Zen Musicianship Transcends Boundaries in France

Private

Aug 26

Written By Tateki Matsuda

Coupon Code TATEKI

Summary & Key Takeaways

Yogetsu Akasaka performed at Les Dominicains de Guebwiller, a restored 13th-century monastery in Alsace, France.
August 23rd: an acoustic yoga session with yoga teacher Rachel. The next evening: Yogetsu's sold-out solo sound journey.
He chanted "Om Mani Padme Hum" and intoned the Heart Sutra—7th-century scripture in a medieval church.
I brought my family along; my wife's first EU trip in four years.

les dominicains, Guebwiller, France

What a ride it's been with Yogetsu Akasaka since our project officially started last June. I accidentally became his manager, and I've loved watching his music gain popularity across the globe.

This time, tradition met modern artistry at the historic Les Dominicains de Guebwiller in France. I brought my family to Guebwiller too—this Alsatian town is special to us. My wife hadn't been to the EU in four years, so sharing my work while she enjoyed a vacation meant a lot.

The 13th-century Dominican monastery and church have been meticulously restored over the decades. Touring the grounds, I could feel the history. Yogetsu would perform in a space that has witnessed eight centuries of worship and artistic creation.

On August 23rd, Yogetsu collaborated with yoga teacher Rachel for an acoustic session—gentle vocals and acoustic hand-pan. As the harmonies filled the sanctuary, attendees flowed from pose to pose, the music guiding their movements like a river.

The next evening was the main event: Yogetsu's solo sound journey concert. When he stepped on stage in full Zen regalia, you could feel the excitement build. The sold-out medieval church was dimly lit, the lighting dancing with the music's reverberations.

Yogetsu combined ancient and modern, from beatbox to electronic looping. One highlight: his chant of the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum." In Buddhism, this invocation of wisdom and compassion purifies negativity. The steady, hypnotic rhythm of his voice washed over the audience.

Then Yogetsu brought out his prized possession—a scroll inscribed with the Heart Sutra, one of the most essential texts in Mahayana Buddhism. Hearing him intone the ancient Sanskrit verbatim sent a chill down my spine. This scripture about the nature of reality has been passed down since the 7th century.

As the set progressed, Yogetsu stacked layer upon layer of sound—a dram, throat singing, and a looping machine. The final piece mixed chanting with live loops, its otherworldly timbre echoing through the church like a call from the cosmos.

Afterward I watched the audience: tear-filled eyes, blissful faces. Yogetsu got a rapturous standing ovation. He blends ancient tradition with modern beats and takes listeners into the gap between thoughts, where real peace lives. The sight of Zen robes next to high-tech gear makes its own kind of statement. As his manager, I couldn't be prouder watching him bridge cultures and evolve as an artist. He turns ritual into riff and mantra into melody. The nomadic musician's life gets crazy sometimes, but the rewards are ample—his concerts leave crowds spellbound, uplifted, and reminded that music unites us all.

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