WORK
ZEN (opera)
An opera by Atsuhiko Gondai and Harue Tsutsumi exploring Zen, philosophy and the memory of war. Masato Suzuki conducted the world premiere with Bach Collegium Japan at Chofu in 2026.
About the work
Composed in 2025 to a libretto by Harue Tsutsumi, this opera in two acts and five scenes brings the thought of Daisetsu Suzuki and Kitaro Nishida into dialogue with lives shaped by war.
The story
In Kyoto in 1941, Daisetsu and Nishida discuss Zen and philosophy. After the war, in Singapore, Nishida’s Fundamental Problems of Philosophy connects Kazuo Kimura, awaiting execution, and Seiichi Takano, whose sentence has been reduced.
Kimura leaves words in the book. Back in Japan, Takano meets Kimura’s sister Masako and struggles with having survived. Daisetsu offers another perspective on the boundaries between self and other.
Listening to ZEN
Gondai’s published statement places the emphasis on the philosophers’ words and on music’s ability to reach beyond them. Solo voices, male chorus, orchestra and shakuhachi shape the sound of the work.
The 2026 world premiere
The world premiere took place on 26 June 2026 at Tazukuri’s Kusunoki Hall during the Chofu International Music Festival, conducted by Masato Suzuki and staged by Satoshi Taoshita, with Bach Collegium Japan and shakuhachi player Reison Kuroda.
Daisetsu Suzuki: Toru Kaku; Kitaro Nishida: Kei Yonashiro; Kazuo Kimura: Makoto Sakurada; Seiichi Takano: Hirotaka Kato; Masako Kimura: Toshiyuki Muramatsu; Guard: Yusuke Watanabe.
Sources & further reading
Concerts
2026-06-26 · Chofu International Music Festival · Atsuhiko Gondai: ZEN, World Premiere →
2026-06-20 · Chofu International Music Festival · A Conversation on ZEN →