The Japanese music scene has lost one of its brightest talents with the sudden death of Fujifabric vocalist Masahiko Shimura on Dec. 24. He was 29.

Shimura’s death was announced on the band’s website on Dec. 25. It is unclear what caused his death; the announcement states that a medical examination had not yet determined what Shimura’s “illness” was.

“Given his sudden death, other members and staff are at a loss,” it continued, adding that while Fujifabric’s future is undecided, band members Daisuke Kanazawa (keyboards), Shinichi Kato (bass) and Soichiro Yamauchi (guitar) will continue their musical activities. All of Fujifabric’s upcoming gigs have been cancelled, including the band’s scheduled Dec. 30 appearance at the Countdown Japan festival at the Makuhari Messe venue just east of Tokyo.

Fujifabric was formed in 2000 by Shimura and drummer Takayuki Watanabe after they graduated from the same high school in the city of Fujiyoshida, just to the north of Mt. Fuji. The band took its name from the textile company owned by Watanabe’s father.

Fujifabric made its Tokyo debut in October 2001 at Club Eggsite in the Japanese capital’s Shibuya district, and soon attracted attention with its highly original and unclassifiable blend of musical styles such as power pop, progressive rock, jazz and even disco. Echoes of the Doors and Japanese traditional minyo folk melodies could be heard in the band’s eclectic sonic collage.

After releasing two mini-albums on independent Tokyo-based label Song-Crux, Fujifabric was signed by Toshiba-EMI (now EMI Music Japan) in 2004. That year also saw Watanabe leave the band due to alleged “creative differences.” Fujifabric’s most recent album, Chronicle, reached No. 8 on the Oricon album chart following its May 20, 2009, release.

Through the years Fujifabric has experienced several personnel changes. With the untimely loss of Shimura, its main creative force, Fujifabric’s future is unclear.