The piece was written with the hope that it would be born from unforgettable travel memories and become an unshakeable "song." It has been performed by many trusted friends. I recall that listening to their various opinions and interpretations regarding the piece's structure, chord voicings, and other aspects was a very pleasant experience. The articulations and tempos indicated in the score are merely examples of performance methods; performers are welcome to interpret them in their own unique ways. Furthermore, depending on the situation, it can be performed with various orchestrations.

  "The Magic Garden" is a work inspired by a mysterious rectangular garden in a foreign land, namely a football field. At the time of its composition, in Florence, Italy, a renowned player named Rui Costa, representing Portugal, wore the number 10 jersey for the "Fiorentina" team and led them. His matches, along with those of Fiorentina at the time and the Portuguese national team, were fundamentally different from what is generally imagined as "ball game" football. It was different from the cyborg-like Zidane or the technically brilliant Messi. A fantastical space and time unfolded there. While I can only offer such a trite expression, I believe those who experienced that era will understand (or rather, empathize). It was certainly not ordinary. (Nao Isaji)

The Magic Garden

In the vast rectangle covered in green,

Unbelievable things sometimes occur.

6 becomes the base point, 10 opens a hole to an unseen world.

1 and 5 are the power of will.

7 draws a formidable diagonal line, 11's feet are stained white.

And 21? 21 is the last hope.

Dance, Portuguesa.

Dance, dance, dance.

A field of blue, a single point of white crossing it.

When breath transforms into song,

The purple door swings open.

What happened in the magic garden?

Dance, dance, dance.