The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter: Sound & Light Performance

The Bamboo Cutters (Akikazu Nakamura / Akiko Nakayama / Morgan Fisher)

The Bamboo Cutters are a trio specially formed for this one concert. The members are all experienced at the highest level of creative improvisation: Akikazu Nakamura renowned shakuhachi master, equally at home in the ancient Komuso monk tradition and the most cutting edge avant-garde music. Akiko Nakayama whose unique Alive Painting builds on the 60s techniques of “liquid light shows” and takes it far into the the 21st century. Morgan Fisher (UK) keyboardist using rare vintage keyboards and modern electronics. His roots are in 70s rock and his branches reach the outer edges of ambient/trance music.

The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (Taketori Monogatari) is one of Japan’s oldest stories (10th century), about an extra-terrestrial princess sent to Japan from the moon via a magical, shining bamboo, being adopted by a humble bamboo cutter, and her eventual return home after bewitching the five princes with her incredible beauty, and tempting the Emperor with immortality. The tale will not be specifically told here, however its fascinating themes and symbols are the inspiration for this entirely improvised concert.

Of course the bamboo in the story can relate to the shakuhachi (with the tiny baby and gold hidden in the bamboo perhaps symbolising the vast range of music Nakamura can produce from this deceptively simple instrument). Nakayama’s complex, evolving abstract colour images can symbolise the impossible tasks and adventures in the story. And Fisher’s vast soundscapes provide a boundless space in which this extraordinary story can unfold, with its moon voyages, and the Emperor finally trying to send a message to the moon from Japan’s highest mountain – which, legend has it, has become known since that time as: Mount Fuji (from “fushi” = “immortality”).

Akikazu Nakamura

Studied with komuso shakuhachi master Katsuya Yokoyama, and at Berklee College. Performs worldwide, blending traditional music with rock, jazz, contemporary music, improvisation. First prize at the 1999 Cultural Affairs Arts Festival. Composed for NHK, German radio, Sibelius and Ravel String Quartets; member of the Japan Society of Contemporary Music. His progressive trio Kokoo (shakuhachi and two kotos) played songs by Bowie, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, etc. His new unit Forest plays original fusion music. CDs include The World of Zen Music(Victor VZCG349), Super-nova (King KICP716).
Akikazu Nakamura information in English

Akiko Nakayama

Visual artist Akiko Nakayama creates installations, live performance and photographic works dealing with energy cycles, movement and colors. Employing a wide range of techniques, her unique approach to live painting results in melting landscapes, kaleidoscopic patterns and surreal and saturated vistas. Working in collaboration with some of Japan’s most distinctive improvising artists, including Keiji Haino, Akira Sakata and Hiromichi Sakamoto, she pursues what she titles ‘alive painting’, in which she aims to find the ‘existence of life’ in the act of creating out of nothingness.
Akiko Nakayama official site

Morgan Fisher

Born in London. 1973-76 played with Mott the Hoople, produced by David Bowie. In 1980 produced “Miniatures” (51 one-minute tracks by Robert Fripp, Michael Nyman, Pretenders, XTC, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Damned, etc. Made vol. 2 in 2000). In 1985 moved to Japan to create ambient and improvised music; composed TV commercial music for Cat Power, Jose Feliciano, Zap Mama and numerous other singers and leading clients. Worked with Yoko Ono, The Boom, Dip in the Pool, Haruomi Hosono, Kokoo. Owns many rare vintage analog keyboards; performs solo monthly at his home studio. Is also very active as a light artist (abstract photographer).
Morgan Fisher official site