First album, from 1999, from the shamisen playing brothers now released onto SHM-CD. One of their best and simplest albums.

Second album, originally released in 2000, is probably better than the first, with more ideas and variety, but before those ideas became slightly forced on the later albums.

Chikuzan Takahashi was born in 1910 in Aomori, northern Japan, and died in 1998. He is probably Japan's greatest Tsugaru Shamisen player, the style of playing that has become known in Japan and around the world recently through Yoshida Brothers, Agatsuma and others. This exciting tradition derived from blind musicians in northern Japan who roamed the villages singing and narrating stories. This CD features fourteen superb performances by Chikuzan Takahashi.

Michio Miyagi (1894-1956) almost singlehandedly brought koto music into the 20th century, creating a new style of music based on western ideas. His compositions of new hogaku rank alongside his western classical music counterparts such as Debussy. Blind from early childhood, he tragically died during his creative prime falling from a speeding train. Nevertheless he left behind a formidable body of work. This CD compiles seven of his masterpieces, including his most famous piece, Haru No Umi, plus other tracks including Sakura Henso-kyoku, Kazoeuta Henso-kyoku and Sarashikaze-tegoto.

The classic composition Rokudan performed by the great Michio Miyagi. Five other pieces including Chidori no Kyoku, Godan Jo and Midare.

While the kinko style developed in Tokyo, the Tozan style started up in the Osaka area. It was founded by Nakao Tozan (1876-1956) who successfully popularized the shakuhachi, especially among young people in Kansai.Tozan moved to Tokyo in 1922 and joined forces with koto player Michio Miyagi. Many Tozan players are active in the field of contemporary music, including the great player Hozan Yamamoto. This CD consists of five of his superb performances.

Tadao Sawai (1937-97) was one of the greatest contemporary players and composers of koto (sokyoku) music. He performed around the world and his compositions are some of the most widely performed koto pieces. His music is distinguished by its intensity and dramatic quality, with an element of airiness. Themes range from the more traditonal, (seasons) and more personal expressions. This CD features five masterpieces.

Chikuzen biwa player Mari Uehara narrates and plays episodes from the classic Tale of The Heike. 7 tracks.

Traditional lullabies, children's songs, and other lyrical songs performed on the fue, the Japanese lute by a master of the tradition. Accompanied by biwa, koto, three other fue players and taiko drums. 15 tracks.

Classic recording of Japanese buddhist chants featuring compostions by Ushio Torikai, female composer resident in New York and the Buddhist monks choir Shomyo Yonin no Kai, featuring Kojun Arai and Yusho Kojima of the Shingon sect and Koshin Ebihara and Jiko Kyoko of the Tendai sect. 8 tracks.