Interview with Mr. Sinobu Kurono

Could you give us a brief self-introduction?

I founded Japan’s first Chaos Magic organization — 37 years ago. Right now I run OCK and Arcanum College Japan. I’ve written many books on Chaos magick in Japan. Also! I can sell the sturdiest and most beautiful Chaos Sphere in the world. I’m also a composer and DJ. I’m a producer for Psychic TV… wait, let me check — did you mean “Psychic R Temple” as a specific name, or were you referring to “Psychic TV”? I’ve translated it literally as written below, but wanted to flag this in case it’s a transliteration of an existing group name.

I’m a composer and DJ. I’m a producer for Psychic R Temple.

What are your hobbies?

Tending roses. Spending time with my wife. I also enjoy MMORPGs.

Why did you study magic?

Because it was all there was for me at age 8. The GD’s writings were useful — Japan only had GD at the time.

What was the first magic you learned?

GD magic. By age 12 I’d progressed to the Portal grade.

Have you ever practiced witchcraft?

As a child. As an adult, I’ve performed rituals with a well-known Wiccan in Japan, though I’m not sure that counts as “practicing.”

Tell us a sigil magic success story.

Since everyone else posts wonderful success stories, let me tell a scary one instead — which is, in a sense, a success story too.
I used a sigil to experience “wolf karma.” When I came to, I was on the roof of my apartment building, in the middle of jumping to the roof of the neighboring building. My mouth was full of feathers and bones. The taste of ammonia made me want to throw up. At the hospital I was given deworming medication and antibiotics. I must have eaten a starling. It was definitely a wolf — all I remember is that I was starving. For a few weeks after that, dogs and cats were afraid of me.

What magical ideas are currently mainstream in your world (your circle)? Also, what’s the ratio of Thelema, Golden Dawn, and Wicca practitioners?

There are a lot of self-proclaimed magicians and witches. When you mention Gardner to self-proclaimed witches, they don’t seem to understand what you’re talking about. Many self-proclaimed magicians and witches in Japan are actually fortune-tellers.

What magical tool do you use most often?

The Chaos Wand.

Are there limits to learning magic self-taught?

Yes, I think so. It’s like raising a child on nothing but cake and ice cream — in Japan, people only emphasize the parts they like, without any concept of shoring up their weak points.

Will the future legalization of psychedelics affect Chaos Magic?

Yes, for those who need it. I saw a post from an Arcanum College member saying they wanted to smoke 5-MeO-DMT and get into an isolation tank — I think that’s dangerous. Psychedelics give users revelations, and there’s a strong tendency to believe those revelations didn’t originate from oneself.

Could you briefly explain why sigil magic works?

We tend to explain it using the concept of the subconscious, or talk about the collective unconscious — mostly Jungian ideas. I’ve been trying to think of an explanation that doesn’t rely on Jungian or psychological language, but honestly, it’s unfortunate that psychology and Jung are so central that I can’t explain it without them.

Is having a child recite the Book of the Law child abuse, or is it a good thing?

This happened in Japan. The answer is the same as what everyone overseas has already said.

What do you think of inexperienced beginners using sigils to try to control lucid dreaming or astral projection?

The simplistic approach of “sigils can solve anything” is mass-producing fools.

Peter Carroll has said “VR and AI destroy the imagination, and money should be spent on real-world experiences instead.” What do you think?

I’d agree. In fact, the AI magician who created Pete’s memorial banner actually believed it was Pete until we pointed out otherwise. I think it comes down to how AI is used. When a mediocre magician uses AI, mediocre results follow.

On Discordianism: Peter Carroll has said “long-term worship of Eris is dangerous, and Discordianism in Japan is mistaken.” What do you think?

Yes. I think Japanese Discordianism attracts people capable of seriously turning even their own parents’ or family’s death into a parody. If Pete’s family is upset that his death was turned into a joke, my lawyer will act as my representative and fight it out in court anytime. Also, using a word like “Hail” is doing something internationally out of the ordinary — I’ll fight this as a Chaos Knight.

Please give some advice to Japanese magicians.

This is advice for everyone overseas instead.

I think you all know the Heart Sutra. The KIA clearly shows the answer within it — please do read it. Also, this time I’m opening Arcanum College Japan, which I discussed with Pete while he was alive. I’ll be introducing several courses on Japan Magic, including on Youkai as well. I also want to properly educate aspiring magicians in nearby South Korea. Pete’s ideas had reached Korea too! That’s remarkable for Asia. Are there any Choists in Taiwan? In China?

Japanese magic will take flight through the anthology I wrote (the theme was chosen by Pete).

 Directory of Modern Magicians　＞　Sinobu Kurono