Fushitsusha: Classic or dud

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This is to follow on the Ghost/PSF question, really. Come on then, let's face it, a classic, a band that deserves much more than their current obscurity- and where's Double Live in the list of great albums of ALL TIME?

Julio Desouza, Monday, 21 May 2001 00:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

With introductions done, it's time to contribute. Fushitsusha: a definitive classic. Is to rock what oil drill is to dentistry: same function & direction with a thousand times more pressure. You get the heaviness and heft of MC5/Stooges/Sabbath without the biker posturing (well, in return you get some serious neo-Romantic, black-clad frailness-and-decadence posturing...), psychedelia without Prog noodling. However: it might just be me, but I'd direct the would-be listener to the live albums (Double Live on PSF, live albums on Blast First, Victo, Charnel Music). The studio ones sound somehow too compressed for me.

Janne Vanhanen, Monday, 21 May 2001 00:00 (12 years ago) Permalink

8 months pass...
Thread revival time. Fushitsusha intrigue me, but where should I start?

stevo, Sunday, 17 February 2002 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...
I would start with "Pathetique" or "The Caution Appears". "Allegorical Misunderstandings" is good, but it's somewhat toned down and not representative of their usual modus operandi. "Withdrawe this Sable Disclosure..." is a good live performance, but the sound is noticeably muddier than the studio releases.

o. nate, Friday, 22 March 2002 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

2 weeks pass...
Keiji is currently beating me up with his guitar. The double Live record is a bag of hammers. I can't understand a word he says but it feels so right. Excuse me while I go wash myself.

nathalie, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

This is excellent: I had posted a thread abt them months ago and there was only one answer. And now three more!

Nathalie- You have been burned! And I am sure you'll return to this record again, just like the rest of us fushitsusha fans.

Stevo- You must start with double live. What's so remarkable is that some of the 'song' structures are so loose and yet the playing is so focused. Haino's vocals are incredible and fit perfectly.

I undestand if you don't start with it because (here in the UK) it costs £30 pounds (a 2 CD set). I started with the dbl studio album 'I saw it! That of which I could only sense'. That 2 CD set was at noemal prices since it was released by the Uk's paratactile label. A stunning document. I don't agree with Janne that their studio albums sound compressed as 'I saw it ...' led me on to many other albums.

What Fushitsusha have done is deepen psychedelic music and they are essential.

Is anyone going to Le weekend to catch 'em live? I can't go unfortunately...

Julio Desouza, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

So so so classic, everything I've heard Haino Keiji (or is it Keiji Haino--eh who cares) do is great, but especially the sonic assault that is Fushitsusha. Frankly, I can't comprehend why these guys aren't bigger than the Beatles. . . oh yeah, it's the head-splitting volume thing ain't it.

Still they are great great geat get ge g. By the way A Caution Appears is really good and a lot cheaper than Double Live. Affection is ace if you just want solo Haino beating on his guitar and wailing.

Alex in SF, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

It's Keiji Haino. I still regret not having bought that Haino boxset when I was in Japan. Y'all need to check out that Halana interview. Very interesting.

nathalie, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Also a wire article on him. Chech The wire site.

Affection is another incredible release. And if you wnat sonic assault try the last track on his brilliant solo alb 'Watashi Dake'. Just wave upon wave of feedaback sculpted into truly frightening noise, recorded in 1981.

Julio Desouza, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

I think I have that one and it is great. I'm not at home, but does the cover have a picture of him looking all lonesome and weird in the woods or something similar.

One of the problems with all albums being black and in Japanese is that it is hard to tell them apart.

Alex in SF, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Just looked at an "unofficial webpage" and we are talking about the same record.

Alex in SF, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

All lonesome? Then the title is quite apt. Watashi dake = Only I.
How is his pre-Fushitsusha music? Didn't he play in some band called Lost Araaf????

nathalie, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

''How is his pre-Fushitsusha music? Didn't he play in some band called Lost Araaf????''

Lost Araaf= The first (documented) group he led (he got his break by playing harmonica in a doors cover group). I think he played piano in Araaf. There's a CD on PSF but i haven't got it (but will get it).

There's also an early document of a solo performance 'Aima no Gawa'. That's vocals and live electronics (from mid- 70s). Never seen that one.

What's so impressive abt that last track on Watashi Dake (it is an extra track of three available) is that it was recorded in 1981. His guitar playing was already together by that stage, many years before PSF (which came into existence in '85) started putting his stuff out (by the way, for those who haven't got this alb, the actual 10 tracks that make this up are not very loud but there's a lot more to his guitar playing than that- check it out!).

Julio Desouza, Wednesday, 10 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

My mother just asked me if she could listen to Double Live after I raved about his guitarplaying. She usually listens to Japanese 60s pop. Hmmmm.

nathalie, Thursday, 11 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

''My mother just asked me if she could listen to Double Live after I raved about his guitarplaying. She usually listens to Japanese 60s pop. Hmmmm.''

Nathalie- Does your mum listen to any Japanese psychedelic pop?

Anyway, report back and tells us what she thinks?

At least she is willing to listeen. I was listening ti 'I saw it!' a couple of months ago. My dad had just come back from work to say 'hi!' Then he asked me what was that noise outside? I told it's the record I'm playing. Once I said that he shut the door very quickly!

Julio Desouza, Thursday, 11 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

anyone know what the word "fushitsusha" actually means? my guesses are (a) sausage rolls (b) jam roly poly and custard (c) krazy kookoids (d) fart joke

bob snoom, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Haino (I think0 says that a translation would be meaningless in english.

So, all of the above it is.

Julio Desouza, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Which double live are you talking about? The original was a double LP and was kind of a swamp rock album with two guitarists and Haino playing harmonica. The second was a double CD of the three piece band and was a lot longer. Then the first one was reissued in a cover nearly identical to the second one. I love both of them but a lot of Haino fans dismiss the first one as being too rockist. Alsoworth checking out are some of the studio albums (Allegorical Misunderstanding and A Death Never to be Complete are both essential), his solo works, his stuff with Nijiumi (the two CDs on PSF are actually solo ones too) and his cover band Aihiyo.

A very simple translation of Fushitsusha is something along the lines of "breathing life into nonliving things"(eg stereo systems) but Haino said you would have to read a really big book to even begin to understand the meaning of it. If someone has the interview i'm talking about they could give a more accurate quote, but reading Haino interviews can be a pretty fruitless pastime.

Lost Araaf have put out at least two CDs but they're not worth the bother you would have to go to to hear them. Haino seems to be attempting to imitate a saxophone with his vocal chords on much of them.

Haino Keiji (or is it Keiji Haino--eh who cares)

Haino Keiji is his Japanese name and Keiji Haino is the westernised version (ie Haino is his family name).

hamish, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Hamish- I'm talking abt the second double live.

I love the first one as well though but the second is extra special in my book.

''A very simple translation of Fushitsusha is something along the lines of "breathing life into nonliving things"(eg stereo systems) but Haino said you would have to read a really big book to even begin to understand the meaning of it.''

Thanks! I've only read two interviews: One in Halana mag (see link elsewhere in thread) and the other in the wire. His intentions are pretty clear from the latter. He wants to broaden psychedelic music. Read the wire interview.

Oh, yeah, another in perfect sound forever web zine.

JUlio Desouza, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

''Alsoworth checking out are some of the studio albums (Allegorical Misunderstanding and A Death Never to be Complete are both essential)''

Allegorical gets a lot of flak in reviews. I never heard it myself. What do you like abt that one?

Julio Desouza, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

i think allegorical gets a lot of flak because it has a much cleaner sound and because it appears a lot more laid back than other Haino releases. i like it because it shows off their unique sense of rhythm better than their other releases (although i have yet to hear Origins Hesitation).

hamish, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, haven't heard Origin's yet. Since there is no guitar their 'unique sense of rhythm' should be there for me to hear more clearly (whenever i get it the album, that is).

Julio Desouza, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

BTW, Fushitsusha belong in the thread about bands with no original members.

dleone, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

d- What a crap joke!

[though i don't know what BTW means]

Julio Desouza, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

It's been years since I listened to any Fushitsusha. Double Live remains the most I've ever spent on an individual album, though. I've completely lost touch with them since moving to Oxford - my favourite Haino solo was that monstrous spiritual drone one. Vajra's him too, isn't it? That's a great record, very short and pretty.

Tom, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

d- What a crap joke!

'Tis true! This band actually started out as a guitar-synth duo in the late 70s, founding members being only Takahashi Ayuo (who would later work with Peter Hammill) and Shiraishi Tamio (who has played solo, and with Omoide Hatoba, among others). Haino joined in '79, and Shiraishi left. However, the Haino has been featured on all their releases.

dleone, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Warning stay away from Takahashi Ayuo's solo albums. They're terrible.

Vajra's him too, isn't it? That's a great record, very short and pretty.

Vajra (or Vasara) is Haino Keiji, Toshiaki Ishizuka (sometime Fushitsusha drummer) and Kan Mikami (absolutely amazing folk singer but probably more famous as an actor). They've put out a few albums but i prefer their solo albums. Which album are you referring to?

hamish, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

my fave haino rave is probably his album as nijiumu the era of sad wings. i reviewed it for amg, but can't be arsed to dig it up right now. basically it's ambient haino, lots of distant drones, percussion, and his inimitable vocals.

double live (psf 15/16) is one of the most important records of the last decade, but we've covered that already.

jess, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

amg review ist here.

jess, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

'''Tis true! This band actually started out as a guitar-synth duo in the late 70s, founding members being only Takahashi Ayuo (who would later work with Peter Hammill) and Shiraishi Tamio (who has played solo, and with Omoide Hatoba, among others). Haino joined in '79, and Shiraishi left. However, the Haino has been featured on all their releases.''

I didn't know this so my apologies. From the wire interview (as I recall) Biba Kopf said that Haino formed Fushitsusha in '78/79.

This is a good thread for me. I got some extra information on my favourite bands ever.

Julio Desouza, Thursday, 18 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

My Japanese friend just took a look at my double live record and said "Fu...shit...su...sha?!? Strange name. Keiji Haino??? I don't understand this text." Then my mother went on to say I have weird taste in music.

nathalie, Thursday, 18 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Is anyone going to Le weekend to catch 'em live? I can't go unfortunately...

Dang, I wish I was going to be in Central Scotland next week. The line-up for this looks great. If you have the chance to go, then you definitely should, because Fushitsusha and Haino are revelatory in a live setting. There is a special energy in their performances which can't be captured on record - maybe it has something do with Haino's stage theatrics and man-in-black mysteriousness, or the sheer volume. They put on the loudest show that I've ever seen at Tonic here in NYC. Not to mention that Shizuka's also on the line-up. It would be awesome to see them play.

o. nate, Thursday, 18 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Nate- Shit, I really wish I coul've been there but I'm should be out of the country. This is a massive disappointment.

Julio Desouza, Thursday, 18 April 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...
*revive*

downloaded 'origin's hesitation' and just played it and its haino on percussion/vocals and osawa on bass. NO GUITAR! How many 'psych rock' bands do that?

I have to say that I like it but that's just bcz of the fact that there isn't any guitar. His I'm shitting blood-type really make me laugh too (but he does come down a bit in the last, and the longest by far, tracks). Having said that, its ther first alb from them that i've heard that would put off ppl if they were hearing them for the first time but it completely makes sense in terms of what they do, which is a v diff version of what we know as rock music.

With fushitsusha as a trio the bass could sometimes be buried in but here there are no probs and Osawa's licks (especially from the fourth track onwards) are very tasty and perfectly complement haino's percussion.

They cover quite a bit of material. The first track is a bit of a five minute thrash around, the next two completely confused and amused me as haino would do stop start percussion and then the vocal and osawa eventaully coming in...there was quite a bit of playing around with silence throughout but especially in the last two tracks.

and in some ways this is their best studio alb, or should I say that I never really thought of them as a studio band since the live recs on PSF are that much superior (though I saw it!... is pretty fine) and so in some ways, this departure (which was sort of forced on them as takahashi left the band) makes them a band capable of cutting really good records in the studio.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 3 August 2003 15:55 (9 years ago) Permalink

3 months pass...
*revive*

After careful consideration, I think Fushitsusha's top 5 may be:

Live 2
I Saw It!...
Pathetique
Live 1
THe Caution Appears

Not crazy about Allegorical Misunderstanding or Withdrawe This Sable Disclosure ere Devot'd.

And let me just say: C L A S S I C

John Bullabaugh (John Bullabaugh), Wednesday, 26 November 2003 01:00 (9 years ago) Permalink

2 years pass...
"A very simple translation of Fushitsusha is something along the lines of "breathing life into nonliving things"(eg stereo systems) but Haino said you would have to read a really big book to even begin to understand the meaning of it"

This is nonsense. Fu-Shitsu-Sha (for it is made up of three Japanese characters (kanji) means something along the lines of "un-person". Alan Cummings has translated it as "man with no qualities". The "fu" and "shitsu" parts mean "un-", "non", the "sha" means "person".

Tim Duke, Sunday, 30 April 2006 13:30 (7 years ago) Permalink

Someone schooled in the language and the music once told me it's actually pronounced "foo-SHIT-sah" (3 syllables)?

Brian Turner (btwfmu), Sunday, 30 April 2006 13:49 (7 years ago) Permalink

my Japanese wife says it can be read either way, so it's Haino's intent that matters, which is the one Tim said, Fu-Shitsu-Sha.

J Abbey, Sunday, 30 April 2006 20:26 (7 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

In February 2008, longtime bassist Yasushi Ozawa passed away.

rip

rizzx, Sunday, 10 February 2008 18:11 (5 years ago) Permalink

Fuuuuuuuuuck dude

Ivan, Sunday, 10 February 2008 20:01 (5 years ago) Permalink

very sad. saw him with fushitsusha in 1996, absolutely towering.

Lawrence the Looter, Sunday, 10 February 2008 22:51 (5 years ago) Permalink

And young as well :-(

xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 00:02 (5 years ago) Permalink

rip

ryan, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 00:41 (5 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, he was an amazing foil for Haino, his other band Marginal Consort are pretty great too.

Matt #2, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 01:01 (5 years ago) Permalink

much respect to the dude, he was a heavy player in every sense.

sleeve, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 01:13 (5 years ago) Permalink

rip

Dominique, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 03:35 (5 years ago) Permalink

Echoing what I said on the noise.as forums, it's very sad that there's now no chance of any further recordings or live shows from the arguably 'classic' Fushitsusha line-up. While I admit I wouldn't have known his name before hearing of his death, from browsing the discography he was fundamental in the vast majority of the Fushitsusha recordings that I know and love, not least the Double Live sets.

R.I.P.

krakow, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 08:02 (5 years ago) Permalink

:(
I saw Keiji Haino solo at the Walker in mpls last year, the only US show he was able to play, and it was absolutely paralyzing. Four Twin Reverbs just cranking out layers of bizarre vocal loops and gutting shards of what I can only assume was his guitar.

I have always wanted to see Fishitsusha. Too, too bad.

RabiesAngentleman, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 09:26 (5 years ago) Permalink

All I have is Withdrawe, and this dvd I picked up at that show. Can't seem to find these acclaimed live albums, any idea where I should look?

RabiesAngentleman, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 09:29 (5 years ago) Permalink

Not for under $50 anyway, and I found zero torrents. Would anyone be willing to burn me double live or something? I want to legitimately buy this, but...don't know how.

RabiesAngentleman, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 09:57 (5 years ago) Permalink

they're $40 with postage at Forced Exposure if that helps.

sleeve, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 15:22 (5 years ago) Permalink

You can get this stuff direct from PSF still : http://www.psfrecords.com/index.html
Around $40 each for Live 1 & 2.

Matt #2, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 15:36 (5 years ago) Permalink

I'm not sure if posting links to mp3s is against the rules here or anything (nothing about in the FAQ), so I'll just mention that the double live albums were posted on Lost-in-Tyme a while back, if you're so inclined

SchnappM, Thursday, 14 February 2008 02:08 (5 years ago) Permalink

if it's any consolation they are totally worth the 50 dollars.

ryan, Thursday, 14 February 2008 02:16 (5 years ago) Permalink

As mentioned above, it's less than $40 each including postage from Japan when bought directly from PSF. Their prices are postage paid internationally, except for a flat $4 insurance charge on top of the whole order.

I similarly echo the sentiment that it is completely and undoubtedly worth it.

krakow, Thursday, 14 February 2008 07:51 (5 years ago) Permalink

Ohh...oh man... I have to save my dough for a plane ticket to New Zealand ... and I want that White Heaven too.... This hurts me inside.

Has anyone heard Lost Aaraaf?

RabiesAngentleman, Tuesday, 19 February 2008 14:18 (5 years ago) Permalink

Oh man that Lost Aaraaf album is fucking strange...I can't even think how to describe it. Recommended!

Matt #2, Tuesday, 19 February 2008 17:11 (5 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

Oddly enough I just bought the Lost Aaraaf album today and having stuck it on for the first time just now, I had to come see if anyone had ever said anything about it becuase it is indeed "fucking strange".

Bloody great though, it's going straight back on again once it finishes...

krakow, Thursday, 26 March 2009 21:56 (4 years ago) Permalink

I knew this would be you reviving it!

Pfunkboy in blood drenched rabbit suit jamming in the woods (Herman G. Neuname), Thursday, 26 March 2009 21:56 (4 years ago) Permalink

But of course.

P.S. Julio Desouza: I feel like he's a long lost mysterious spiritual guide or something; he was before my (ilx) era, but he's always there on the interesting threads. What's the story?

krakow, Thursday, 26 March 2009 22:02 (4 years ago) Permalink

I have two copies of A Death Never To Be Complete (won them both on ebay at the same time). I've been meaning to ebay my spare copy for about 2 years now, but never get round to it. One of the few bands of whom I have everything.

Duke, Thursday, 26 March 2009 22:11 (4 years ago) Permalink

I just paid a lot of money for that one. You should make a good price on eBay or discogs for that.

All I'm missing is "The Time Is Nigh", which I would most definitely make serious offers for anyone can be persuaded to part with it.

krakow, Thursday, 26 March 2009 22:23 (4 years ago) Permalink

*if anyone

krakow, Thursday, 26 March 2009 22:23 (4 years ago) Permalink

Right. You may think I'm shitting you, krakow, but I was just checking (and putting on) the Fushitsusha CD I have double, and it is "The Time is Nigh" and not (as I'd thought) "A Death etc". I tend to think of it as "the one with Black Cluster on it".

PM me and I'll send it to you. Better that than it lying around here for another two years. If you like (and only if you like) you can perhaps send me something.

Duke, Thursday, 26 March 2009 22:38 (4 years ago) Permalink

Oh my!

I think my heart just stopped. Just be glad you don't live nearby or I'd be running over to kiss you right now! PM most definitely sent.

krakow, Thursday, 26 March 2009 22:58 (4 years ago) Permalink

no worries! I just know that I'll never get round to selling it. (and I don't want any payment from you).

Duke, Thursday, 26 March 2009 23:04 (4 years ago) Permalink

julio is around sometimes. some variation on xyzz or something

Pfunkboy in blood drenched rabbit suit jamming in the woods (Herman G. Neuname), Thursday, 26 March 2009 23:09 (4 years ago) Permalink

Ah, I'll keep an eye out. (Waves at the mythical Julio).

krakow, Thursday, 26 March 2009 23:12 (4 years ago) Permalink

I saw Fushitsusha play at Tonic back in November '99; it was supposed to be a two-set night, one solo Haino set and a Fushitsusha set, but for whatever reason was changed at the last minute to a three-hour Fushitsusha performance that was, no kidding, life-altering. Loads of wall-topplingly loud guitar, but also an astonishing electronics-and-hurdy-gurdy drone section in the middle. Fucking awesome.

unperson, Friday, 27 March 2009 01:13 (4 years ago) Permalink

P.S. Julio Desouza: I feel like he's a long lost mysterious spiritual guide or something; he was before my (ilx) era, but he's always there on the interesting threads. What's the story?

I'd wondered the same thing. And I recognise xyzzz from avant-gardey London show threads, so this makes sense.

ambient bangers (gnarly sceptre), Friday, 27 March 2009 10:41 (4 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, he's xyzzz or whatever, and he's an A++ fellow.

Dom Cry For Me, Passantino (NickB), Friday, 27 March 2009 10:51 (4 years ago) Permalink

Listening right now to "the wound that was given birth to must be bigger than the wound that gave birth".

It is highly recommended not least for the fact that it gives good prominence to Yasushi Ozawa's bass. On many other recordings (especially the double live sets) the bass gets rather smothered in the guitar madness. This album (recorded live in London) gives some real space to the bass.

Duke, Friday, 27 March 2009 19:47 (4 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, that's one of my favorites. Also love Gold Blood and Withdrawe, this sable disclosure ere devot'd.

unperson, Friday, 27 March 2009 21:00 (4 years ago) Permalink

2 months pass...

Is the first translation of Fushitsusha, as "breathing life into non-living things" potentially valid, or not, as Tim Duke said? This is the meaning that I always had in my head.

What is Robert Musil's book called in Japanese, if Fushitsusha apparently means the same thing ("Man without qualities")?

"A very simple translation of Fushitsusha is something along the lines of "breathing life into nonliving things"(eg stereo systems) but Haino said you would have to read a really big book to even begin to understand the meaning of it"

This is nonsense. Fu-Shitsu-Sha (for it is made up of three Japanese characters (kanji) means something along the lines of "un-person". Alan Cummings has translated it as "man with no qualities". The "fu" and "shitsu" parts mean "un-", "non", the "sha" means "person".

― Tim Duke, Sunday, 30 April 2006 14:30 (3 years ago)

krakow, Wednesday, 10 June 2009 11:33 (4 years ago) Permalink

I just wrote a lengthy reply to your query and it somehow got lost...

"Breathing life into non-living things" is not a valid translation of Fu Shitsu Sha. In an interview Haino did once talk of "breathing life into non-living things", but he was not saying that this was the meaning of the group's name, simply that this was the effect/intention of its music.

不 = Fu
失 = shitsu
者 = sha

"Sha" is one of several Kanji that convey the idea of a person/human
"Fu" and "shitsu" both convey the idea of "non-" or "un-". "Fu" is very common indeed, "Shitsu" less so (although I should say my Japanese is very basic".

Alan Cummings (no less) did once translate Fushitsusha as something along the lines of "A man without qualities" (if I recall correctly). Whether this is an indirect Musil reference is a good question, and one which has not been asked of Haino, to my knowledge.

The title of Musil's literary work is however written with different Kanji to those used in Fu Shitsu Sha -- but then you could convey this idea in so many different ways.

Duke, Wednesday, 10 June 2009 22:18 (4 years ago) Permalink

Thanks Duke, that sounds pretty definitive to me. Sorry to have got you to restate your case, but it's quite frustrating to have no Japanese myself and so be completely in the dark on this stuff without major help.

krakow, Thursday, 11 June 2009 07:19 (4 years ago) Permalink

non-unhuman

?

what u arrestin me for, innit (╓abies), Thursday, 11 June 2009 07:37 (4 years ago) Permalink

non-unhuman
?
― what u arrestin me for, innit (╓abies), Thursday, 11 June 2009 09:37 (10 hours ago)

I would assume the two negatives enhance rather than contradict each other here.

I finally found the Alan Cummings note on the name Fushitsusha (and if anyone knows what it means, he does!)

Haino thought that he had coined the term himself. From the literal meaning of the characters used to write it, Fushitsusha means "a person without qualities." As far as I understand it (which probably isn't very far), in Buddhism the term refers to a process that occurs during deep meditation–after losing all sense of self, if you continue to meditate to a very deep level you will eventually rediscover yourself, but a self devoid of all qualities and spiritually pure. Nijiumu is also supposedly a Buddhist term–the literal meaning of the characters is "the merging of that which is and that which is not."
The above is from Cummings' notes at the bottom of this interview with Haino: http://www.halana.com/haino.html

Here are two quotations from Haino which illuminate what he's getting at with the name:

I was really surprised once when someone told me that the word "Fushitsusha" appears in a Buddhist sutra. On one level, if you are able to explain what "Fushitsusha" means then that means that you can also define what Buddhism means. I heard that from an actual priest, someone who has read a lot of obscure texts. That's the sense in which I use "Fushitsusha." We talked about this before – how in Buddhism nothing is the same as everything, so nothingness is not something that you should aim for

I am not an anarchist, I am Anarchy... When Buddha meditated he achieved satori [spiritual awakening, or enlightenment], and the body disappeared, that would be the end. But what physically remains after satori is what was written up by the Buddha's pupils, not the satori itself. Buddha said he's got something that he cannot understand or express in words. My job, my anarchy, which is political only insofar as not being interested in politics at all is political, what I am trying to do is to express in music the satori that the Buddha achieved but couldn't explain

Duke, Thursday, 11 June 2009 18:31 (4 years ago) Permalink

In the interview linked above (http://www.halana.com/haino.html), Cummings writes that he and Haino spoke over iced tea and cake. Which reminds me that Haino has a very sweet tooth (especially cake, it seems). So much so that he had to cancel an appearance about 3 years ago because he'd eaten too much cake and felt unwell. So much for the Lord of Darkness etc!

Duke, Thursday, 11 June 2009 22:06 (4 years ago) Permalink

Amazing.

Thanks for your help again, and for a massive genuine laugh.

krakow, Thursday, 11 June 2009 22:12 (4 years ago) Permalink

2 years pass...

Anyone picked up the new Fushitsusha, "Hikari to Nazukeyo"? I'm trying to see if I can buy it locally before ordering online. Volcanic Tongue has it for a reasonable price (with typically OTT write-up by Keenan):


Fushitsusha
Hikari to Nazukeyo
Heartfast HFCD-013
CD
£18.99

Possibly the most anticipated release of 2012, the return of the greatest rock band on the planet, Keiji Haino’s Fushitsusha: Hikari to Nazukeyo sees Haino on guitar and vocals joined by original Fushitsusha/Kousokuya drummer Ikuro Takahashi and bassist Mitsuru Nasuno (who he also plays with in Seijaku).
The rhythm section of Takahashi and Nasuno is as formally boggling as you might have hoped, with the pair playing in the kind of staggered signatures and over-lapping time/space visions of the Seijaku discs, but whereas the focus of those recordings was on birthing a form of future blues that took off from Steppenwolf, Albert King and The Doors here it feels very much as if the trio are attempting to reformulate original rock & roll moves, with a feel that’s somewhere between Scotty Moore, Eddie Cochran and John Lee Hooker, albeit wrestling with the kind of rhythmic equations that are most assuredly post-improvisation and deeply Japanese. Indeed, the album has two distinct sides, there are the ultra-thrifty insistent monochord carve-ups of classic trio rock/roll moves and there are the heady F/X saturated blow-outs, with Haino’s guitar exploding the kind of post-Hendrix vectors of Double Live while he sings in an otherworldly castrato, birthing a form of violent sacred music. At this point in time I think it’s safe to say that no one else has so successfully and rigorously disinterred and interrogated the basic tenets of rock music as Fushitsusha and to think that at 60 years old Haino is still making the most radical and searching rock music of anyone’s career is a tribute to his commitment to the specifics of vision and his belief in the potential of the form. From where I’m sitting it feels like the whole history of rock music has led up to this. Highest possible recommendation!

Duke, Friday, 18 May 2012 13:28 (1 year ago) Permalink

as if the trio are attempting to reformulate original rock & roll moves, with a feel that’s somewhere between Scotty Moore, Eddie Cochran and John Lee Hooker

I predict I will not hear what they're talking about and this will sound exactly like Fushitsusha to me.

booth traums (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Saturday, 19 May 2012 03:52 (1 year ago) Permalink

Well done Dave for that write-up. Not buying it tho' but hopefully I can see them if they come to London.

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 19 May 2012 09:25 (1 year ago) Permalink

I can really recommend Haino's new-ish trio, Seijaku. Haino describes them as "21st century blues". Two albums so far: http://www.doubtmusic.com/mart/dmf-136-7_e.html

Duke, Sunday, 20 May 2012 20:36 (1 year ago) Permalink

Yeah, I wrote about Seijaku (and Haino generally) for Burning Ambulance a while back. Killer stuff. So's Aihiyo. Got a copy of this new Fushitsusha but haven't played it yet.

誤訳侮辱, Sunday, 20 May 2012 21:03 (1 year ago) Permalink

See you all at TUSK!

only NWOFHM! is real (krakow), Tuesday, 22 May 2012 22:53 (1 year ago) Permalink

4 months pass...

Hikari to Nazukeyo

Lots, well, no fuck it, lots of hooks/riffs to hang on to. Fleeting moments of total transcendent vibery. Tightest wonk ever. Nasuno killing it throughout. A bunch of groovers to start off with then they go off on one. Only heard it via the Spotify thread yesterday but have already ordered a copy and keep coming back for more. Guess I really should go see em on Friday now!

Crackle Box, Wednesday, 3 October 2012 14:01 (8 months ago) Permalink

yeah I thought it was p cool; first time I actually felt like I 'got' it...

remtrollison (Drugs A. Money), Wednesday, 3 October 2012 16:14 (8 months ago) Permalink

Hikari is definitely more of a rock & roll proposition than usual... so short by Fushitsusha standards it feels like an EP. The new one Mabushii itazura na inori is a little longer, more 'jazzy' in a way, almost like a dryer, slightly more abrasive take on the Allegorical Misunderstanding type of sound. Nazoranai and particularly the last Haino/Ambarchi/O'Rourke collab (which is amazing) are closer to the old Fushitsusha to my ears.

And yeah, go see them live without hesitation. I've only seen the Haino/Ozawa/Takahashi lineup (at FIMAV in 1997, the show that was released as 'Withdrawe etc etc') but Haino in just about any form is always worth getting out of the house for.

alb indys, Wednesday, 3 October 2012 17:24 (8 months ago) Permalink

cheaper tickets for friday btw http://www.wegottickets.com/sct/u3H5VZqmVm

Crackle Box, Wednesday, 3 October 2012 17:43 (8 months ago) Permalink

I can't make London, but will be at TUSK. Anyone else?

NWOFHM! Overlord (krakow), Wednesday, 3 October 2012 22:34 (8 months ago) Permalink

ach, i bought my less cheap ticket already! they'd better be worth that extra £4 and the three minute walk it takes me to get to the venue.

Perfect Chicken Forever (Merdeyeux), Thursday, 4 October 2012 00:44 (8 months ago) Permalink

How was it last night?!

TUSK seems a great little festival. Fushitsusha should be amazing in the intimacy of such a venue.

NWOFHM! Overlord (krakow), Saturday, 6 October 2012 08:42 (8 months ago) Permalink

as i keep repeating to everyone who'll listen, afterwards it felt like i'd been in a fight. it was a pretty remarkable venue for them, the whole room felt oppressively thick with sound, really brutal and really incredible. john butcher's set was beautiful too, let's have everything in big old churches from now on.

Perfect Chicken Forever (Merdeyeux), Saturday, 6 October 2012 13:53 (8 months ago) Permalink

Excellent!

Star & Shadow seems relatively small, hot and dark (in generally good ways, for gig experiences) as is, let alone when Fushitsusha unleash themselves... I cannot wait!

NWOFHM! Overlord (krakow), Saturday, 6 October 2012 15:01 (8 months ago) Permalink

3 weeks pass...

ok yeah Hikari to Nazukeyo is fantastic. Second, more thorough listening is yielding many rewards

IMP of the perverse (Drugs A. Money), Saturday, 27 October 2012 21:18 (7 months ago) Permalink


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