Hikashu - Hikashu History (2001)

"Hikashu History" is a compilation released in 2001 on John Zorn's Tzadik label. This is recommendable for newbie fans as sampler or introductory disc for various reasons; Since being released on influential US label, it's well-distributed, and probably the easiest to find. Even it's available via iTunes and amazon mp3 download (here and here). And it does contain lots of featured numbers in the band's gig like Puyo Puyo, Pike, and Biro Biro, with different arrangement and instrumentation.

The album was compiled by Makigami himself, who owns the vast collection of the band's archival tapes. All tracks are exclusive for this album and available nowhere else.


From Tzadik's blurb:

Hikashu - Hikashu History
Makigami Koichi is one of Japan's most popular underground performers and Hikashu History follows the journeys of his remarkable rock/pop band Hikashu through twenty-five years of musical mayhem. From techno to noise/sampler improvisation to jazz, folk and beyond -- all with a Japanese twist, Hikashu has been anticipating styles and charting new paths in Japanese music for decades. Hikashu History documents their musical explorations through private tapes, rare demos and exciting live recordings. A fascinating view of one band's visionary directions.

The following is track-to-track information of the album à la Frank Zappa's You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore series. Dates and locations are official and taken from the liner-notes of the album. On the other hand, personnel and instrumentation for each track are based on our speculation, derived from various sources.


1. Tokyo Rain
(music: Makigami, Inoue)
album in which song has appeared: Unreleased
date: 1982 location: Unknown
musicians: Makigami Koichi (cornet), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Sensui Toshiro (drums)
Commissioned piece for short film by French filmmaker.

2. Nannimo Nai Otoko [The Man of Emptiness]
(words: Makigami, music: Mitama)
album in which song has appeared: "Ningen No Kao" [People's Faces] (1988)
date: December 5, 1988 location: Egg Man, Shibuya, Tokyo

3. Hi-Ai-Ai Island
(words: Makigami, music: Mitama)
album in which song has appeared: "Ningen No Kao" [People's Faces] (1988)
date: December 5, 1988 location: Egg Man, Shibuya, Tokyo
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal, cornet), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Nomoto Kazuhiro (alto saxophone), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Sakaide Masami (bass), Taniguchi Masaru (drums)
Those two tracks were recorded live shortly after the release of the "Ningen No Kao" [People's Faces] album. Egg Man is a venue located in Shibuya, Tokyo, and still in operation today.

4. Pool
(music: Inoue)
album in which song has appeared: Unreleased
date: March 21, 1980 location: Yaneura, Shibuya, Tokyo
musician: Inoue Makoto (synthesizer)
Solo performance by Inoue. Yaneura was a small but quite influential venue, located in Shibuya, Tokyo. Yaneura is Japanese word which means loft or attic. As well as Egg Man in Shibuya, Hikashu used to appear at the place frequently in their early days. It still exists but under different management and it's no longer what it used to be.

5. Muscles and Fruits
(words: Makigami music: Mitama)
album in which song has appeared: Unreleased
date: Autumn, 1982 location: possibly Toei Studio, Setagaya, Tokyo
musician: Makigami Koichi (vocal, bass), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Sensui Toshiro (drums)
This number was featured in the independent film "Zokubutsu Zukan" [A Guide of Bad Taste] based on Tsutsui Yasutaka's novel with the same title. Both Makigami and Mitama also appeared in the film (as a bad taste critic).

6. Puyo Puyo
(words: Makigami music: Yamashita)
album in which song has appeared: Hikashu (1980)
date: May 24, 1980 location: Tokyo FM Studio, Tokyo
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer, mellotron), Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer, rhythm machine), Tobe Satoshi (alto saxophone)
There's chant-like vocal in introduction.

7. Zo Azarashi [Elephant Seal]
(words: Makigami music: Nomoto)
album in which song has appeared: "Ningen No Kao" [People's Faces] (1988)
date: October, 1987 location: Muse Hall, Shinsaibashi, Osaka
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal, cornet), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Nomoto Kazuhiro (alto saxophone), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Sakaide Masami (bass), Taniguchi Masaru (drums)
Surrealistic at its best. "it's likely that an elephant seal has started to set up a harem in my room./My country doesn't approve of elephant seals, so told am I./I need to be more tolerant to elephant seals./Naturally I'll come to find the reason why I fear elephant seals someday./I wonder if there's someone dealing with the elephant seals in my room."

8. Mask
(words: Makigami music: Inoue)
album in which song has appeared: Hikashu (1980)
date: March 28, 1980 location: Hitachi Family Hall, Fukuoka

9. Suika No Koshin [Watermelon March]
(words: Makigami music: Tobe)
album in which song has appeared: Hikashu (1980)
date: March 28, 1980 location: Hitachi Family Hall, Fukuoka
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer, mellotron), Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer, rhythm machine), Tobe Satoshi (alto saxophone), Sensui Toshiro (drums)
Note that in interlude of "Mask," Sensui Toshiro was performing around the rhythmic pattern made by machine. Being an additional member then, he became a regular early next year.

10. Ryuinji
(music: Mitama)
album in which song has appeared: Unreleased
date: August 1977 location: probably "The House," Nerima, Tokyo
musician: Mitama Masamichi (pipe, glass, guitar, percussion)
Mitama, later to be Mita Freeman, improvised at home.

11. Rhetoric-s & Logic-s
(words and music: Makigami)
album in which song has appeared: Hikashu (1980)
date: November 9, 1979 location: Bourbon House, Umeda, Osaka
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal, bass), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer, mellotron), Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer, rhythm machine), Tobe Satoshi (alto saxophone)
From one of their earliest performances in Osaka. The lyrics of the song was inspired by Paul Goodman's "Speaking and Language."

12. Kujira To Kamome [Whale and Seagull]
(words and music: Makigami)
album in which song has appeared: Unreleased
date: 1980 location: Unknown
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer)
Commissioned for the first TV ad of Toto Washlet (wikipedia). "After easing nature, just go washing (ahhhh), and it feels good."

13. Shuffer
(music: Yamashita)
album in which song has appeared: Inoyama Land "Danjindan Pojidon" (1983)
date: September 11, 1977 location: Kid Airack Hall, Meidai Mae, Tokyo
musicians: Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer)
Written and performed for Makigami's theater troupe "Ulysses."

14. Pike
(words: Makigami music: Yamashita)
album in which song has appeared: Natsu [Summer] (1980)
date: April 1981 location: NHK Studio, Shibuya, Tokyo
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal, cornet), Mitama Masamichi (lead guitar), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer, mellotron), Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer, rhythm machine), Tobe Satoshi (rhythm guitar, vocal), Sensui Toshiro (drums)
Recorded live for the band's documentary on NHK-TV. Here you can listen the performance entirely - including the latter part which was buried under a narrative by mix for actual broadcast.

15. Yochu No Kiki [Crisis for Lavae]
(words: Makigami music: Yamashita)
album in which song has appeared: Hikashu (1980)
date: April 26, 1978 location: probably "The House," Nerima, Tokyo
musicians: Makigami Koichi (bass), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer, mellotron), Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer, rhythm machine), Tobe Satoshi (guitar)
Instrumental version, prepared for a film festival in Tokyo. Mitama's wailing guitar, frantic batteries from Yamashita's rhythm box, and Inoue's distinctive sampling sounds (played on his heavily-modified mellotron). Everything's utterly spectacular.

16. Great Conductor
(music: Otomo, Hikashu)
album in which song has appeared: "Hanauta Hajime (Humming Soon)" [Humming Begins] (1991)
date: October 18, 1990 location: ELL (Electric Lady Land), Nagoya
Collective improvisation with a theme conducted by Makigami.

17. Biro Biro
(words and music: Makigami)
album in which song has appeared: "Hanauta Hajime (Humming Soon)" [Humming Begins] (1991)
date: October 18, 1990 location: ELL (Electric Lady Land), Nagoya
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal, cornet), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Nomoto Kazuhiro (alto saxophone), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Sakaide Masami (bass), Tsuno-Ken (drums), Otomo Yoshihide (turntables)
This version has a lengthy, percussive, gamelan-like introduction prepared by Inoue.

18. Rakuten
(music: Makigami)
album in which song has appeared: Unreleased
date: February 1987 location: Unknown
musician: Makigami Koichi (synthesizer)
Makigami made this recording for dance piece called "Blue Banana Bar."

19. Acchi No Me Kocchi No Me [Nervous Eyes]
(words: Makigami music: Nomoto)
album in which song has appeared: "Acchi No Me Kocchi No Me" [London Eye and Paris Eye] (1993)
date: November 13, 1993 location: Michinoo Hall, Nagasaki
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal), Mita Freeman (guitar), Nomoto Kazuhiro (bass clarinet), Torsten Rasch (sampler), Sakaide Masami (bass), Tsuno-Ken (drums)
In the second bridge, Makigami shortly referred famous line from the Crazy Cats, one of the most influential musician / comedian group in post-WWII Japan.

20. Live With Viruses
(music: Sakaide)
album in which song has appeared: "Hanauta Hajime (Humming Soon)" [Humming Begins] (1991)
date: October 18, 1990 location: ELL (Electric Lady Land), Nagoya
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal, cornet), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Nomoto Kazuhiro (alto saxophone), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Sakaide Masami (bass), Tsuno-Ken (drums), Otomo Yoshihide (turntables)

21. Fushigi O Mitsumete [Watching the Wonderment]
(words: Makigami music: Sakaide)
album in which song has appeared: "Orguss 02 OST" (1993)
date: November 13, 1993 location: Michinoo Hall, Nagasaki
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal), Mita Freeman (guitar), Nomoto Kazuhiro (alto saxophone), Torsten Rasch (sampler), Sakaide Masami (bass), Tsuno-Ken (drums)
Live performance of the lead track from Orguss 02 OST. The album was reissued in 2012 under the different title "Fushigi O Mitsumete," newly remastered and added the short version of the song (the one actually used in the animation) as bonus track.

22. Chimera
(words: Makigami music: Sakaide)
album in which song has appeared: "Teicho Na Omotenashi" [Courteous Hospitality] (1990)
date: October 18, 1990 location: ELL (Electric Lady Land), Nagoya
musicians: Makigami Koichi (vocal), Mitama Masamichi (guitar), Nomoto Kazuhiro (bass clarinet), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Sakaide Masami (bass), Tsuno-Ken (drums), Otomo Yoshihide (turntables)
The album ends with this serene number, which is said to be a warning for technomania.


Available worldwide via iTunes and amazon.com (CD - here, mp3 download - here)

Gigs in Shizuoka and Kobe next week

Hikashu will perform in Shizuoka and Kobe next week. The details are as follows.


February 28, 2013
@ Freakyshow
Shizuoka
Open 19:00 - Start 19:30
adv 3,300 yen - at door 3,800 yen
http://freakyshow.net/
tickets available via e+

Freakyshow, Shizuoka

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March 1, 2013
@ Chicken George
Kobe
other act: Fruits in Jelly
open 18:00 - start 18:30
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen
(drink order charge 1,000 yen minimum)
http://www.chicken-george.co.jp
ticket availabe via Ticket Pia or Lawson ticket

Chicken George, Kobe

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Currents: February 2013

Lauren Newton in Japan, 2004.


Reissues to Come

Hikashu Super Two, the long awaited sequel of Hikashu Super, seems to be still at working stage. In common with the preceding title, it plans to contain rare tracks and single-only sides like "Watashi Wa Baka Ni Naritai" [I Want to Be Like a Fool], the now-rare single originally released in 1983. On the other hand, compiling the new edition of "Soba De Yokereba," the mostly-instrumental album originally written for ballet in 1983, is completed but right now it's unclear when to be released. But be relieved - both titles are sure to be available someday. We just have to wait.


Mita's Standards Gig Was Success

The first concert of Mita Freeman's new project, tentatively called Mita Sings Standards, has ended successfully. In any way, it's hardly said that he's a great singer - it's something he admits for himself - but his singing, along his stage personality, has some irresistible charm indeed. The repertoire is very interesting as well; it reveals that he's quite knowledgeable about American popular songs from pre-war era. Jazz standards like "It Never Entered My Mind," Cole Porter's "So in Love," or pop tunes like Helen Kanes's signature song "I wanna be loved by you," and "Tammy" from the movie "Tammy and the Bachelor" were fine examples of his taste. For more contemporary side, Burt Bucharach's "This Guy's in Love with You" was quite interesting. Also it's notable that most of the numbers he picked are kinda hard to sing. For this matter, he simply said he selected songs he just wanted to sing, regardless of its difficulties.

Shimizu Kazuto, the accompanist and musical director of the project, did beautiful job on piano as well. Besides that, he occasionally sang with Mita, and that was very effective. In the interlude of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambling Man," he took a long, remarkable solo which included some quotations of "My Back Pages." He even played a Chopin piece!

Overall, the performance was pleasant, enjoyable, and spontaneous. Also very casual and carefree.

Both Mita and Shimizu are fully satisfied with the result, and it looks that we can expect more from the dynamic duo.


Lauren Newton comes to Japan

Makigami recently revealed that Lauren Newton will come to Japan this year. For Hikashu fans, the American voice performer living in Germany is mainly known for her splendid work on the "Acchi No Me Kocchi No Me" album. Although she has frequently visited Japan, it's been a while since her last visit which happened in 2008. Right now the details are not available but it's likely that she will perform or holds workshop. we'll let you know when it's announced.

Hikashu - Acchi No Me Kocchi No Me (1993)

Hikashu - Acchi No Me, Kocchi No Me [London Eye & Paris Eye]


1. Ishibotoke [Stone Buddha]
2. Kobore Zakura [Sakura on the Ground]
3. Acchi No Me, Kocchi No Me [Nervous Eyes]
4. Coelacanth
5. πRapple
6. Sanagi [chrysalid]
7. Otoko wa itta [Das kann nicht sein]
8. Daruma　[Daruma Doll]
9. Kusahibari [skylark]
10. HERsHE #3
11. Yume Shokubutsu [Plant in My Dream]
12. Iroenpitsu [colored pencil]


lyrics - makigami except mita on 5
music - makigami (6), mita (2, 5, 7), sakaide (9), nomoto (3, 4, 8, 12), rasch (1, 11), newton (10)

Hikashu:
Makigami Koichi - vocal, cornet
Mita Freeman - guitar, voice on 5
Nomoto Kazuhiro - alto and soprano saxophone, bass clarinet
Torsten Rasch - keyboards
Sakaide Masami - bass
Tsuno-Ken - drums

Lauren Newton - voice
Hans-Jürgen Noack - violin

Recorded in May 1992 at Hansa Ton Studios, Berlin
Produced by Hikashu
Originally released on October 25, 1993 from Tokuma Communications
The Remastered Edition released on December 16, 2012 from Bridge Inc.


This album is distinctive for two things - being the band's first effort with Torsten Rasch, and the collaboration with Lauren Newton.

Originally from Dresden, Germany, Torsten Rasch joined Hikashu in 1991. Being received formal education for classic composition but turned to rock music, he formed a band called Decadence and had been active in the 1980s. After the collapse of Berlin Wall and the re-unification of Germany, he came to Japan in 1991. He soon became a sought-after composer for various media including films and tv movies while playing in Hikashu. He returned to Germany circa 2002, and now mainly works as a composer for opera.

Lauren Newton, an American voice performer living in Germany, was actually contacted by the band in 1991 for the first time, while they were recording the "Hanauta Hajime" album in Hansa Ton Studio. The members thought highly of her work with Vienna Art Orchestra, and aspired to do something together. She came to the studio, witnessed the band working, and agreed to participate in next album. True to her word, next year she came to Berlin from Tübingen, where she resided at that time, and took part in the session.

Hans-Jürgen Noack is a violinist and a member of Decadence, the band Rasch played in Germany. Being quite a versatile musician, his playing fitted well with the band's sound.

Having just joined the band, Rasch already contributed remarkably as arranger and composer here. There's Lauren Newton's voice throughout the album, and her presence is just enormous. She even contributed a composition; Recording original composition from writer outside the band is quite a rare for Hikashu.

The title track is about dizziness. In interlude, bass, drums and two vocalists's voices are intertwined closely and that's quite interesting. Seemingly being very abstract, πRapple is actually rigidly constructed, entirely based on the concept of π [pi] which is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.

This remastered edition comes with a sheet called "Hikashu Shimbun" [Hikashu Newspaper]. It is a reproduction of the promotion material which was prepared for the original release. Also the album's booklet is completely reworked with newly-published photographs.

In June of the same year, a Japan tour for supporting the album followed. Newton and Noack participated in it as well.

Sadly, we had to wait an original album of the band followed this effort, for 13 years. But that's another story to be told.


Available worldwide via HMV Japan here

Hikashu in 1992. From left to right - Torsten Rasch, Mita Freeman,
Nomoto Kazuhiro, Makigami Koichi, Tsuno-Ken, and Sakaide Masami.

Hikashu at SPC, Kichijoji, Tokyo on Feb 7

Hikashu at Vilnius Jazz Festival, Lithuania, 2012

This is the first performance of Hikashu in Tokyo this year. Right now, there is no other gigs announced in Tokyo area so should not be missed.


February 7, 2013
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
open 18:30 start 19:00
adv 3,600 yen - at door 4,000 yen
(one drink order minimum)
venue's directions - Time Out Tokyo

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo

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Distinctive Tuvan Singers perform in Tokyo this week

Otkoun Dostai and Choduraa Tumat, prominent throat singers from Tuva, will perform in Tokyo this week.

Otkoun Dostai is a singer, educator, and organizer. He organized the Hikashu concert in Tuva in 2011, and has played with the band. He is also a frequent visiter to Japan.

Choduraa Tumat is a member of Tyva Kyzy, the first and only women's group in Tuva that performs all styles of Tuvan throat-singing. Tyza Kyzy toured Japan in 2009 under Makigami's coordination.

A workshop for throat singing with them will be held as well.


Tour Dates:
January 22, 23 - Shinsekai, Roppongi, Tokyo
January 26 - Cafe Slow, Kokubunji, Tokyo
January 27 - Khoomei Workshop @ Joen-ji, Shinjuku, Tokyo



Choduraa Tumat playing Khomus


January 22-23, 2013
@ Shinsekai
Roppongi, Tokyo
open 19:00 - start 20:00
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
(one drink order minimum)
other act: Makigami Koichi, Obiki Hiroshi (Jan 22), Yamakawa Fuyuki (Jan 23)
venue information (Time Out Tokyo)

Shinsekai, Roppongi, Tokyo

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January 26, 2013
@ Cafe Slow
Kokubunji, Tokyo
open 18:00 - start 19:00
3,000 yen

Cafe Slow, Kokubunji, Tokyo

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January 27, 2013
Khoomei Workshop with Otkoun Dostai and Choduraa Tumat
Makigami Koichi, moderator
@ Joen-ji Hall
Shinjuku, Tokyo
open 13:30 - start 14:00 - close 16:00
5,000 yen

Joen-ji, Shinjuku, Tokyo

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Mori Ikue "Electric Garden" performance in Japan

Mori Ikue will perform a gig entitled as Electric Garden in Atami (of Shizuoka perfecture), and Tokyo this month. The members are Makigami Koichi on voice and theremin, Sato Yoshiaki on accordion, and Suzuki Shoko on clarinet.

January 13, 2013 - Kiunkaku Music Hall, Atami, Shizuoka (afternoon show)
January 16, 2013 - Koen Dori Classics, Shibuya, Tokyo

January 13, 2013
@ Kiunkaku Music Hall
Atami, Shizuoka
open 14:00 - start 14:30
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
student 2,000 yen (with valid, full-time ID)

Kiunkaku Music Hall, Atami, Shizuoka

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January 16, 2013
@ Koen Dori Classics
Shibuya, Tokyo
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
student 2,000 yen (with valid, full-time ID)
venue information (from Time Out Tokyo)

Koen Dori Classics, Shibuya, Tokyo

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