Interview with Asakusa Jinta's Osho

Asakusa Jinta toured in Europe for the first time in August 2007. Their schedule was very hectic but before gig at the Helsinki Festival, the vocalist/bassist Osho sat down with us for a talk.

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First of all, your latest album Sky "Zero" is great. Can you tell us something about how you made it?

Osho: One of Sky "Zero"'s concepts is to start local and become global. I think the album shows that spirit.

A while ago you performed in the United States and now you are in Europe. Have these foreign tours been what you expected?

Osho: I have the impression that in the United States we got a very quick response over a short period of time, whereas in Europe we are getting a deeper response.

Death March Kantai's music was darker and heavier compared to Asakusa Jinta's. Have you considered going back to that style?

Osho: Death March Kantai. (Osho and the manager both seem a little surprised. After the initial shock, the question gets translated to Osho and he answers slowly, while seeming to ponder over it.)

Osho: I've never thought that I have changed from Death March to Asakusa Jinta...the spirit is always there. But I...hmm. In Asakusa Jinta it's very important to be in Asakusa, to start from there. The place is very unique. I think that's what makes it different from Death March Kantai. In Death March we're searching for an inner world, while in Asakusa Jinta we go out to the world, outside. To outerworld. (laughs)

You wear rather original clothes. Who plans your look?

Osho: We just wear whatever we buy from Asakusa. (laughs) If you moved to Asakusa, you'd start to do the same thing! (everyone laughs) The city has such a unique atmosphere.

The songs on your album Sky "Zero" have names in both Japanese and in English, for example Norusoru which is also Ride & Bend Why is that?

Osho: There are a couple of reasons. At first, when designing the cover art, it seemed like a great combination to have both Japanese and English. Plus, I thought adding English would be helpful for people abroad.

Would you tell us something about the lyrics? How do you create them?

Osho: I'm always thinking about things no matter what I'm doing: reading books, eating, walking around town...I keep those thoughts and turn them into something complete when we're recording. When I was in Death March I had to do about 80 songs a year and that left me in the habit of always thinking.

Another question about you: You've used the name Dynamite Osho before, where does this nickname come from?

(Osho laughs a little and asks to borrow the translator's pen and paper. He illustrates his answer with great concentration.)

Osho: (In English) My name is... Naoki. (writes the kanji of the name)

Translator: Naoki is his real first name.

Osho: ...Osho... (he writes this, then circles then the same kanji characters found in both names)

Translator: Osho means Buddhist priest.

Osho: Yeah...I was named Naoki after a real Buddhist priest.

In Death March Kantai I was sort of explosive in energy (laughs), like dynamite. That's where the 'dynamite' is from.

You are a great live band. Have you considered releasing a concert on DVD?

Osho: We have been talking about making a DVD.

We'd like that. It's a good idea.

Osho: (In English, shyly) Thank you.

We asked Osho to write a message for our readers and he thought about it for a long time. The translator explained Osho's message to mean "we are coming back again, again and again". It's worth mentioning that during the concert the band promised to return to Europe, possibly as early as next summer - they seem to be very determined about this.

After the interview we continued to chat a while longer about Japanese music in general but also about Death March Kantai, which especially seemed to amuse Osho.

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A great thank you to Helsinki Festival's Anni Syrjänen and Timo Haapanen, and to the tour manager/translator Yoji Matsumura. Photos were taken by Marianna Laitinen.