Hotaru from Hazama by Mitsune
Hotaru or “Firefly” is an exploration of moods and harmonic possibilities in a stripped-back shamisen trio arrangement. It is played only on Tsugaru shamisen, yet is nothing like traditional Tsugaru shamisen music. It evokes a mild early summer night scene with romantic harmonies, in tribute to guitar virtuoso Agustín Barrios Mangoré. The melodies paint the image of the fluttering fireflies in the area of Kanazawa, whose lights can be seen and then again not, as they fly through blades of grass and twigs of trees. We decided to end the album with just the shamisen trio, taking us back to our roots, finishing like a mysterious and peaceful evening breeze.
Mitsune blends traditional Japanese folk with the wild and innovative sounds of psychedelic, cinematic and ritual music, crafting original compositions that breathe new life into ancient narratives. Led by a duo of female shamisen players, accompanied with percussion and bass, the Berlin-based 4-piece serves modern folklore with driving beats, raw emotion, and decadent visuals.