An amazing experience for me! Visiting Japan, hosting Japanese poets, a couple of small tours, nearly ten collaborations, many adventures had and friends made. Below are videos of my performances in Japan, during January 2023, as well as a travelogue, and photographs. Here can be found all the info and documentation www.stevenjfowler.com/japan

Five collaborative performances in Japan, January 2023 - Please have a watch

Fukuda pero at BUOY in Tokyo : We worked to the abandoned Onsen we happened to be in, with nothing planned but a vague concept of spiritual healing. Pero and I grew into this, from our first collaboration in London, and his reiki was a grand touch.

Kyoko Yoshida at the temple in Kyoto : Based on the concept that I was a Tengu, a mountain goblin spirit, and I hid behind the shrine before the event in order to emerge after Kyoko’s prayers. She was so good at improvising this one out, and the audience was quietly confused while being supportively receptive.

Miya and Yoshi Hogyaku at Whiz Cafe in Tokyo : Having met the wonderful Miya and Yoshi the day before, and their being very experienced improvisers, in music and poetry, we had no plan at all. I asked them just before we went on if it was okay if we walked around. That was it, apart from the fact some of the things I said were things said during our first meeting lunch.

Corey Wakeling at Whiz Cafe in Tokyo : As you can see from the footage, Corey asks me to collaborate with him as I’m sat there filming him, with no notice, and I also didn’t quite understand what he whispered to me as I stood up. All the better

Bajan Fujisawa at the temple in Kyoto : During the intermission of the event Bajan asked me, through Pero translating, if I’d improvise some talking as he played the tabla. I said yes. And watching him open, I felt a responsibility to be sincere.