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The second album (CD and LP) of PoiL Ueda is released. After releasing the debut record in 2023, the story continues with the epic story of Yoshitsune.You can order the CD and LP at PoiL - Bandcamp.

About the album Yoshitsune
The Heike-Monogatari depicts the epic tale of the hero Yoshitsune, who brought victory to his Genji clan in its epic war with the Heike clan. After years of war, the Heike clan was finally defeated at the naval battle at Dan-no-Ura bay. The Genji assumed power in Kamakura, south of modern day Tokyo, and ruled Japan from 1192 to 1333, establishing what is now known as the Kamakura period. Minamoto-no-Yoritomo was the general of Genji and the older brother of Yoshitsune, who swore his loyalty to Yoritomo. Despite Yoshitsune’s heroic service and solemn oath, Yoritomo still suspected that he secretly intended to take over the government, and ordered his assassination. Yoshitsune was forced into exile.

1. Kumo
(Scene 1: Funa-Benkei)
Yoshitsune and his faithful vassal Benkei are sailing at Daimotsu-no-Ura, a bay near Osaka in the Seto Inland Sea. As a storm forms around their boat, ghosts of the Heike clan appear. The ghost of Taira-no-Tomomori, the Heike commander who Yoshitsune killed in the Dan-no-Ura battle, tries to pull down Yoshitsune and Benkei to the bottom of the sea. Benkei takes out his beads and recites prayers, and the ghost retreats.

2. Ômine-san
(Scene 2: Yoshino-Shizuka)
Yoshitsune, at long last, arrives at Yoshino (today’s Nara prefecture) to reunite with his mistress, Shizuka. Yoshitsune tells her about the terrible situation he is facing, and must ask her to endure their separation once more.

3. Yoshino
(Poem by Yoshino-Shizuka)

4. Solo Ataka
(Scene 3: Ataka)
Yoshitsune, Benkei and their porters arrive at the Ataka border crossing (today’s Ishikawa prefecture) disguised as Buddhist monks. The head guard Togashi suspects that one monk (who is actually Yoshitsune) may not be who he seems. Benkei creates a distraction by shouting to his master Yoshitsune, "Go on porter, you loafer, get through there!" and beats him with a heavy stick. Although Togashi sees through the ruse, he is so moved by Benkei's faithful heart that he allows them to cross the border.

5. Kokô
Just after crossing at Ataka, Yoshitsune grabs Benkei's hand, thanks him for saving his life, and apologizes for forcing him into a difficult situation. Benkei is moved to tears. They continue their travel towards Michinoku (in the Tôhoku-area, in northern Japan) on a cold, rainy winter day, just before dawn.

On the new solo CD Kujô-Shakujô Junko Ueda sings a repertoire from the 9th century Japanese traditional Tendai Buddhist Shomyo. Kujô-Shakujô is a rare recording where you can listen to the complete nine parts of this ancient piece. Also, this CD includes the sutra text and its complete translations in English and Japanese. This CD is a most unique documentation of this tradition, which is succeeded until today without interruption.

For purchase, sound samples and more information please visit the Studio E Online Shop.

Ancient tradition says that the Kujô-Shakujô sutra has miraculous powers. We pray that evil spirits will be driven away, that the earth will be purified and that the world will be the place of peace for all living things.

On the 3rd March 2023, the first album (CD and LP) of PoiL Ueda will be released. You can order the CD and LP at poil.bandcamp.com.

About the Album ‘PoiL Ueda’: Unexpected encounter between Junko Ueda, eminent figure of the Japanese medieval epic storytelling, whose warm and profound voice summons the terrestrial energies and the organic madness of the monster PoiL practicing with cosmic rock without net. Poil Ueda detonates the limits of rock and world music. By the magic and respect of the "Ma (間)," the two universes mesh and converge in perfect osmosis. The album opens with Kujô-Shakujô, a Buddhist shômyô chant practiced by monks to ward off evil spirits. The second part of the album plunges us into the naval battle of Dan no Ura and the grievous decline of the imperial Heike clan facing the Genji clan. Junko's stories surf freely on PoiL’s tumultuous wave pulsing with brashness and precision.

This summer Junko Ueda's new solo CD Meditative Flowers has been released. In this CD, Ueda sings Shomyo: the Japanese Buddhist chanting. This Japanese shomyo chanting has a 1200 year old history and this traditional music has been continuously handed down from generation to generation until now. In this CD, with her dedication and experience of 32 years' practice, Junko Ueda demonstrates four pieces from the shomyo of Tenda-shû sect. The CD is available in the Studio E Online Shop.