Here is the irregular series unique to this magazine, "Isshi's Road Through History: the way of Kagura, Part 6." The theme this time is 'Yuugen no Hito', the second track recorded on the album Miyako. This song is a work from approximately 4 years ago, but how did you feel when you listened to it again this time, Isshi-kun?
Isshi: No way~ It's been 4 years hasn't it? I thought it was a little different now.

To get straight to the point, first of all about the voice quality, it feels that the way your voice is now has a different nuance.
Isshi: It goes beyond the technique and such, in short I sang with a fighting spirit. It was a time when I consciously sought for a higher and higher singing range, so when I think about it now, wasn't it a song that marked a transition period?

Well, what was your reason for taking up "Yuugen no Hito" for this time?
Isshi: It's thematic. I say that, but recently it's also suited to diviners.

Speaking of diviners, the entirety of the album "Miyako" is something that paints a diviner-like worldview with its words as it's played through, isn't it?
Isshi: That's right. At the time of "Miyako", I was reading Yumemakura Baku's Onmyouji series and "Miyako" became an album with that kind of influence. But recently I finished reading Togashi Rintarou's complete 10-volume series called "Onmyouryou" and that's also incredibly interesting. So, with diviners in mind, I chose this song.

Well, I think we should have an explanation of the song "Yuugen no Hito" from you here, Isshi.
Isshi: This is in contact with the prologue on "Miyako" right? The subject is that such people draw out a story henceforth.

But the word "Yuugen" is a word that indicates the threshold of earthly life and the underworld isn't it?
Isshi: Yes. Therefore, the "Yuugen no Hito" I mention here means a person who can freely come and go between those places. ...No, strictly speaking, they become someone who is both a person and one of the dead.

That's deep.
Isshi: And at the same time, there are cases when the word "yuugen" is used even in the real world. For instance, people who are shown things like divine possession by people in Noh and Kyogen seem to represent the subtle and profound dances with such expressions as "yuugen". And I think such things actually get through in part to people themselves.

That is to say, have you yourself felt the divine-possession-like world of the subtle and profound while on stage thus far?
Isshi: That I have. There are many times in which I subconsciously become that way when I truly get into a song. So, when I become like this, one way or another it isn't about dimensions. It takes form on the live DVDs, but as for the song it's more than whether I'm skilled or sing clearly, it's practically a scene in which I feel like "This is a song I can absolutely only sing at this time."

That sense, did you have it even when you sang "Yuugen no Hito" in the past?
Isshi: Mm. When I talk about that, the key of this song is pretty high isn't it? To speak frankly, it has a strong image that was difficult to sing. (wry smile)

That's a little unfortunate. (laughs)
Isshi: Also, my costume at that time was terribly heavy (note: it was a style like a shrine maiden). It was hot to sing while wearing that, and it was difficult, and it may have given another meaning to 'I've seen the world of the subtle and profound'. For me, it was like 'Am I dead?' (laughs)

Though that's partly a joke, I think you have some of the world of the subtle and profound, yourself, Isshi?
Isshi: Yeah. It's something I'm half in doubt and half convinced about, but I feel that it'd be good if there is one.

That's the same as your stance on Youkai isn't it, Isshi?
Isshi: After all, whether it's youkai or the world of the subtle and profound, when it's thought about to its logical conclusion it's certainly humans who have come up with it right? When I consider it, humans themselves think they're the universe.

Previously, Isshi, you were saying you don't have a sense for seeing the supernatural yourself, but has the world of the subtle and profound felt familiar at all so far?
Isshi: I don't quite understand what you mean by that? But one thing has been on my mind a little bit lately.

What kind of thing was that?
Isshi: At my house I have a floor 1 and floor 2, and on the second floor I've placed the remains of my dog who passed away last year. I diligently offer flowers and meals there. During this period there was a sound like scratching in that area.

Eh?
Isshi: Because my other dogs are always on the first floor. So it's unnatural. However, my room is in total darkness when I'm sleeping, so I couldn't see a figure or anything at all. That kind of thing has gone on a few times.

Well, was that around times like O-bon?
Isshi: That's exactly right. I don't have a sense for dates at all, but when I noticed I thought 'That day?'

It's a mystery isn't it...
Isshi: Ahh, but I think about whether that kind of thing is a phenomenon born from the strength of my own emotions, or a phenomenon that can be felt. It feels like a certain kind of illusion.

Something like self-hypnotism?
Isshi: Therefore, I think something like a curse is near me. Even speaking of curses, and what kind of things are important, I get the impression that I'm not so much cursing a companion as being cursed by a companion, or something like that.

At the same time, people themselves feel guilt with regards to such things don't they?
Isshi: That's right.
 
Well, a person who doesn't seem to be evil at all absolutely couldn't put a deadly curse on someone, even as a resourceful diviner, could they?
Isshi: I guess. (laughs) It's an inactive placebo. Unless they were to do something about it, I wonder that even their curses are no use...