Compiled by Paul Fisher. 'Japan is no longer perceived as home to the worst excesses of idol pop or inaccesible traditional music. In truth, Japanese musicians have for years been skilful at blending the traditional with the pop and creating some of the world's craziest concoctions. The Rough Guide to the Music of Japan unites ancient gagaku to today's hottest roots acts, mixed with quintessential enka and post-war boogie-woogie; a collection to blow away any lingering preconceptions.'

All original albums available through Far Side. Click on Read About for the full liner notes.

1. MICHIKO SUGA Ushibuka Haiya Bushi from the album JAPANESE DANCE MUSIC

2. CHANCHIKI Yagaefu from the album GOKURAKU

3. NAMI MAKIOKA Subayado Bushi from the album SHITSURUSHIMA

4. TAKASHI HIRAYASU Koza Renka from the album KARIYUSHI NO TSUKI

5. OKI DUB AINU BAND East of Kunashiri from the album OKI DUB AINU BAND

6. RYUKYU UNDERGROUND Shinkaichi (Saru's Meditation Dub) from the album RYUKYU REMIXED

7. SEIJIN NOBORIKAWA Asadoya Yunta from the album SPIRITUAL UNITY

8. SOUL FLOWER MONONOKE SUMMIT Ah Wakaranai from the album DERACINE CHING DONG

9. HAJIME IKOMA Kawachi No Ryu from the album KAWACHI MONDO

10. TADAO SAWAI Futatsu no Hensokyoku Sakura Sakura from the album SANKA

11. KUNAICHO GAKUBU Hyojo Netori from the album JAPANESE TRADITIONAL MUSIC - GAKAKU

12. TENDAISHOMYO, TATSUYA KOUMAZAKI & PANGEA Gobai from the album ONKO CHISHIN

13. KOTSURU TADE Hara no Tatsutokya from the album JAPANESE TRADITIONAL MUSIC SHAMISEN II

14. TAKEHARU KUNIMOTO & THE LAST FRONTIER Appalchian Shamisen from the album APPALACHIAN SHAMISEN

15. SHIZUKO KASAGI Tokyo Boogie Woogie from the album HATTORI JAZZ & JIVE

16. HARUMI MIYAKO Yuhizaka from the album GOLDEN BEST

17. MORIO AGATA Tokyo Bushi from the album TARUPHOLOGY

18. SHIBUSASHIRAZU Akkan from the album SHIBUBOSHI

Co-compiled by Paul Fisher, together with Phil Meadley. 'From its humble beginnings as the small fishing village of Edo, to the megacity of Tokyo with a population of over 12 million, Japan’s capital city is one of the world’s most exciting cultural epicentres. Musically the Japanese are cultural magpies, but they also have their own rich traditions. This compilation celebrates a mix of the two, from the exciting ska rock of The Beaches, through to the meditative chants of ‘Kujousyakujo 3jo’.

CD1- CLASSIC

1. Hashiken - Kaisare Yoo 2. Eguchi Eisa - Shichi Gwachi 3. Kousuke Atari - Hounen Bushi 4. Chuei Yoshikawa with Yoriko Ganeko - Ikema Miyarabi 5. Takashi Hirayasu - Koza Renka 6. Toru Yonaha with Mika Uchizato - Hounen Ondo 7. Moriken - Shimajima Kaisha 8. Rikki - Amami no Komoriuta 9. Tomoko Kuwae with Chuei Yoshikawa- Mayonaka no Driver 10. Maricamiziki - Itokuri Bushi 11. Seijin Noborikawa - Midori no Okinawa 12. Sadao China - Umi nu Chimbora 13. Shisars - Tsuki Wa Fune 14. Sanshin Café Orchestra - Spiritual Recollection 15. Tendai Shomyo, Tatsuya Koumazaki & Pangea - Kujousyakujo 3jo

CD2- NEW

1 .The Beaches - Wikiwiki 2. Ryukyu Underground - Kuijin nu Hana (Da Lata Remix) 3. Chanchiki - Rasshoi!! 4. Morio Agata - Submarine 5. Wataru Kousaka - Jugo no Koi Chocolate Mix 6. Yasuba Jun & An Chang Project -Kumi nu Shu 7. Shabushabu - Shamisen Escalade 8. Takuji a.k.a Geetek - Tinsagu nu Hana 9. Sarabandge - Sagichijuya 10. Oki - Iutaphonic Dub 11. Nami Makoika - Chyukari Asabana 12. Sons of Ailana - Tinsagu nu Hana 13. Gender Sanshin Trio - Kagiade Fu Fu 14. Umeko Ando - Iuta Upopo 15. Oki - Tonkori in the Moonlight

Price:   £9.99

Unreleased recordings by Haruomi Hosono of music he has written between 1987 and 2006 for TV shows, TV dramas, exhibitions etc.. 1. Roochoo Divine 2. Rainbow Road 3. Walkers 4. Walking Vibration 5. Ceremony 6. Seeing Beauty 7. Lucky 8. Garon 9. Cirque 01. Pantomime 11. Tente 12. Festa 13. Afro Jane 14. Talking Dog 15. Tragic Suite Of Titanic 16. It Was Sad When That Great Ship Went Down

It's been four years since Haroumi Hosono's record label, Daisyworld Discs, released anything new. Now the label is back in partnership with Columbia Music Entertainment. With it's mantra of 'quality and originality' Daisyworld released some fantastic album since its inception in 1996. This compilation, selected by Hosono is of old and new tracks by some of the label's top artists. The title Daisy Holiday comes from Hosono's radio show, and this CD of 20 tracks is desgined to play like his radio show with little interludes, sketches and messages.

1. Harry Blewer / Minute Merenge 2. Miharu Koshi / Type Writer 3. Bo Hanks Sextet / Power House 4. Beautiful Humming Bird / Eidelweiss (Japanese Demo Version) 5. Tei Towa / Channel Ginga 6. Ren Takada / Kaerimichi 7. James Loverock / Gaia Message 8. Miharu Koshi / Rowayal Eplon 9. Humming Kitchen / Panorama no Oka 10. Takuji Aoyanagi / Kyo ga Owaru koroni 11. Various / Pon Pon Joki / Cont 12. Bo Hanks Saxophone Sextet/ Toy Trumpet 13. Miharu Koshi / Café du Carfur 14. Vagabond c.p.a. & Harry Hosono Jr. / Old Music Master 15. Haruomi Hosono, Miharu Koshi / Yume-Sore wa Dream 16. Tin Pan / Hoshizora no Strat 17. World Standard / Alegria Boricure Symphony 18. Haruomi Hosono / Great Ship Went Down 19. Kiseru / Kimi no Inu 20. Elevator / Cont 21. Haruomi Hosono & World Shyness / Hongkong Blues 22. Gen Hoshino / Daisy Omisoshiru

Price:   £17.99

Ryuichi Sakamoto, Haruomo Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi as HASYMO release a maxi single of 2 tracks plus their ambient versions. The City of Light is the theme song to the long running news programme News 23, while Tokyo Town Pages is the ending theme to the film, Tokyo!. 1. The City of Light 2. Tokyo Town Pages 3. The City of Light (Ambient Version) 4. Tokyo Town Pages (Ambient Version).

Pupa is the new group of Yukihiro Takahashi (YMO, Sadistic Mika Band, Sketch Show etc..) together with a supergroup of musicians, Tomoyo Harada (vocals) Hiroshi Takano (guitar) Ren Takada (guitar) Hirohisa Horie (keyboards) and Tomohiko Gondo (electronics). Catchy, feel-good electro-pop. 1. Jargon - What' Pupa 2. At Dawn 3. Creaks 4. Anywhere 5. Tameiki 6. Unfixed Stars 7. Glass 8. How? 9. Laika 10. Floating Pupa 11. Marimo 12. Sunny Dale Blue 13. New Order 14. Home of My Heart 15. Cicada


Price:   £18.99

Laid back, cool recordings of Balinese gamelan and singers set to Makoto Kubota's trademark soundscape and production of gentle beats, ambient and natural sounds. A mix of Balinese and Javanese music. Deeply relaxing. 1. Legian Road Morning 2. Ujuang - Banondari 3. First Snow in Bali 4. Ubud Walk 5. Bandung 6. Prayer 7. Funky Gendel 8. Dukun 9. Neleng 10. Bali Dream

First new album for three years (since Everything is in the Nature) by the YMO programmer and his band. 1. Turning Point - Epilogue 2. Hypnotize 3. Wandering On The Road 4. Digiphone 5. Sakura Ryoran 6. Thousand 7. Sweet Memories 8. Nenkororo 9. Left Handed Woman 10. Love 11. Y.M.C.A. 12. A Long Cool Rain 13. Go!! Rise!! Cow!! 14. Land of 1000 Dances 15. Some Enchanted Evening 16. Turning Point - Prologue


Price:   £17.99

Logic System was created by Hideki Matsutake, who is best known for his work as synth operator and programmer for YMO, and is sometimes called the 'fourth member of YMO'. Released in 1981, the first album is probably the most similar to YMO and features some of the same backing musicians. 1. Intro 2. Unit 3. Domino Dance 4. Convulsion of Nature 5. XY? 6. Talk Back 7. Clash (Chinjyu of Sun) 8. Person to Person 9. Logic

Second album from Logic System, originally released in 1981, some tunes composed by US musicians, give this album more of a 80s American synth pop feel. 1. Venus 2. Morpheus 3. I Love You 4. Plan 5. Take a Chance 6. Automatic Collect, Automatic Correct 7. Be Yourself 8. Prophet 9. Metamorphism 10. Equivalent


Price:   £19.99

Third album from 1982 includes a cover of YMO's Simoon. Fairly laid back sound. 1. Overture 2. Orient Express 3. Simoon 4. Armistice 5. In a Persian Market 6. Karelia 7. Wagon-Lits 8. Sofia 9. Classical Gas 10. George Nagelmackers.

Released in 2005. New compositions and re-recordings of previous material. Not one of their best. 1.Glory 2.Futur-ism 3. Je Suis Une Fleure 4.Domino Dance 5.All I Want Is You 6.Progress 7.Light In Eyes 8.Sayo-Salla (Everything Is In The Nature) 9. Automatic Collect,Automatic Correct 10.The Deep Sea 11. Musik=Airport 12.Illusion 13.Nature (Beat Musik) 14. Air On G String(Tribute To Dr.Moog) 15.All I Want Is You(Remix)

Price:   £17.99

Previously unreleased tracks from Logic System between 1983-1990, between the albums Orient Express and To Gen Kyo. 1 The Air 2. Northern Lights 3. Additional Text 4. Kaleidoscope 5. Progress 6. Take Pine 7. Traffic Circuit 8. Urban Night 9. Metamorphis

The earliest rare and unreleased tracks of Hideki Matsutake before he formed Logic System. Includes a cover of Whiter Shade of Pale and various versions of Bach pieces.


Price:   £17.99

Volume 2 of the excellent 'Japanese Songs' series- famous lyrical songs and childrens songs performed by some of Japan's coolest electronic artists. 10 tracks including Yukihiro Takahashi / Shabon-dama, Kenji Endo / Koganemushi, Tomoyo Harada + Keiichi Suzuki / Amefuri Kumanoko, Mitsuko Koike + Tomoki Kanda / Yashi no Mi and Yuichi Ohata / Oborozukiyo.

First album from 1970 from the folk rock band featuring Haruomi Hosono (bass and vocals), Takashi Matsumoto (drums) Eichi Ohtaki (guitar, vocals) and Shigeru Suzuki (guitar, vocals). The group were heavily influenced by US West coast folk rock bands, especially Buffalo Springfield, and Happy End were one of the first groups to successfully put Japanese lyrics to Western folk / rock music. 12 tracks.

Price:   £12.99

Early live album now released in a limited edition paper jacket edition. 11 tracks

Originally released in 1974, tracks from the group's three albums plus some solo material. The combination of Hosono's compositions and Matsumoto's profound lyrics describing everyday life had a long lasting influence on Japanese rock music.


Price:   £11.99

Another live album, this one with 11 tracks featuring some of their best known songs such as Natsu Nandesu, Coconut Holiday and Jun-ni Gatsu no Ame no Hi. Originally released in 1974.

Best of album from 1973. 12 tracks including Kaze Wo Atsumete (used on the soundtrack to Lost in Translation). Happy End became one of Japan's most influential groups, their legacy being heard on groups from Cornelius to Pizzicato Five.


Price:   £11.99

Third and final studio album originally released in 1973. Nine tracks.

Caramel Mama was originaly the name of the band formed by Hosono and Shigeru Suzuki following the break up of Happy End, the group soon emerging into Tin Pan Alley and the title of their first album from 1975. 10 tracks including Caramel Rag, Choppers Boogie, Choo Choo Gatta Got '75, She is Gone and Yellow Magic Carnival.


Price:   £11.99

Some of the greatest hits of Tin Pan Alley and Hosono's tunes from his solo 'exotica' albums (Bon Voyage, Tropical Dandy) including Peking Duck, Hong Kong Night Sight and Taiyan Yoko. 12 tracks.

Another compilation of Tin Pan Alley and Hosono's solo works from his 'tropical' period. This one includes Peking Duck, Cho-Cho San, Sayonara (The Japanese Farewell Song) Chattanooga Choo Choo and Hong Kong Night Sight. 12 tracks.


Price:   £9.99

2 CD compilation of Tin Pan Alley and Haroumi Hosono solo tracks from Tropical Dandy and Bon Voyage. Tin Pan Alley consisted of studio musicians and members of the band Hachimitsu Pie, and added a rock flavour to 'new music'. Artists such as Yumi Matsutoya (Yumin) and Tatsuro Yamashita were born from this sound and became superstars. 22 tracks including Roochoo Gumbo, Peking Duck, Exotica Lullaby, Ballad of Aya, Hong Kong Night Sight and Chow Chow Dog.

In 1991, saxophonist Yasuaki Shimizu, singer and keyboard player Minako Yoshida teamed up with Jamaican rhythm section Sly & Robbie and guitarist Michael Rose. After 17 years this extraordinary session finally sees the light of day.


Price:   £14.99

A very welcome mini album with some of Kikusuimaru's best yet rarest tracks that have been unavailable for a few years. 1. Kanei Gozen Jiai - Naoto Ii (recorded when he was 45) 2. Bob Marley Story '97 (34) 3. Kakin Ondo Freeter Ichidai Otoko - Sieshun Jokyo Version (28) 4. Happy (28) 5. Tatsumono Dukushi (19) 6. Kawachi no Rekishi (9)

Guitarist Tatsuya Koumazaki is joined by percussion, shibobue flute, koto, waidaiko drums, sho (pipe organ) on an album that mixes traditional and contemporary Japanese sounds with elements of gagaku, shomyo (buddhist chants) and even some Balinese gamelan. 1. Furusato / Former Home 2. The Beat of the Steppe 3. The Moon at Bago 4. Totorasu 5. Funaya (Song for Mother) 6. Nostalgia for Home 7. At a Period of Autumnal Cold 8. Stranger

Price:   £16.99

The excellent Kuricorder Quartet have recorded a new album with various guest singers including UA, Hirofumi Suzuki (Moon Riders), Masumi Hara and Shione Yukawa. Slightly bizzarely their biggest fan overseas seems to be Iain Lee of Virgin Radio, who even went to Japan to see them play live and spent the day with them in Tokyo. This album is as good place as any to find out why.

Japanese electronic musician, who has played with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Kahimi Kahri, Buffalo Daughter, Tei Towa and many others. 3 CDs + CD-Rom set originally released in 1993 is turned into a 3CD + 2 DVD set and re-released again as a 10th anniversary edition.


Price:   £34.99

One of Japan's greatest popular composers, Ryoichi Hattori (1907-1993) is credited with popularizing blues with his song Wakare no Blues in 1937. The song 'Saint Louis Blues' had been introduced in 1923, but Hattori created his own version of the blues. His songs laid the foundation for post war enka, and he was one of the first composers to combine Japanese traditional elements with boogie woogie and other American elements. This CD features some of Hattori's lesser known tunes, on CD for the first time.

Disc 1 : 1. Columbia Hattori Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Banjo de Utaeba 2. Columbia Hattori Rhythm Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Suki to Kirai 3. Columbia Hattori Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Boogie Cocktail 4. Columbia Hattori Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Sentimental Dainah 5. Columbia Hattori Rhythm Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Nainai Zukushi 6. Akira Matsudaira, Akiko Futaba + Columbia Orchestra / Utau Saxophone 7. Noriko Awaya + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Sisters + Columbia Jazz Band / Namida no Odoriko 8. Kenji Sakurai + Columbia Orchestra / Kimi to Sanpo 9. Akiko Futaba + Columbia Orchestra / Oka no Hosomichi 10. Otomaru, Hisao Ito + Columbia Orchestra / Yatta na 11. Hyakutaro Akasaka + + Columbia Orchestra / Anata wa Mujo 12. Isuzu Yamada + Columbia Orchestra / Aimite no Uta 13. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Jazz Band / Rokyoku Blues 14. Tadaharu Nakano, Akiko Futaba, Columbia Rhythm Boys + Columbia Orchestra / Soko-Soko dayo 15. Columbia Rhythm Boys (Kiyoshi Oikawa, Hideo Akiyama, Hironari Momose, Eiichi Hagiwara)+ Columbia Orchestra / Yukai na Hanauta 16. Columbia Rhythm Boys + Columbia Orchestra / Tsumorida Tsumorida 17. Columbia Rhythm Boys (Kiyoshi Oikawa, Hideo Akiyama, Hironari Momose, Eiichi Hagiwara)+ Columbia Orchestra / Arawashi-san dayo 18. Akiko Kikuchi, Nicchiku Gashodan (Columbia Rhythm Sisters) + Columbia Orchestra / Aizu Bandaisan

Disc 2 : 1. Utako Matsushima + N.O. Gakudan / Dohtonbori Koshinkyoku 2. Minoru Obata, Tomiko Hattori + Victor Orchestra / Shin Dohtonbori Koshinkyoku 3. Tomiko Hattori + Victor Orchestra / Osaka Musume 4. Ichiro Hashimoto & Miss Taihei + Taihei Kangen Gakudan / Kibo no Aozora 5. Michio Shimura + Nihon Christal Kangen Gakudan / Tsuki no Deck 6. Asakusa Michi Yakko + Nitto Orchestra / Rumba Banzai 7. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Jazz Band / Tousei Share Otoko 8. Lila Hamada + Columbia Jazz Band / Sanbiki no Kobuta 9. Emiko Akizuki + Columbia Orchestra / Buruu Muun 10. Ranko Izawa + Columbia Orchestra / Kyoshu 11. Ranko Izawa, SSK Jolly Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Wander Lug 12. Michio Shimura + Columbia Orchestra / Tango Lola 13. . Michio Shimura + Columbia Orchestra / Aozora Ikeba, Jingle Bells 14. N.O. Gakudan / Shin Kokkyo Keibi no Uta 15. . N.O. Gakudan / Koshu Ondo 16. . Columbia Jazz Band / Shimoda Yakyoku 17. Columbia Orchestra / Botan no Kyoku 18. Columbia Orchestra / Asu no Unmei

CD1 of 5, originally released as an LP box set in 1976. In 1927, Columbia (along with Victor and Polydor) was establshed and electric recording introduced. Teiichi Futamura, a male singer from Asakusa Opera, had hits with two jazz songs, My Blue Heaven (by Walter Donaldon) and Song of Araby (Fred Fischer) in 1928. The success was mainly due to radio which had started in 1925. Dance halls were built around 1920, when American foxtrot, tango and other contemporary dances were imported, replacing European waltzes that had previously been popular. The most famous dance halls were the Florida in Tokyo and the Paulista in Osaka. This CD traces the beginnings of the jazz in Japan.

1.Teiichi Futamura, Kikuyo Amano + Red Brew Club Orchestra / My Blue Heaven 2. Teiichi Futamura, Kikuyo Amano + Red Brew Club Orchestra / Sing Me A Song Of Arabia 3. Teiichi Futamura, Kikuyo Amano + Red Brew Club Orchestra / Adios 4. Shinichi Miwa + Cosmopolitan Novelty Orchestra / Valencia 5. Shinichi Miwa + Cosmopolitan Novelty Orchestra / Titina 6. Goro Fukazawa + Cosmopolitan Novelty Orchestra / Who 7. Kikuyo Amano, Kozaburo Yuyama + Tokyo United Jazz Band / Tell Me 8. Kikuyo Amano, Teiichi Yanagida + Kaai Jazz Band / Salome 9. Kikuyo Amano, Teiichi Yanagida + Kaai Jazz Band / I'm wingring Home 10. Kikuyo Amano + Columbia Jazz Bamd / Get Out And Get Under The Moon 11. Kikuyo Amano + Columbia Jazz Bamd / Ten little Miles From The Town 12. Kikuyo Amano + Columbia Jazz Bamd / Red Lips Kiss My Blues Away 13. Kikuyo Amano, Shinichi Miwa + Zenichiro Ishii Conducts Cosmopolitan Novelty Orchestra 14. Tomoko Sawa, Ren Tokuyama + Columbia Orchestra / The Broadway Melody 15. Kikuko Inoue + Principle Jazz Band / Among My Souvenirs 16. Barton Clane + Columbia Orchestra / Sake ga Nomitai 17. Barton Clane + Columbia Orchestra / Show Me The Way To Go Home 18. Barton Clane + Columbia Orchestra / Hallelujah


Price:   £13.99

Some of the most famous singers at the dance halls were nisei (Japanese second generation) singers. The most famous singer of all was Fumiko Kawabata. 1-8, 10-15. Fumiko Kawabata + Columbia Jazz Bamd, 9. Fumiko Kawabata + Barton Clane Columbia Jazz Bamd 16. Fumiko Kawabata + Florida Argentine Tango Band

1. Lover Come Back To Me 2. The Lonesome Road 3. Ukulele Baby 4. Please 5. Let Me Call You Sweatheart 6. Sweet Jennie Lee 7. Shine on, Hervest moon 8. In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town 9. Side By Side 10. Fallin' Love Agaon 11. Song of Hawaii 12. The Side Walks of New York 13. Lady of Spain 14. The Peanuts Vendor 15. Siboney 16. La Violettaxs

Excellent overview of the top singers of pre-war jazz in Japan.

1. Mitch Williams + Columbia Jazz Band / Lazy Bones 2. Mitch Williams + Columbia Jazz Band / Dinah 3. Mitch Williams + Columbia Jazz Band / St. Louis Blues 4. Harumi Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / Somewhere In The Blue Ridge Mountain 5. Harumi Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / Sing Sing 6. Harumi Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / Blue Prelude 7. Betty Inada Columbia Jazz Band / Should I 8. + Columbia Jazz Band / Take Me Back To My Boots And Saddle 9. Ricky Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / Dinah 10. Ricky Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / Margie 11. Ricky Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / Dream House 12. Tafuto Beppu + Columbia Jazz Band / St. Louis Blues 13. Akira Matsudaira + Columbia Jazz Band / Blue Moon 14. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Jazz Band / Side By Side 15. Hisashi Moriyama + Columbia Jazz Band / Moon Of Manakoora 16. Yaeko Okamoto + Columbia Jazz Band / Ali Baba 17. Dolly Fujioka + Columbia Jazz Band / Where The Lazy River Goes By 18. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Jazz Band / Some Of These Days


Price:   £13.99

The 1930s were a period of prosperity for the dance halls with stage shows. Customers (mainly male) would dance after buying tickets and giving them to the club's staff female dancers. Unlike in the west, the dance halls served as a place for the entertainment of men.

1. Ryo Watanabe + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys / Music Goes Round And Round 2. Fumio Minamisato + Takashi Sumida (guitar) / The Last Round Up 3. Fumio Minamisato + Takashi Sumida (guitar) / Serenade 4. Takashi Sumida (guitar), C. Lapham (clarinet), Tokujiro Okubo (sax) / My Blue Heaven 5. Takashi Sumida (guitar), C. Lapham (clarinet), Mitsuru Ashida (sax) / Whoopee 6. Takashi Sumida (guitar) + Hitoshi Ueda (piano) / Itching Fingers 7. Nakatsu Dance Ensemble / St Louis Blues 8. Noriko Awaya (vo), Fumio Minamisato (trumpet) + Columbia Jazz Band / Watashi no Trumpet 9. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys + Columbia Jazz Band / Tiger Rag 10. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys + Columbia Jazz Band / Bye Bye Bye 11. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys + Columbia Jazz Band / Chinatown My Chinatown 12. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys / Goodbye Blues 13. Lay E Sisters / Carioca 14. Tokiko Miura + Takarazuka Kangen Gakudan / Sing Sing Sing 15. Hisami Fujihana, Kyoko Ichijo, Masumi Harukawa + Takarazuka Kangen Gakudan / Bei Mir Bist Du Schne 16. Shizuko Kasagi + Columbia Orchestra / Sentimental Dinah 17. Zatsuon Brothers / Dinah I'm Popye, The Sailor Man, Ame no Blues, St. Louis Blues, Tabi no Yokaze, Tiger Rag

The hits of Ryoichi Hattori and early Japanese exotica with a Japanese/Hawaiian band.

1. Noriko Awaya + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Sisters + Columbia Jazz Band / Oshare Musume 2. Tadaharu Nakano + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys + Columbia Jazz Band / Tokyo Kenbutsu 3. Columbia Nakano Rhythm Sisters + Columbia Jazz Band / Ahodara Shinkyo 4. Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys + Columbia Jazz Band / Jazz Rokyoku 5. Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys + Columbia Orchestra / Yamadera no Osho-san 6. Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys + Columbia Orchestra / Oedo Nihonbashi 7. Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys + Columbia Orchestra / Kappore 8. Michio Shimura + Columbia Rhythm Sisters / Toh-ryan-se 9. Koji Shiba + Kalua Kamaainas / Kagerou Moete 10. Koji Shiba + Kalua Kamaainas / Kaoru Hanakazari 11. Koji Shiba + Nankai Gakuyu / Kimi o Yobu Lila 12. Yoshie Makihara + Nankai Gakuyu / Mikazuki no Sekai 13. Koji Shiba, Yoshie Makihara + Nankai Gakuyu / Gakuyu no Ie 14. Nicchiku Gasshodan + Nankai Gakuyu / Hakugin no Wa 15. Koji Shiba + Nankai Gakuyu / Minami no Kaze 16. Kalua Kamaainas / Neppu 17. Columbia Nakano Rhythm Sisters + Columbia Orchestra / Moshi Moshi Kame yo 18. Columbia Rhythm Sisters / Hinomaru Kazoeuta


Price:   £13.99

More of the most popular nisei (second generation) singing stars of the day such as the legendary Betty Inada.

1. Betty Inada + Columbia Jazz Band / Happy Days Are Here again 2. Betty Inada + Columbia Jazz Band / La Cucaracha 3. Betty Inada + Columbia Jazz Band / Kimi naki Hi 4. Ricky Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / I'm Following You 5. Ricky Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / The Very Thought of You 6. Ricky Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / When You're Smailling 7. Harumi Miyagawa + Columbia Nakano Rhythm Boys / Quand Refleuriont Les Lilas Blanc 8. Harumi Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / Lover Back To Me 9. Harumi Miyagawa + Columbia Jazz Band / On The Beach At Bali Bali 10. Hisashi Moriyama + Columbia Jazz Band / South American Joe 11. Hisashi Moriyama + Columbia Jazz Band / Too Good Be True 12. Yaeko Okamoto + Columbia Jazz Band / Lonsome Road (Kanashiki Michi) 13. Yaeko Okamoto + Columbia Jazz Band / Alibaba 14. Mimmy Miyajima + Columbia Orchestra / Kutsu ga Naru 15. Mimmy Miyajima + Columbia Orchestra / Ojii-san no Tokei 16. Kazuo Tanaka (guitar) Takashi Sumida (drums), Raymond Conte (clarinet) / Soshu Yakyoku 17. Columbia Orchestra / Soshu no Yoru 18. Columbia Orchestra + Shin Matsumoto (tenor sax), Kazuo Tanaka (viberaphone), Tatsuo Kato (piano) / Konsei Koete 19. Columbia Rhythm Boys + Columbia Orchestra / Aizome tsubaki 20. Columbia Rhythm Boys + Columbia Orchestra / Tarinai Song

Takarazuka Girl Opera was a kind of musical performed by unmarried girls. Organized in 1914 by Ichiro Kobayashi is was intended as a kind of inversion of kabuki, male theatre. The name comes from Takarazuka Hot Spring, 15 miles from Osaka, where the first shows were put on as an attraction. It was on the stage of the Takarazuka Girls Opera that chansons were first sung in Japan in 1927 (Mon Paris) and 1930 (Lilas). A series of French films helped to further popularize the romantic image of downtown Paris. The Takarazuka Girls also helped to popularize tango, the boom arriving in 1937, and the arrival of a French band called Paris Moulin Rouge Tango Band who performed between 1937 and 39 in Tokyo's Florida Dance Hall.

1. Mon Paris 2. Sumire no Hanasaku Koro 3. Kimi no Otenomi 4. Valentina 5. Mont Papa 6. Sekai Manyu 7. Donna Clara 8. Futatsu no Ai no Uta 9 So wa Yume ka 10. Bouket Damur 11. Hana Shishu 12. Suzuran no Uta 13. Maine Mama 14. Marionet 15. Paris 16. Seishun no Uta 17. Ware ni Utaeyo 18. Hanazono Takarazuka 19. Kokoro no Furusato 20. Mittsu no Waltz 21. Hitokuchi-Banashi 22. Momo no Hana Sakukoro 23 Aoi Moya no Shizumeba

Price:   £18.99

Takarazuka Girls Opera helped to popularize American jazz and popular songs. Before the war, jazz usually encompassed other foreign music such as tango, rumba and foxtrot.

1. Kyoiku Koshinkyoku 2. Takarazuka 3. Diga Diga Du 4. Yamabiko no Uta 5. Nosumire 6. Yamataka no Uta 7. Rainbow no Uta 8. Sing Sing Sing 9. Blue Hawaii 10. Tohki Kimi o Omou 11. Big Apple 12. Kimi wa Suteki da 13. Sakura no Genso 14. Shun Rai 15. Red Hot And Blue 16. Seishun no Suiho 17. Hold Tight 18. Penny Serenade 19. Kiiroi Basket 20. Kumoma no Tsuruhashi 21. Akai Ho no Kanue 22. Sakura 23. Sekai no Ichiba 24. Shiroi

The term 'folk' is quite seperate to 'minyo' - the Japanese term for local folk songs. Instead this was the term given to new songs influenced by US 60s folk groups, such as Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary and the Brothers Four, then a bit later Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger. The first stars of the folk movement were The Folk Crusaders.

Disc 1 : 1. The Folk Crusaders / Kaette kita Yopparai 2. The Folk Crusaders / Kanashikute Yarikirenai 3. The Folk Crusaders / Seinen wa Koya o Mezaeu 4. The Zootlebee / Mizumushi no Uta 5. Kazuhiko Kato & Osamu Kitayama / Ano Subarashii Ai o Moichido 6. Norihiko Hashida & Climax / Hanayome 7. Norihiko Hashida & Climax / Kaze 8. Itsutsu no Akai Fusen / Toi Skaini 9. Hiroshi Kamayatsu / Waga Yoki Tomoyo 10. Jacks / Karappo no Sekai 11. Jacks / Tokei o Tomete 12. Maki Asagawa / Yoru ga Aketara 13. The Rigannies / Umi wa Koishiteru 14. Jiro's / Senso o Shiranai Kodomotachi 15. Jiro Sugit / Otoko Doshi

Disc 2 : 1. Alice / Hashitteoideyo Koibito yo 2. Alice / Shushifu 3. Tulip / Maho no Kiiroi Kutsu 4. Tulip / Kokoro no Tabi 5. Tulip / Saboten no Hana 6. Toi et Moi / Aruhi Totsuzen 7. Toi et Moi / Sora yo 8. Toi et Moi / Daremo inai Umi 9. Moco Beaver Olive / Wasuretainoni 10. Moco Beaver Olive / Umi no Soko de Utau Uta 11. Rei Marimura & Time Sellers / Kyo mo Yumemiru 12. Four Saints / Chiisana Nikki 13. Lily / Watashi wa Naiteimasu 14. Happyend / Hanaichimonme 15. Happyend / Kaze o Atsumete

Price:   £17.99

The term 'folk' is quite seperate to 'minyo' - the Japanese term for local folk songs. Instead this was the term given to new songs influenced by US 60s folk groups, such as Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary and the Brothers Four, then a bit later Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger. The first stars of the folk movement were The Folk Crusaders.

Disc 1 : 1. The Folk Crusaders / Kaette kita Yopparai 2. The Folk Crusaders / Kanashikute Yarikirenai 3. The Folk Crusaders / Seinen wa Koya o Mezaeu 4. The Zootlebee / Mizumushi no Uta 5. Kazuhiko Kato & Osamu Kitayama / Ano Subarashii Ai o Moichido 6. Norihiko Hashida & Climax / Hanayome 7. Norihiko Hashida & Climax / Kaze 8. Itsutsu no Akai Fusen / Toi Skaini 9. Hiroshi Kamayatsu / Waga Yoki Tomoyo 10. Jacks / Karappo no Sekai 11. Jacks / Tokei o Tomete 12. Maki Asagawa / Yoru ga Aketara 13. The Rigannies / Umi wa Koishiteru 14. Jiro's / Senso o Shiranai Kodomotachi 15. Jiro Sugit / Otoko Doshi

Disc 2 : 1. Alice / Hashitteoideyo Koibito yo 2. Alice / Shushifu 3. Tulip / Maho no Kiiroi Kutsu 4. Tulip / Kokoro no Tabi 5. Tulip / Saboten no Hana 6. Toi et Moi / Aruhi Totsuzen 7. Toi et Moi / Sora yo 8. Toi et Moi / Daremo inai Umi 9. Moco Beaver Olive / Wasuretainoni 10. Moco Beaver Olive / Umi no Soko de Utau Uta 11. Rei Marimura & Time Sellers / Kyo mo Yumemiru 12. Four Saints / Chiisana Nikki 13. Lily / Watashi wa Naiteimasu 14. Happyend / Hanaichimonme 15. Happyend / Kaze o Atsumete

Ever since the initial folk movement of the mid 1960s, the guitar became the instrument of choice for self expression. The folk boom lay the foundations of 'new music' and to some extent, the rock music movement of the 1970s.

Disc 1 : 1. The Folk Crusaders / Senso wa Shiranai 2. The Folk Crusaders / Hana no Kaori ni 3. The Folk Crusaders / Kigen Nisennen 4. Toi et Moi / Niji to Yuki no Ballad 5. Jiro's / Anatadake ni 6. Jiro Sugita / Anak (Musuko) 7. Modern Folk Fellows / Asayake no Nakani 8. Modern Folk Fellows / Sayonara wa Iwanaide 9. Norihiko Hashida & Schberts / Nihon no Tabi 10. Norihiko Hashida & Schberts / Sasuraibito no Komoriuta 11. Norihiko Hashida & Climax / Futaridake no Tabi 12. The Rigannies / Ochiba no Kisetsu 13. The Rigannies / Hana wa Dokoe Itta 14. Emanons / 500 miles 15. Noise Hamming / Puff

Disc 2 : 1. Tulip / Gin no Yubiwa 2. Tulip / Niji to Sneaker no Koro 3. Tulip / Boku ga Tsukutta Ai no Uta (Itoshi no Emily) 4. Alice / Toku de Kiteki o Kikinagara 5. Alice / Johnny no Komoriuta 6. The Rock Candies / Dokoka ni Shiawase ga 7. The Rock Candies / Ima wa ubete o 8. Shureeks / Saraba 9. Lily / Kokoro ga Itai 10. Akemi Hirokawa / 5 x 7 = 35 (Sorekara Soreheto) 11. Four Saints / Kibo 12. Castle and Gates / Ohanashi 13. Little Maggy / Yoake no Machi o Hashiro 14. The Floggies / Sokoni Yama ga atta 15. Jacks / Toi Uimi e Tabini deta Watashi no Koibito

Price:   £17.99

By the 1970s, kayokyoku singers had become younger and younger and the term 'idol' became widely used for such singers. These were young, good-looking singers, and by the late 70s a never-ending succession of teenage singers appeared one after another. Generally speaking, 'idols' don't necessarily have musical talent, their fans not caring about such a minor detail. The image and presence is what counts. High quality studio musicians, composers and producers are usually employed to compensate for whatever talent the idol is lacking. Their success or not, is usually linked to their promotion, an idol being little more than a product.

Disc 1 : 1. Minako Honda / 1986 Nen no Marilyn 2. Eriko Tamura / Locomotion Dream 3. Risa Tachibana / Kimi wa Don't Cry 4. Chiemi Kai / Star 5. Maiko Ito / Binetsu Kana 6. Hiroko Yakushimaru / Tantei Monogatari 7. Yoshimi Iwasaki / I Think So 8. Iyo Matsumoto / Toki ni Ai wa 9. Tomoyo Harada / Mamotte Agetai 10. Miyoko Yoshimoto / Shiroi Basket Shoes 11. Eri Aikawa / Junai Count Down 12. Kaori Tsuchiya / Koi to Namida no 17 sai 13. Tomomi Nishimura / Yumeiro no Message 14. Yasuko Kuwata / Datsu Platnic 15. Pati / Ashita Saku

Disc 2 : 1. Eriko Tamura / Sukiyo 2. Risa Tachibana / Gimon 3. Minako Honda / Temptation (Yuwaku) 4. Tomoyo Harada / Aijo Monogatari 5. Keiko Okuda / Plastic 6. Yasuko Sawaguchi / Follow Me 7. Shojo-Tai / Can't Take My Eyes Off You 8. Naomi Kawashima / Gemini 9. Minako Fujishiro / Furimuite Daring 10. Kaori Sakagami / Lace no Cardigan 11. Helen Sasano / Kokoro-bosoi na 12. Tomoko Ishizaka / Arigato 13. Megumi Kawashima / Mr. Fushigi 14. Koyuki Matsumoto / Ai ga arukara Ikiteikeru 15. Hiroko Yakushimaru / Main Theme

In the 1950s and 60s, good looking young kayokyoku singers became more and more popular with young audiences. Teenage culture started to establish itself.

Disc 1 : 1. Mieko Hirota / Vacation 2. Keijiro Yamashita / Diana 3. Kayoko Moriyama / Tsukikage no Napoli 4. Danny Iida & Paradise King / Surf City 5. Three Funkies / Kanashiki Koi no Monogatari (Uwaki na Sue) 6. Mieko Hirota / Kodomo ja Naino 7. Chiyako Saito / Shitsuren no Umi 8. Kayoko Moriyama / Melon no Kimochi 9. Mari Umeki / Johnny Jingo 10. Yuki Tominaga / Pachanga de Odorou 11. Danny Iida & Paradise King / Sherry 12. Mieko Hirota / Kanashiki Kataomoi 13. Hideharu Takamatsu / Dreaming (Yume ni Miru Koi) 14. Kayoko Moriyama / Tsukikage no Cuba 15. Mari Umeki / Bobbie's Girl

Disc 2 : 1. Tomoko Wakatanbe / Clementine 2. Three Funkies / Desanoyo Twist 3. Osamu Sano, Danny Iida & Paradise King / Denwa de Kiss 4. Kayoko Moriyama / Pocket Trangista 5. Isao Bito / Aikubi Mackey 6. Gentaro Takahasho / Loneliness 7. Jerry Fujio / Indian Twist 8. Mieko Hirota / Suteki na 16 sai 9. Three Funkies / Nakanaka Mitsukaranai 10. Beni Sisters / Mr. Magic Moon 11. Yumiko Kokonoe, Danny Iida & Paradise King / Navy Blue 12. Kayoko Moriyama / Gohiki no Kobuta to Charlston 13. Mieko Hirota / Omoide no Natsuyasumi 14. Yuya Uchida / Young Man 15. Mari Umeki / Peanuts


Price:   £17.99

Group Sounds 'GS' emerged in the 60s influenced by visiting groups notably the Ventures, Animals (both 1965) and the Beatles (1966). They played 'eleki' (electric guitar) and modeled themselves on their western heroes. The Monkees TV show on TV became a big hit, and a Japanese show called 'Beat Pops' was compulsive viewing. The GS era was short lived but numerous figures who came out of it, became important singers, producers and actors. This compilation features the main artists who recorded for the Toshiba EMI label.

Disc 1 : The Wild Ones / Omoide no Nagisa 2. The Wild Ones / Aozora no Aru Kagiri 3. The Wild Ones / Aisuru Anita 4. The Wild Ones / Bara no Koibito 5. The Wild Ones / Aoi Kajitsu 6. Mops / Asamade Matenai 7. Mops / Gekko Kamen 8. Mops / Goiken Muyo 9. Mops / Tadoritsuitara Itsumo Ame 10. The Happenings / Anata ga Hoshii 11. The Happenings Four / Alligator Boogaloo 12. The Happenings Four / Tomei Ningen 13. The Tigers / Seaside Bound 14. The Tigers / Kimidake ni Ai o 15. The Tigers / Ginga no Romance

Disc 2 : 1. The Golden Cups / Itoshi no Gisabel 2. The Golden Cups / Giniro no Glass 3. The Golden Cups / Nagai Kami no Shojo 4. The Golden Cups / Aisuru Kimi ni 5. The Golden Cups / Honmoku Blues 6. The Tempters / Wasure enu Kimi 7. The Tempters / Kamisama Onegai 8. The Tempters / Emerald no Densetsu 9. The Spiders / Yuhi ga Naiteiru 10. The Spiders / Kaze ga Naiteiru 11. The Spiders / Anotoki Kimi wa Wakakatta 12. The Runchers / Mafuyu no Kaerimichi 13. The Runchers / Oshiete Okure 14. The Lions / Suteki na Elsa 15. Somegoro Ichikawa / Nobara Saku Michi

In the early 60s, kayokyoku (popular songs) were often slow to medium ballads about romance in the big city or similar; so called 'mood kayo'. Such songs featured sax or steel guitar, and a bit later in the 60s a lot of echo was added to the vocals to up the atmosphere. The influence of 'group sounds' at the end of the 60s was the impetus for rock rhythms.

Disc 1 : 1. Keiko Fuji / Keiko no Yume wa Yoru Hiraku 2. Yuzo Kayama / Kimi to Itsumademo 3. The Peanuts / Koi no Vacance 4. Hiroshi Mizuhara / Kuroi Hanabira 5. Pinky & Killers / Koi no Kisetsu 6. Shinichiro Hakozaki / Atamino Yoru 7. Takuya Jo / Hone made Aishite 8. Jerry Fujio / Toku e Ikitai 9. Duke Aces / Onna Hitori 10. Chiyo Okumura / Koi no Dorei 11. Masako Izumi, Ken Yamauchi / Futari no Ginza 12. Jun Mayuzumi / Koi no Hallelujah 13. Jacky Yoshikawa / Blue Chateau 14. Tomotko Ogawa / Yube no Himitsu 15. Ken Kuroki / Kiri ni Musebu Yoru

Disc 2 : Sono Mari / Aitakute 2. Ayumi Ishida / Blue Light Yokohama 3. Kiyohiko Ozaki / Mata Au Himade 4. Rumiko Koyanagi / Seto no Hanayome 5. Peter / Yoru to Asa no Aidani 6. Akira Nishikino / Sorani Taiyo ga Arukagiri 7. Fubuki Koshiji / Ai no Sanka 8. Hachiro Izawa / Ah Uenoeki 9. Setsuo Ohashi & Honey Islanders / Shiawase wa Kokoni 10. Saori Yuki / Yoake no Scat 11. Yuko Nagisa / Kyoto no Koi 12. Golden Half / Kiiroi Sakurambo 13. Mirei Kitahara / Zange no Neuchimo nai 14. Ou Yang Fifi / Ame no Midosuji 15. Sakura & Ichiro / Showa Karesusuki

Price:   £17.99

The second volume continues in the same vain as Volume 1 with more kayo sounds from the 60s.

Disc 1 : Meiko Kaji / Uramibushi 2. Hirodhi Uchiyamada & Cool Five / Soshite Kobe 3. Hiroshi Mizuhara / Kimikoso waga Inochi 4. The Peanuts / Jonetsu no Hana 5. Tsuneo Fujishima / Tsuki no Hozenji Yokocho 6. Keiko Matsuyama / Owakare Koshu Denwa 7. Kazuo Shirane / Hatachi no Shishu 8. Fubuki Koshiji / One Rainy Night in Tokyo 9. Shinichiro Hakozaki / Houyo 10. Teruo Hata / Aitsu 11. Jun Mayuzumi / Tenshi no Yuwaku 12. Rumiko Koyanagi / Watashi no Jokamachi 13. Sakiko Ito / Kogarashi no Futari 14. Mari Henmi / Keiken 15. Mimi Hiyoshi / Otoko to Onna no Ohanashi

Disc 2 : 1. Mina Aoe / Isezakicho Blues 2. Keiko Fuji / Inochi Azukemasu 3. Yukari Ito / Koyubi no Omoide 4. Chiyo Okumura / Gomenne Jiro 5. Saori Yuki / Tegami 6. Ou Yang Fifi / Ame no Airport 7. Yuko Nagisa / Kyoto Bojo 8. Tomoko Ogawa / Hatsukoi no Hito 9. Naoki Matsudaira, Hiroshi Wada & Mahinastars / Onnappoi ne 10. Koji Taira / Bus Stop 11. Honey Nights / Furimukanaide 12. Akira Kurosawa & Los Primos / Love You Tokyo 13. Teresa Teng / Tsugunai 14. Shigeru Amachi / Showa Blue 15. Ayumi Ishida / Anatanara Dosuru

Another excellent recording of Tokiwazu; the style of joruri narrative music used in kabuki dances. This CD of fairly rare material, performed by the great master of the tradition.


Price:   £15.99

Different styles of music accompany kabuki music, all vocal and all accompanied by the shamisen. The Tokiwazu school was founded by Tokiwazu Mojitayu (1709-81) to accompany kabuki dance scenes. Tokiwazu is quite a gentle style and can be used in romantic scenes.

The Tokiwazu style often accompanies historical which have a mystical nature as it can convey a sense of dignified grandeur. The shamisen used is smaller than in other styles with a medium size (chuzao) neck.


Price:   £15.99

Created by Kiyomoto Enjudayu (1777-1825) in 1814, the main characteristics of the kiyomoto style are the strong lyrical quality of the music and the high pitched vibrato vocals.

Nagauta is a form of utaimono, lyrical shamisen music. Created in the early 17th century its the oldest form of music that accompanies kabuki. It is at times highly rhythmical and features flute (nohkan) and taiko (stick drum) otsuzumi (hip drum) and kotsuzumi (shoulder drum). The shamisen is the smallest of all with a hosozao (narrow neck).


Price:   £15.99

The great vocalist Tokiwazu Chitose Dayu on music to accompany kabuki dance

The music that accompanies a classic dance scene in bunraku (puppet theatre). A celebratory dance that requires some very skilful coordination between the puppeteers.


Price:   £15.99

Kanda Matsuri (Kanda Festival) is a kabuki dance that dates back to 1839. The dance conveys all the atmosphere of an Edo festival, with lively music and dancing.

Fuji Musume is one of the most famous kabuki dances, and was based on ancient drawings found near the town of Otsu. A girl wears a headpiece with red threads, and holds a wisteria branch over her shoulder- one of the most famous images of Japanese dance. In Hane no Kamuro, a girl from the Yoshiwara district enjoys a brief respite in the Yoshiwara district, by playing a game similar to badminton.


Price:   £15.99

Sarashime (the cloth bleaching girl) is a kabuki dance about Okane, a strong girl from Lake Biwa who can stop horses with one hand and hold a bucket in the other. In the first section of the dance she subdues a horses, while the next, romantic section, is about love and the eight famous views of Omi prefecture. The dance ends with a lively festival dance and a fight in which Okane defeats a group of fishermen. In Asazuma Bune, a court noble performs a dance of love between a Chinese emperor and his lover, which changes to a hand dance, a hand-drum dance, with the tempo increased to the beat of a bell and drum. This dance is very cleverly and seamlessly executed and the music also goes through many changes.

Katsusaburo Renjishi is the story of a lion family, with the lion training its cubs to survive the harsh environment. These popular dances originated from noh.


Price:   £15.99

In the late Edo period, some popular songs which had developed outside of kabuki, called 'hauta' were worked into kabuki dances. Karigane is one such piece with some great music written by Mokuami. Yudachi is a dance about a lower class man who falls in love with an aristocratic women on the bank of the Fukagawa in Edo.

Tenarai is a dance the depicts the innocence of girlhood and school girls swing their notebooks, and play with a butterfly. Ame no Goro was first performed in 1841and shows the soft side of the hero Soga Goro Tokimune as he travels at night to visit his lover Kewaizaka no Shosho in the pleasure quarters.


Price:   £15.99

Kochou (The Butterfly) is a dance that portrays two butterflies flying around a lion. Shuron (Religious Debate) is a comic interlude of the dance Renjishi.

Azuma Hakkei (Along Azuma Trail) is an energetic dance that takes its themes from nature, and depicts boats on Tokyo's Takawa River. Tatsumi Hakkei is a lesser known but beautiful dance from kabuki.


Price:   £15.99

Sagi Musume (Heron Maiden) is another of the most famous kabuki dances. A white heron takes on the form of a maiden, dressed in white. The first stage of the dance represents a bitter love story, before transforming into a bright Edo maid in a flowery dance. In the third stage the dancer meets a tragic end, falling into the pits of hell.

Matsu no Hagoromo (The Celestial Robe on the Pine) is a dance based on a noh player and is a folk tale about a fisherman who finds a celestial robe made of feathers that a spirit had left hanging on a pine tree.


Price:   £15.99

Osome is dance based on the story of Osome, the daughter of an oil seller and Hisamatsu, the apprentice. Because of their social status, they realize they can never be together, so they travel to the Sumida River to commit suicide.

A middle aged woman who used to be a geisha dances on the banks of the Sumida River among falling cherry blossoms, portraying the joys and heartaches of her life.


Price:   £15.99

The music to four short dances. The final song, Kikuzukushi, is often used to teach the basics of Japanese traditional dance.

Duo En are Americans Elizabeth (koto) and John (shakuhachi) Falconer. On this wonderful album, the duo, together with some collaborators, play the compositions of Tadao Sawai (1937-1997), probably the greatest composer of contemporary koto music and a fine koto player himself. Elizabeth studied under Tadao Sawai and his wife Kazue, in Japan for many years. The clear passion and love she has for the music shines through in these wonderful versions of some of Sawai's most famous compositions. These include a quite magical performance of Tori no Yo-Ni (Like a Bird) performed solo by Elizabeth, while John plays shakuhachi on two tracks and the experimental vision of Sawai is acknowledged with a koto and violin duo on Naki Suna Yo. One thing is for sure, Tadao Sawai would be proud of his former student. 1. Kaze no Uta (Song of the Wind) 2. Tori no Yo-ni (Like a Bird) 3. Naki Suna Yo (Singing Sand) 4. Haru no Gotoku (Spell of Spring) 5. Hotaru (Fireflies).

Price:   £14.99

On the second volume, collaborators of Elizabeth Falconer (koto) and John Falconer (shakuhachi) include Jessika Kenney (vocals) Marcia Takamaru (shamisen) and Brian Falconer (koto). These two volumes of the works of Tadao Sawai followed a year long series of concerts of Sawai's music in Seattle performed by Duo-En. 1. Yurero Aki (Stirring Autumn) 2. Sanka (Song of Praise) 3. Ginga (Milky Way) 4. Manjushaka (Equinox Flowers) 5. Hana (Flourish)

Dragonfly are Aiko Shimada (vocals and guitar) Elizabeth Falconer (koto) and Mako (sanshin, vocals and ukulele). On this album they play Okinawa, Japanese and Hawaiian traditional tunes. Interesting mix of instruments beautifully performed and superbly sung by Aiko and Mako. 13 tracks. Tinsagu nu Hana (Balsam Flowers), Pupu Hinuhinu (Shiny Shell Lullaby), Mahalo, Warabi Gami (Blessings from Heaven), Tsukinu Kaisha (Ocean Moon), Tanabata no Uta (Song of the Star Festival), Ku'u Pua I Paoakalani (My Flowers at Paoakalani), Migumi (One), When Pueo Flies, Akata Sundunchi (My Heart, My Home), Kojo no Tsuki (Moonlit Castle Reflections), Hatachi Miyarabi (Youthful Beauty), Dreaming-Yume.


Price:   £14.9