Trio featuring fue/shinobue (flute) player Yukihiro Isso with guitarist Natsuki Kido and tabla player Masaki Yoshimi. Mixture of sounds and styles from traditional to modern from three fantastic musicians.

Tomomi Tono is a leading player of the sho, the free reed instrument used in gagaku, an ancient traditional music of Japan. She has played on three of Sakamoto's albums, Gohatto, Out of Noise and Inochi and contributed to the Haruomo Hosono tribute album. Tono has created a performance called Breathing Media, exploring the capability of the sho as a sound media that synchronizes the natural reflex of breathing using sensors that are activated by the sho. On this album she performs one of the greatest gagaku pieces Choshi. Produced by and includes one remix by Sakamoto.

Now rare recordings of female rokyoku star from before and after the war. This album compiles all her reordings she made for Japan Mercury in the 1950s.

Sakon Miyagawa Show were a humorous rokyoku trio from Osaka, featuring Sako Miyagawa, Kazuo Matsushima and Teruo Akatsuki. This is their complete album, the 4 tracks from their two albums recorded in the 1970s on CD1 and 13 kayokyoku (pop) tracks by Matsushima and Akatsuki and an unreleased live recording by Sakon Miyagawa Show.

Japanese summer songs from the pop and traditional (minyo and nagauta) music worlds, performed by the Waraku Ensemble playing various Japanese traditional instruments such as shakuhachi, fue, koto, shamisen, kokyu and taiko. Music for a Japanese cafe, or tea house. Includes extensive English liner notes. Recommended.

Kyoto was the centre of Japanese culture for about 1000 years, from 794 until 1869, when the Imperial Palace relocated to Tokyo. This is an album that guides you through the city of Kyoto, the scenery, the changing of the seasons and the rich atmosphere of the old capital. Well known Japanese traditional tunes from different genres, played on shamisen, koto, kokyu, shakuhachi and shinobue. Includes unusual arrangments of 'Sakura' and 'Haru no Umi'. Comes with English and French liner notes.

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Shinobue player who debuted in 1989 as a member of Kodo and formed his own group Lebun Kamuy in 1991. Since then he's performed at various places such as shrines, sake breweries, schools and galleries, collaborating with many artists beyond Japanese roots and traditional music. This album features Mongolian morin khuur, Korean changgo, a Thai gong, Japanese koto and other Asian instruments and top Japanese musicians from the worlds of flamenco, Latin, rock, jazz and taiko music.

Group formed in 1991 by former kodo member Jiro Murayama, and shinobue player, a traditional bamboo flute. Shinobue, plus the taiko of Shuichi Hadano, also ex-Kodo, are accompanied by guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion and drums in early 90s Japanese roots music / jazz crossover. Superb musicianship on album released in 1991, a time when Japanese roots music was going through quite a metamorphis with exciting updates.

Lebun Kamuy's second album from 1999. Shinobue flute accompanied by guitar, bass and drums on mostly traditional folk songs. These include Kon Go Sho, based on the Onikenbai (sword dance) of Kitakami in Iwate prefecture, and Tora-mai based on the Hibuse no Toramai, the fire fighting tiger dance of Nakamiida Machi of Miyagi prefecture. Great album of inventive roots music.

Another excellent album, originally released in 2001, by the group formed by shinobue player Jiro Murayama. Probably the most mature of the Lebun Kamuy albums, with a distinct sound, rather than a jazz/roots mixture. Shinobue plus guitars, mandolin, ukulele, bass, drums and percussion.

Veteran shinobue (flute) player's first cover album, of both Japanese and Western songs. Shinobue accompanied by piano, on an album of easy listening music.

Hinokiya Travelling Band's album of songs for both children and adults. Vocals by Hiroshi Watanabe, guitarist and vocalist of the band. Other members are Naoto Soga (shinobue, harmonica), Megumi Shimada (taiko, vocal), Makiko Amemiya (percussion).

Solo album by Naoto Soga (shinobue, harmonica) a key member of Hinokiya Traveling Band inspired by Hinokiya's European tours from 2007 to 2009.

Fascinating CD by piano player Tetsuro Sugiura and violin player Teppei Okada. They play classical masterpieces with their unique interpretation themed on Bakumatsu, the final years of the Edo period between 1853 and 1869 when there were many changes in Japanese society. Other musicians are Sho Asano (Tsugaru shamisen), Akito Kohama (shakuhachi), Yuji Nishihara (sho, hichiriki), Azumi Yamano (koto), Senrai (taiko, Tsugaru shamisen). All in all an unusual album that succesfully combines traditional Japanese elements with Western classical music, all played brilliantly by these musicians.

Telnosuke is a player of the hichiriki, a double reed instrument mainly used in ancient gagaku or court music. Telnosuke plays his along to rather cheesy programmed beats, which has apparently earned him worldwide acclaim. We're not sure on that last bit though.

Shinobue (transverse bamboo flute) player and ex Kodo member, Jiro Murayama, plays matsuri bayashi (folk music of festivals) from ten different places in Japan. Murayama plays not only fue (flutes) but all other instruments including taiko drums and kane (bell). Impressive album.

Japanese pop songs played on traditional instruments such as shakuhachi, koto, fue, kokyu and various percussion instruments. Trouble is probably J-pop fans won't like it and neither will anyone who likes traditional music. On the plus side a couple of tracks do actually work reasonably well. Comes with English liner notes.

Xara is a project of Seiichi Kyoda, a musician and producer who combines his keyboards with traditional instruments and sounds. On this album, the musicians are Yuko Yokokawa, Mieko Sato, Rika Sato-vocals, Eishi Sato-shakuhachi, Michiyo Komiya-25 stringed koto, Takeshi Kudo-tsugaru shamisen, Ryusuke Seto-biwa, and Narukoma-suzu (bells).

New Year is celebrated in Japan a bit like Christmas in the west. This is an album of 'traditional' new year songs. Not really for partying though, more for accompanying new year food the morning after. Koto with strings and other similar mixtures. Tracks include Hibari Misora- Sakura Sakura, Columbia Symphonic Orchestra - Haru no Umi, Tokyo Vivaldi Ensemble - O Shogatsu, Toshiko Yonekawa, Hiroe Yonekawa- Haru no Umi,

Some of Japan's best known melodies compiled onto 4 CDs. Tracks include Furusato, Haru no Ogawa, Sakura Sakura, Fujisan, Kasumi ka Kumo ka, Oborozukiyo, Chatsumi, Koinobori, Katatsumuri, Momotaro, Hotaru, Mura no Kajiya, Momiji, Fuyu no Seiza, Yuki, Aogeba Toutoshi, Niwa no Chigusa, Kokyo no Sora, Hamabe no Uta, Yashi no Mi, Kojo no Tsuki, Nobara, Natsu wa Konu, Utsu Kushiki Tennen.

Re-mastered SHM-CD (Super High Material) of 1983 recording by one of Japan's top percussionists. Toshiyuki Tsuchitori has played with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Toshinori Kondo, Derek Bailey and many others throughout an illustrious career. His special interest is ancient percussion instruments from Japan, and on this album recorded at the top of Mount Unebi in Nara in 1983 he plays bronze bells dating back to the Yayoi period, about 2000 years ago. Comes with English liner notes by Tsuchitori. 1. Tatae 2. Ryusui 3. Unebi 4. Ibuki 5. Raijin 6. Reimei.

Re-mastered, re-released on SHM-CD, recorded in 1986 at the top of Mount Aonoyama in Kagawa, with this time Tsuchitori playing various ancient stone percussion instruments. With English liner notes and new liner notes by Tsuchitori.

Perhaps Tsuchitori is best known for playing pottery drums, a type that are believed to be like those played during the Jomon period (B.C.2500-3000). This album was recorded in Nagano in 1990 and comes with English liner notes and notes by Tsuchitori himself. 15 tracks.

Tsuchitori plays his ancient percussion instruments inside a prehistoric cave adorned with paintings in the Lot region of France and a cave in the famous town of Cognac. 16 tracks.

Toru Fukuhara plays fue, the bamboo flute. He studied under the great master Sanzaemon Takara, but has been a great innovator of the instrument, especially adept at playing Western classical pieces and composing his own tunes. On this 2 CD set, he plays both original compositions and three by Bach. He is accompanied by piano, harpsichord and a children's choir.

Originally released in 1970, when the 'hogaku' (tradtional) music scene was particularly active. On this album comtemporary tunes are played on traditional instruments. 13 tracks, 3 CDs detailed liner notes (Japanese only).

Fantastic new album from two young musicians of popular songs from the Taisho period (1912-1927) originally performed by Azenbo Soeda and his son Tomomichi Soeda (aka Satsuki Soeda). Oka plays Kankara Sanshin (Okinawan sanshin made from a tin can) while Kobayashi plays 'rappa nikko' a two stringed fiddle and goros drum, with some accompaniment on tuba (Takero Sekijima), clarinet (Kanji Nakao) trumpet and accordion. This album conveys the atmosphere of a bygone era, and wonderful to hear such young performers doing the songs so well. 1. Tokyo Bushi 2. Rappa Bushi 3. Omoidashita 4. Murasaki Bushi 5. Shin Dondon Bushi 6. Minatouya 7. Akirame Bushi 8. Strike Bushi 9.Fukko Bushi 10. Asakusa Uta 11. Makkuro Bushi 12. Omaeto naraba Dokomademo 13. Nonki Bushi 14. Satsuki no Uta 15. Horohoro Bushi \n

Rin' are a female trio playing shakuhachi, koto and shamisen that they mix with drum machines, keyboards and other western sounds, into a kind of ethereal new age sound. This is a 6 track mini album combined with a DVD of music clips. Lightweight pop with 'exotic' sounds added in.

Tone are Yukihiro Mitsuka (shakuhachi and group leader), Mihoko Ono (koto) and Ryoichi Soyama (acoustic guitar, synthesizer. Their music combines traditional instruments with western sounds. While interesting in places, their sound is overall quite lightweight bordering on BGM elevator music. 1. Annupuri 2. Kakko no Mori 3. Kaze 4. Chikyu-Misaki 5. Kamuy 6. Yoko 7. Shuppatsu 8. Ishikari-gawa

In much the same vain as the first album. Fairly lightweight songs combining shakuhachi and koto with guitar and synthesizers. 1. Harunire no Ki 2. Tokachino 3. Toypira 4. The Music of Earth 5. Sunayama 6. Hamanasu 7.Daichi 8. Toya 9. Yuki Monogatari 10. Hoshi no Furu Sato.

The group are based in Hokkaido and draw inspiration from the mountains, seasons and the general beauty of their environment. On this album are some exciting moments as well some other rather forgetable ones. 1. Kita Hiko 2. Tono 3. Natsuame 4. Komori Uta 5. Kiri no Hi 6. Yume Tome 7. Hana Densetsu 8. Kyoshu 9. Tabi 10. Michi

Latest album, 11 tracks of healing, new age meets Japanese traditional.

Mini album with four tracks one for each of the seasons. 1. Fuyu (Winter) 2. Haru (Spring) 3. Natsu (Summer) 4. Aki (Autumn).

Mugen is a group formed by young kabuki musician and singer Katsushiro Kineya in 2000. The group consists of vocals, accompanied by shamisen, tsuzumi (small drum) fue, lute, taiko plus drums, guitar and synthesizer. Sort of kabuki music for the modern age. 1. Kageroi 2. Toaru Koyoi 3. Yuki no Yamatoji 4. Sakura Zukiyo 5. Dan no Ura.

Hideki Togi plays the sho (bamboo mouth organ) and hichiriki (flute) instruments used in the stately court music, gagaku. He played the traditional music with the Imperial Palace Gagaku Orchestra, but has become much better known for breathing new life into the instruments by playing a kind of new age music. On this album he sinks to new depths (or reaches new heights depending on your point of view) playing covers of western classics, and Japanese pop hits. These include Romeo & Juliet (Prokofiev), Turandot (Puccini) and Japanese pop songs Sweet Memories and Yozora no Muko (SMAP).

Toru Fukuhara learned fue (seven holed bamboo flute) from the great Sanzaemon Takara, who established the fue as a solo instrument. Although usually a strictly traditional player, Fukuhara has turned into a superb innovator on this CD in repetroire and combinations of instruments. Four tracks. 1. Bach Chaconne on fue 2. Jiuta Yuki with hayashi vocals. 3. Kusano Inori - together with shakuhachi, kanze ryu noh chanting and two other fue players. 4. Sanju so Kyoku, performed together with shamisen and piano.

Stunning double CD and one of the releases of the year 2000. One CD is of traditional gagaku, ancient court music, somewhat eerie in quality. The other is Eno's interesting take on the music. Originally to accompany a book, the CD has become a runaway success in Japan. Elaborate, mirror image artwork, makes it difficult to decipher the text including English notes notes written by Eno.

Yasukazu Kano is a player of the shinobue, a small bamboo flute, who used to be a member of the world famous Kodo. This album was inspired by the beautiful surrounding of Sado island, where Kodo are based. Japanese traditional music is mixed with elements of jazz and comtemporary music, in various collaborations. 11 tracks.

As a solo artist or with his group Reigakusha, Ko Ishikawa has been expending the realms of gagaku and his instrument, the sho, taking the music in interesting directions. Recording partners include Otomo Yoshihide, and even Brian Eno and Ishikawa is a regular perfomer at European festivals. This fascinating album includes classical gagaku, his own compositions with poetry reading and guest biwa player, Kahoru Nakamura.

Hideki Togi has Japanese court music, gagaku, running through his veins.His family have been engaged with preserving and developing this ancient musical style for over 1300 years. Some might say, for the last few years Togi has been engaged in watering down the tradition, by turning gagaku into a so-called 'healing' pap. Togi has combined his hichiriki (a gagaku wind instrument) with synthesizers and western instruments in an attempt to bridge the gap between east and west, take an ancient sound into the modern world....you get the picture. On this latest album, Togi teams up with a 6 piece Chinese group called Bao from Shanghai who are playing a variety of Chinese traditional instruments. This makes perfect sense as the roots of gagaku lie in China. Nevertheless, it's still heavily marketed as healing / new age. CD extra comes with live footage of Togi and Bao playing together.

Excellent album by Japanese small flute (shinobue)player. Improvisational pieces, sometimes joined by Keisuke Ohta, the fine violin player with Cicala Mvta and Soul Flower.

12 Girls Band from China become popular in Japan (and in the USA) for being rather attractive girls playing Chinese music on traditional instruments. Groups who sound and look a bit like 12 Girls Band have now emerged. Enter Sakura Project, 6 girls playing Japanese traditional instruments, biwa, koto, sho, plus wood bass, flute and vibraphone. They play a mixture of Oriental and Western tunes. It all sounds very nice on this mini CD. Unfortunately the final outcome is likely they will disappear as fast as they emerged.

New Age / Healing / Japanese Traditional female duo on koto and flute play a bit of classical (Debussy) a bit of jazz (Take Five) and some Japanese lyrical tunes (Sakura). 10 tracks. 1.Haru no Yoru 2. Shunka 3. Byakko 4. Sosuika 5. Uyuudai 6. Amairo no Kami no Otome 7. Oborozukiyo 8.Take Five 9. Muso 10. Sakura

Zan are three young cool image conscious musicians who've learned to play Japanese traditional instruments such as shakuhachi, fue, koto and junana-gen (seventeen stringed koto). On this mini-album with 6 tracks they play East Asian contemporary tunes on those instruments. Melodic and easy on the ear.

Welcome compilation of the young musicians forging the movement of the so-called 'New Wave' of traditional music. Includes Yoshida Brothers and Shinichi Kinoshita (tsugaru shamisen), Hiroe Morikawa( koto), Katsuaki Sawada & Shigeri Kitsu (minyo-original folk), Yukihiro Isso (nokan flute),Shuichi Hidano (wadaiko drums), Rei Gaku Sha (gagaku-court music).

Young guys playing shakuhachi and koto (including the 17 string bass one). The music is a sort of watered down Japanese 'traditional' easy listening with drum machines and electric bass on some tracks. Mini CD of 7 tracks, plus DVD with 2 video clips.

Compilation of Japanese traditional 'healing' music played on koto, shakuhachi etc by young musicians. These include Kokohana (25 string koto unit) Hideaki Matsumoto (shakuhachi) Sakura Project (Japanese traditional and classical instruments). 8 tracks, mostly original tunes.

Another compilation of Japanese traditional meets New Age, this one of lyrical songs and lullabies including from Okinawa and Amami. 8 tracks from Sakura Project, Kokohana, Akito Obama (shakuhachi) and T's Colour among others.