John Mackey

The thing about ghost stories — the good ones, anyway — is that they reflect the psychological inclinations of the reader. They may surprise, frighten, inspire or dazzle, but at the end of the tale an impression is made only if we see our own dreams, fears, and hopes in the characters. Sometimes we’re the protagonists, and sometimes we’re the ghosts, but the magic happens in the creeping realization that what lurks in the pages might also be right behind us.

Haunted Objects (Tsukumogami) is a musical ghost story; one that aesthetically captures the spirit of a particular supernatural cultural phenomenon of Japan, as the composer writes:

I love Japanese culture, and wanted to write something that would honor its people’s traditions from my own perspective. I first visited in 2007 for the premiere of Kingfishers Catch Fire, and have been back several times since including with my wife Abby on our honeymoon.

She’s the person who first introduced me to the concept of tsukumogami, which are everyday items or tools that, after being around for a century, acquire a spirit and take on a life of their own. The idea inspired me to write music that alternated—and danced—between harmless and mischievous. I don’t consider the tsukumogami to be hurtful; they’re pranksters! They’re always reminding us that they have a use, and you should discard them with caution, as they might end up haunting you...

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