Before becoming a solo taiko drummer, I intended to train as a Buddhist priest at Koyasan. As I played the taiko and had a number of mysterious spiritual experiences, I came to think of the vision of Kukai presented in Ryotaro Shiba’s Kukai no Fukei as a friend from a thousand year ago, and I found that I wanted to engage in a dialog with life in the sacred space of Koyasan.
Although I went on to become a soloist without realizing that dream, I was blessed with opportunities to give performances at places such as Koyasan Kongobu-ji Head Temple; Oyunohara, shines and temples; and Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine. I had the opportunity to perform “Michi wo Yuku Hito,” a song I had composed on behalf of the Kumano Kodo, at Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine in front of a live nationwide audience on the television program Hodo Suteeshon on the evening that the site’s World Heritage status was announced. All of these were unexpected connections, and they made me tremble. It may be that the sound of the ocean and mountains of Koyasan and Kumano, and the sound of people’s prayers and footsteps there are echoing through its long history and calling to me as I walk alone.