縁 -enishi-

About the word 'enishi' The encounters that we have and the random occurrences that we experience in our daily lives can send us in unexpected directions. The catalyst may be a person, a book, an email... or even a piece of music. In this sense, the course of our lives is influenced by powerful and unseen forces that are beyond our control. I love traveling. I try to go somewhere every month. Among the places that I have visited, Kumano, an area that borders the three prefectures of Wakayama, Mie and Nara, had a tremendous impact on me. In Kumano I encountered appealing people, majestic natural beauty, religious faith, and a fascinating side of Japan about which I had known nothing. The rich tapestry of Kumano also weaves a story about the way in which human beings live in harmony with their land. For the past ten years and more, I have been performing traditional music from Ireland and other overseas countries. My gaze has been fixed exclusively on Europe. But after visiting Kumano, I determined to turn my attention to Japan, the country in which I was born and raised, and find a means of expression that is mine alone. This CD is based on the people and natural beauty of Kumano and my experiences there. The title, enishi, is a Japanese word that is difficult to translate precisely, but in general it means a personal connection that relates to one's fate or destiny. It is given in gratitude for the encounter that led me to Kumano. Another reason for choosing this title is that the word sounds very similar to the Irish word inis (pronounced 'inish'), which means island. From the eastern islands of Japan to the western islands of Ireland, this music is dedicated to the 'you' that you have known up to now, and the 'you' that you will encounter in the future.