50 minutes. The titles are as follows:
Hikashu - Anguri: in the Style of Unlanding
1. Anguri / Anguri
2. Doremo ga Seikai / All are correct
3. Shikou no Mousou / Suprematism
4. Narisumashite Sourou / Solemn Pretender
5. Tsubuyaku Kai / Selfish shellfish
6. Iine / I like it
7. Toumei Sugiruyo / Too transparent
8. Ryokai desu / Roger that
9. Zenhoui Ayashige / Omni suspicion
10. Mamonaku Tengoku / It will be heaven soon
11. Aisenaiyo, Sonnanja / You cannot be in love, I guess.
12. Chakuriku Shinaikei / In the style of unlanding
13. Iishitumon desune! / Good Question!
It's official. Hikashu's new album "Ikitekoi Chinmoku" [Silence Be Alive] will be out on April 24, 2015. Its cover art and track list are as follows:
track list
(original Japanese / English titles)
1. Ikitekoi Chinmoku / Silence Be Alive
2. Naruhodo / Naruhodo (I Got It)
3. Jiyuu de Iindayo / It's all right to be free
4. Iroha Moyou / Iroha Tapestry
5. Magma No Tonari / Next to the Magma
6. Meron wo Narase! Beluga / Ring that Melon, Beluga!
7. Tenguri Kaeru / Return to Tengri
8. Hateshinai Okusoku / A Never-Ending Speculation
9. Konna Hito / Such a Man
10. Shizukana Shaboten / Quiet Cactus
11. Altai Meisou / Tangled Drive in Altai
12. Okitekoi Densetsu / Legend Be Awake
Total running time about 51 minutes.
The album was recorded at EastSide Sound NYC on November 2014. The engineer is Marc Urselli whom the band speaks highly of.
The cover art is made by the manga artist Sakabashira Imiri, who also did a splendid work for the "Ikirukoto" album. As you can see, his artwork incorporates the meaning of the lyrics, like his work for "Ikirukoto."
The recording session for the album was held shortly after the band's appearances at the Stone NYC.
The selections from the album has been performed at recent gigs, so regular attendees already know the album is going to be great, well up to our expectations. It's different than "Uragoe" or "Ban-Kan" but still retains Hikashu-esque.
Just wait, get it as soon as possible, then you will be gratified.
HMV Japan, which has English interface and accepts foreign orders, has already listed the album: Hikashu - Ikitekoi Chinmoku
Shortly after the residencies at the Stone NYC, Hikashu went into a recording studio, Eastside Sound, and spent two days there to record an album with the engineer Marc Urselli.
They're still working on it. It will be released next spring, and its working title is "Ikitekoi Chinmoku," which means "Silence Be Alive."
During the gig at Star Pine's Cafe this week, the band premired two tunes from the yet-to-be-released album. Having heard that, we can tell that you can look forward to it. Stay tuned.
A review of the recent Hikashu releases is just published at allaboutjazz.com. It's written by Eyal Hareuveni who also reviewed the band's last effort "Uragoe" for the site.
The Wild, Eclectic World of Koichi Makigami's Hikashu Band
By EYAL HAREUVENI, Published: April 18, 2014
Japanese vocal artist Koichi Makigami's main musical vehicle has been his band Hikashu since the late seventies. This band embodies Makigami's colorful eclectic tastes and myriad vocal personalities. They succeed in tying together eccentric collective improvisations, Japanese theater traditions or elements from Japanese films and pop songs, references to progressive rock and wild, virtuoso vocal acrobatics. Hikashu's 21st album Bankan and the following EP Chakra Biraki [Chakra Opening] show that when it comes to Makigami and Hikashu, you can only expect the unexpected, but you are guaranteed to have tons of fun.
It's always nice to see the albums got reviewed on media, and allaboutjazz.com is pretty favorable - it's mainly about jazz, of course, but not only that. They're eclectic, so is Hikashu.
Having completed a tour of Kyushu and Okinawa, the band is now in a short hiatus. Their next gig is at LaMama of Shibuya, Tokyo in March 31.
Excerpts from Bankan at MySpace
Just recently, two excerpts from Bankan are uploaded at the band's MySpace page. Just take a listen to them. Here
Next release - Hikashu Super Two
The band's next release looks like a sequel of Hikashu Super, a compilation originally released in 1981. The release date is not announced yet, but the album looks to be out in a few months.
Like its precedessor, Hikashu Super Two contains single-only sides, some live cuts, and even re-recordings of old repartoire.
Most notables are the two singles from 1982, "Watashi Wa Baka Ni Naritai" [I Want To Be A Fool] and "Cho-Shonen" [Super Boy]. Those are single-only releases and have never been reissued before. Moreover, those two tracks are remixed from the original multi-track master.
Preparing the analog multi-track master for Hikashu Super Two
Makigami's Spring Party - additional gig in Shibuya
Earlier this month, Makigami held a concert in Yugawara, his hometown. It was a replacement gig which was originally scheduled in Tuva but cancelled at last minutes. It was a success, so he decided to do it one more - this time in Shibuya, Tokyo.
The personnel is the same - Makigami Koichi (vocals, mouth harp, shakuhachi), Yanagiya Koharu (vocals, shamisen), Shika Udai (cello), and Sato Masaharu (percussion). See more details here.
March 25, 2014
"Musical Voyage from Edo to Siberia"
@ Koen Dori Classics
Shibuya, Tokyo
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen k-classics.net
Berlin and Copenhagen likely added to the tour date
It seems that Berlin and Copenhagen are likely to be added to Hikashu's Euro Russian tour held in coming October.
Unfortunately, the details are not disclosed yet for those two cities. Probably the band is still negotiating with related parties.
The dates are announced as Berlin on October 8, and Copenhagen on October 16. Please note that these are just tentatives and subject to change. We'll let you know more about the tour.
Shokotan discovered Hikashu
Recently Nakagawa Shoko, a famous celebrity in Japan, confessed adding Hikashu on her list of favorites.
Nagakawa, widely known by her nickname Shokotan, has been active in various media for years and has a large fan base. In short, she's quite influential, especially among the youth.
(She got a wikipedia entry in English, but it has some issues - anyway it's here.)
According to her own enormously popular Shokotan blog, one day she happened to find a video of Hikashu performing Pike on YouTube, and quickly hooked.
In a way, there is no wondering about her liking of Hikashu. She is famous for having unusual interests for a young Japanese woman, like live-action film, horror comics, and Bruce Lee. And that's one of the reasons why she attacts so many people, especially girls.
Later she reported obtaining a copy of the "Fushigi o Mitsumete" CD on her blog and quite favored the album.
Acchi No Me, Kocchi No Me reissue
Recently Makigami disclosed the band is now preparing to re-release of their 1993 album Acchi No Me, Kocchi No Me [Dazzling Eyes].
The album is notable in various ways - especially up to now it's the only full collaborated work of the band with outside artist; An American voice performer Lauren Newton is featured throughout the album and her participation made it so special.
The release date of the reissue is not clear but maybe late this year. Can't wait.
Big news. Hikashu will tour East Europe and Russia in October. Right now, the band has revealed the dates as follows:
October 10 - Moscow October 13 - Vilnius Jazz Festival, Lithuania websiteFacebook October 18 - St. Petersburg
In Moscow, they'll perform at the prestigious DOM cultural center where they played last year and were immensely applauded. The venue's website is here.
Surely more dates are to be added. We'll let you know more about the tour later, so stay tuned.
More reissues to come
The release date of the two upcoming reissues, "Uwasa No Jinrui" [The Human Being] (originally from 1981) and newly-titled "Fushigi o Mitsumete" [Watching the Wonderment] (originally released as "Orguss 02 OST" from 1996) has been set on August 12.
Needless to say, both albums are remastered with 5.6MHz DSD technology, and come with cardboard sleeve.
The remaster edition of "Fushigi o Mitsumete" has a bonus track (a short version of the title song) and new artwork.
HMV Japan has already listed the albums, here and here.
Regarding the ongoing rerelease project of Hikashu albums, there is a big hole in its line-up. And that hole is now about to be filled. Yes, "Uwasa No Jinrui" will be reissued finally, and it's official.
"Uwasa No Jinrui" [The Human Being] is the 3rd album of Hikashu, recorded and released in 1981. Other than being the representative work from the early period of the band, it's important in their history for various ways. In short, making and releasing the self-produced album made them matured and established as an artist. In short, releasing the album marked a major turning point in the history of the band.
The album was different from any previous efforts from the band in many ways. It's dark, serious and hard to grasp - it's a concept album, based on the underground film no one knew or seemed to care - "Freaks" by Tod Browning.
This sudden move alienated many fans. The record company didn't like it either and was not eager to promote it. But it was inevitable. In a way, they had to redeem their true self. Being a "pop act" was a nice game for a while, but they were not as such from the start, and they dared to take a risk.
By releasing the album, they paid high a price. But they won, in the long run. They made an immortal work, and now it's hailed as a masterpiece of Japanese rock in the eighties.
The remaster edition of "Uwasa No Jinrui" will be released in August.
New Album is coming
It's too soon, you say? Of course the band just released an album a few months ago, but to tell the truth, they have already recorded enough material to fill an album about a year before the NYC session (which resulted in the "Uragoe" album) took place in May 2011. In fact, several tracks on the "Nikoselon Part Three" EP are from the 2010 session. And it seems they intend to release more from it in future.
Right now there is no information though. We'll let you know when things get clear.
1. Fude o Fure, Kanata-Kun [Wave the Brush, Mr. Beyond] 2. Chiisaku Ikizuku [Slightly Alive] 3. Uragoe [Uragoe] 4. Haraburi [The First Time in the Original] 5. Hitori Hokai [Collapsing by Oneself] 6. Sudeni Kokoni Nai [Gone Already] 7. Bintoru [Take a Bottle] 8. Sokohaka [Faintly] 9. Yuugata No Iesu, Asagata No Nou [Twilight Affirmation, Morning Denial] 10. Shikotama [Plenty] 11. Beniten Ni Kurenai [Crimson in the Cloud] 12. Umaretate No Hana [A Newly Born Flower] 13. Tsugi No Iwa Ni Tsuzuku [Continued on Next Rock]
produced by Makigami Koichi recorded and mixed by Marc Urselli at EastSide Sound, NYC mastered by Ono Seigen at Saidera Mastering
released on April 8, 2012
"Ikirukoto" is an album which could be descibed as an overall representation of the current line-up. It's like textbook.
So, what "Uragoe" could be expressed? You may ask. I would answer the question as, it vividly captures an undocumented side of the band. That is, they are a tremendous live band, and the album clearly shows that.
In short, this album rocks. Very heavy, more fierce than ever.
The album has 5 compositions and the rest are improvisation. The songs are all great, of course. Only "A Newly Born Flower" is a ballad. The title track and the theme part of "Twilight" are in mid-tempo, and the rest are fast or heavy numbers. Most of the improvised tracks are somewhat short but striking, and there's a surprise in the end - the last track is a very lengthy jam session (12 minutes!) and you could see how tight the rhythm section is. It's very organic - the rhythm constantly moves back and forth but it's never been lost. And that's an aspect of the band documented here for the first time on record. Long jam is frequently featured at their gigs and now those who cannot see them live can taste a slice of it.
Talk is cheap. Go out, get the album, and experience how hard the band rocks if they want to.
Hi. I'm an avid follower of a Japanese rock band, Hikashu. They are formed in 1978 and still going strong. Simply put, they are the greatest band from Japan. Really. They play some pretty good compositions, and collective improvisation of mastery kind. If you like the Mothers of Invention, Henry Cow, John Zorn, Derek Bailey, or any kind of good music plus having a sense of humor, just try them. They are so unique that I cannot describe what the band exactly is, but I try my best. Also, I did all the translations of the lyrics, except where noted.
DISCLAIMER: This blog is NOT official and NOT affiliated with Hikashu in any way. The opinion expressed here is solely mine, an advocate of the band, and it doesn't reflect their intention. Take a note for that, and have fun.
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