Seems like a sennin is in town. This mythical Japanese being has supernatural powers -- he can fly, ride clouds and make the winds blow. And he's certainly whipping up a storm in Kyoto. A gale is battering the city and there's something of a musical hurricane blowing in the small rock bar Uh-La-La in the Saiin district.

Guitars thrash wildly. Drums are beaten sadistically. And ripping through the noise like a crucified devil is the shriek of a creature that seems half-human. This emaciated, bearded beast is naked bar a pair of silvery blue shorts. Behind the long, straggly hair his eyes burn with terrifying intensity. When he isn't screaming, he makes chewing motions with his mouth as if he's gnawing on an invisible bone. In other words, we got a freak show on our hands with a New York Dolls-on-speed soundtrack. Say hello to Nokemono.

And now the sennin is about to demonstrate his flying abilities. . . . Toward the end of the first song he leaps from the stage and perches precariously on the back of a chair. He sways. He wobbles. And then CRASH! He flies backward toward me. I try to catch him, but fail. He ends up a crumpled heap on the floor. The crowd exhales a universal sigh. Then they go quiet. Is he OK? Within seconds he's back on his feet, albeit grimacing and clutching his side, and he jumps on to a table. The rock 'n' roll voodoo continues.