Live DVD of the koto player performing three Michio Miyazaki tunes, a requiem for the Tohoku tsunami victims written by Hozan Yamamoto and Tadao Sawai's best known piece Sanka. Accompanied by Hozan Yamamoto (shakuhachi) on Ichigen Ikkan and Mitsuko Tenmma (violin) on Haru no Umi. Performed in October 2011 at Kioi Hall in Tokyo.

Film of a solo concert performed in December 2010 at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo. This was the second time Hayashi had performed a series of solo concerts at this famous venue, the first one being eleven years ago. Special guests are Iwao Furusawa (violin), Ryuta Suzuki (organ) and shomyo (Buddhist chants) by Shingon sect Buzan monks.

Taiko group with eight female and four male players formed in 1997 and probably the most active taiko group internationally. Live DVD of a performance at Club Morph, October 2010 in Tokyo. NTSC, 90 mins.

NTSC, Region Code 2, with some English. Film of a Tsugaru Jamisen (shamisen) concert held at the Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments in 2008, performd by Atsushi Tada, Shizuka Iwasaki and members of the Tsugaru Jamisen Circle from Hirosaki University in Aomori. Live performance plus talk about the Tsugaru Jamisen. 33 minutes.

Toshiharu Togi was born in 1929 into the family that's inherited gagaku for over a thousand years and was the former head of the Imperial Household Gagaku (court music) Department. This is a live DVD of a performance in Tokyo in 2010 by artists from the Gagaku Doyukai, the organisation who train gagaku performers and leaders founded by Hironori Sono (1926-1998) who was also born into a gagaku playing music family with a long history and tradition. Toshiharu Togi playes koto and performs several ancient dances, including Saishoro a dance which was revitalized by Togi in 2007. This DVD includes footage of the rehearsal as well. With the large orchestra and elegant beauty, this is the ultimate performance of gagaku. 102 minutes, comes with a booklet of performance photos and notes about each song. NTSC Region Code 2.

Live DVD of taiko player who has had long career and plays regulary with Eitetsu Hayashi. Taniguchi is accomapnied by two other taiko players and Hiroyuki Isso (nokan, fue) and Akito Kohama (shakuhachi). A superb collaborative performance that took place in Tokyo in 2010.

Was £29.99. Various live footage of Shisas shot between 1997 and 2003, and dedicated to one half of the female duo, Yoshie Uno, who died in 2009.

Live footage of An-chang Project live in Taipei, June 2002. An-chang Project are Jun Yasuba (vocals, sanshin), Yoshie Uno (vocals, sanshin, taiko, sanba, dance), Natsuki Hattori (electric guitar), guests are Wataru Okuma (clarinet), Miwazo Kogure (chindon taiko) and Matahari Boys (dance).

DVD on how to play Kunimoto style shamisen includes rock, blues and ballads.

Documentary following the last goze, Kikui Sugimoto and her two students Shizu Sugimoto and Kotomi Nanba, filmed in 1971. This fascinating film delves into the world of these blind women musicians who have been plying their trade around 400 years.

DVD of how to play rokyoku shamisen, perfomed by Toyoko Sawamura with guidance by Takeharu Kunimoto.

DVD of shomyo or Buddhist chants. This is a performance of Shushoue, a new year event with long a tradition and history. Performed at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall in February 2009. NTSC Region Code 2

DVD of shomyo, Japanese Buddhist chants. Performance of 'Rishukyo', the Buddhist scripture that came to Japan via India and China. Performed at Osaka Izumi Hall in February 2007.

Filmed in Tokyo 2007, 94 minutes, NTSC Region Code All. More than 1000km south of Tokyo, lie Ogasawara Islands and Palau, where traditioal performing arts are deeply rooted in the culture of the people. The only inhabited ones are Chichi-jima and Ha-ha-jima, sometimes called the Galapagos of the Orient due to the rich fauna and flora and distinctive eco-system. The islands were claimed from the British in 1875, occupied by the US from 1945 and returned to Japan in 1968. The islands are both Japanese and Micronesian, with a strong influence from Polynesia. The unique music and culture reflect this history, the dance style a mix of foreign and local elements.

Aogashima is a small island about 300 km south of Tokyo with a population of about 200. This is a DVD of extremely rare spiritual celebrations that have been performed for the first time outside of the island. Aogashima has long been isolated and retains a unique cultural identity and religion that stretches back centuries. The festivals and practices are not officially shinto with no official organization of the faith. Aogashima's isolation has kept this rare folk tradition alive.

DVD of live performance by Chujiro Matsunaga, a nagauta singer, and winner of Japan Traditional Cultures Foundation Award in 2008. Born in 1967, he is one of the most successful artists of his age in kabuki, joruri (bunraku) and similar fields in recent years. Performs with Chuichiro Matsunaga (shamisen), Roei Tousha (narimono) and other musicians. 45 minutes NTSC Region Code All.

6th Hogaku concours, a traditional music competition, this DVD featuring the finals of the juniors and seniors playing koto, shakuhachi and other traditional instruments.

The wonderful Umekichi, who sings and plays Edo style shamisen music, live at the Theatre Apple, Shinjuku, Tokyo in March 2008. She is accompanied by a group of musicians and the dancers 'Otemoto Shachu & Kotobuki SIsters' and guest shamisen player Atsuhide Fujimoto. Great versions of classics such as Tokyo Boogie-Woogie, Shamisen Boogie-Woogie and Tokyo Ondo.

Norihiko(Gaho) Sakai is a renowned koto player and composer of the Ikuta school. He performs together with Kazuko Sakai, Mikio Tani, Sumiko Ayabe (17 stringed koto), Hideyuki Hitomi, Sachiyo Abe, Reiko Miyake (san-gen), Keizan hamane, Yasunori Tani (shakuhachi). 7 tracks, 60 minutes of beautiful traditional music. NTSC, Region Code 2. 1. Kojo no Tuski for Solo 2. Small Pieces for Concert for Children and Beginners (Sakura Carlarin, Tonkororin, Aki no Sho-kumikyoku) 3. Poem 4. Tenjin Shikyoku 5. Two Classics (Gakkyo no Toki, For Elise) 6. Genso-kyoku 'Reki' 7. Kyoso-kyoku-fu 'Tsuyama no Sato'

First DVD from the excellent young shamisen player and performer of kouta (short shamisen songs) in concert from Tokyo. 80 minutes plus special feature (15 minutes). Artists are Mika Shigemori (vocals, shamisen), Yukino Yamamoti (vocals, shamisen), Harumi Mochizuki (hayashi), Kiko Katada (hayashi), Rio Tosha (fue). 1. Dodoitsu 2. Sanosa 3. Hahha Kudoki 4. Akebono 5. Gosho no Oniwa 6. Atsumori 7. Nasu to Kabocha - Ume wa Saitaka - Mushibue - Hagi Kikyo (Medley) 8. Nekoja Nekoja 9. Niagari Sumo Jinku 10. Dangoe 11. Shuran Doshi 12. Uso to Makoto 13. Karakasa - Yakko-san - Asai Kawa - Sawagi 14. Kappore 15. Yojo no Hashi kara

This series of DVDs features a collection of 5 minute programmes aired by Japan's national broadcaster NHK to introduce Japanese traditional music. Each one lasts between 60-70 minutes and is a great introduction to instruments, styles etc..This one focuses on the big three instruments, demonstrating how they are played and their significance and role in Japanese music. Special feature; Tsugaru shamisen and Nagauta Shamisen. Japanese only (no English subtitles) Region Code 2 NTSC.

Intoduction to the various types of fue (flutes) such as nohkan and shinobue, the various types of taiko drums and dagakki, percussion instruments such as kozutsumi and various bells. Special feature is on kokyu (bowed lute) and shamisen. Japanese only (no English subtitles) Region Code 2 NTSC.

DVD that introduces some of the basic forms of Japanese traditional performance. These include nagauta (long song), gidayu (narrative shamisen genre) gagaku (court music) with an introduction to each instrument such as sho, hichiriki and ryuteki and ohayshi gakki (percussion ensembles) Special feature: biwa & heikyoku (music dealing with The Tale of the Heike). Japanese only (no English subtitles) Region Code 2 NTSC.

One of our favourite albums of 2007 was Appalachian Shamisen by shamisen player Takeharu Kunimoto and his group of American bluegrass musicians, The Last Frontier. In July 2007 they performed live in Yokohama and now the DVD of that concert is released. Part 1 features Takeharu performing solo in his usual shamisen and rokyoku storytelling role. Part 2 features Takeharu with the Last Frontier playing banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass. 21 tracks.

Sumiko Goto is a wonderful koto player and a maestro shamisen player. She was the featured artist on the acclaimed EMI Hemisphere CD ' Lullaby for the Moon'. She belongs to the Ikuta school. On this DVD she performs 5 tunes. 1. Tegoto (Michio Miyagi) 2. Ran (Kengyo Yastsuhashi) 3. Isuzu-gawa (Michio Miyagi) 4. Matsuri no Taiko (Michio Miyagi) 5. Shinjo (unknown) Region Code 2, 50 minutes.

DVD of a live concert from the famous enka singer Yoko Nakayama to mark her 15 years as an enka singer. Wonderful performance in front of an audience of 5,000. 14 tracks plus special features / films.

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.

Concert DVD filmed in Tokyo on July 12 and 13 2006 of the maestro of Amami shimauta. The music of Amami, situated in Kagoshima prefecture, half way between the Japanese mainland and Okinawa is unique. It is played in the minor as in Japan but is called Shima Uta and is played on the sanshin as on Okinawa. The falsetto style vocal however, doesn't exist anywhere apart from Amami. Kazuhira Takeshita is considered one of the island's greatest ever musicians. He was born in 1933 into a musical family in the village of Shokazu, and started learing shimauta from the age of twelve. He made his professional debut in 1959 and ever since has been one of the the leading exponents of Amami shimauta throughout Japan. Sixteen tracks of standard Amami traditional songs such as Asabana Bushi (always performed at the beginning of a session to purify the performance area plus Kuridando Bushi, Shiomichi Nagahama Bushi, Hanazome Bushi, Honen Bushi and Rokucho.

Part two of the concert DVD from 2006 of the great master of Amami island shimauta. Sixteen tracks including Hokorasha, Yoisura Bushi, Shunkane Bushi, Muchakana Bushi, Sobayado, Tokunoshima Bushi, Torasan Nagane and Rokucho.

The excellent Umekichi sings and plays the shamisen and has helped to make 'nagauta' - traditional style song, cool again in Japan. Young, beautiful and talented, she seems to be everyone's image of what a geisha should be, both home and abroad, a point not lost on her record company. She performs Edo style entertainment, the type popular in Japan before Westernization. This live DVD was filmed in Tokyo with Umekichi singing solo with shamisen and dancing,and together with a band. 16 tracks, 70 minutes with extra film of rehearsal and backstage.

Long awaited DVD releases from the original demon drummers from Sado Island, Ondekoza. Originally released on video, Ondekoza in concert on May 16th 1995 in Osaka. Stunning performance visually and aurally with the group in top form, featuring shakuhachi, shamisen together with an array of taiko drums. 7 tunes, 82 mins, NTSC format.

Fujiyama was one of Ondekoza's best albums, and this DVD features live tracks mainly from that album filmed live in Tokyo on 17 and 18th December in 1997. Also features interviews and footage from their USA tour. 8 tunes, including Toto, Fujiyama, Bokyo Utsu Hachijo, A-Un Jamisen, Odaiko, Yatai Bayashi. 67 mins, NTSC.

Still leading the pack of young tsugaru shamisen players in the popularity stakes, this is a DVD of the Yoshida Brothers performing live during their Japan tour November and December 2006 that took place in 25 cities. The best performances have been selected plus bonus film of the brother's USA tour 2006 and concert in Spain. Tracks include Fuyu no Sakura, Moyuru, Rising, Overland Blues, Modern, Ibuki and Barcelona.

Sixteen live tunes, mostly from the album 'Frontier', filmed in Tokyo, July 2003. As a special feature includes an interview with the brothers in New York.

Young tsugaru shamisen player in concert and in interview, on documentary style DVD. The live footage is from 2003 filmed in Tokyo and Aichi. Includes several tunes not yet on any album.

The fast plucking shamisen style has been a big in Japan in recent years through Yoshida Brothers and other young artists. Chisato Yamada (who died three years ago) was a true master of tsugaru shamisen. Born in 1931, together with Chikuzan Takahashi, he is arguably one the greatest two players of the last century. This is a live DVD featuring four performances from different concerts.

DVD version of the latest live album, of a performance recorded in Japan in November 2003, the concert produced by the Kabuki actor Tamasaburo Bando. Excellent visual and sound quality.

It's been 25 years since the wonderful Eitetsu Hayashi first performed solo, after being a member of the big two taiko groups, Ondekoza and Kodo. 3 CDs and 1 DVD of material from throughout his career compiled from albums he released with various record companies. 22 tracks on the 3 CDs. The DVD is of previously unreleased live footage from a concert in Tokyo from the 2004/5 Japan tour including special features and interview.

DVD version of album with top taiko drummer in collaboration with jazz pianist Yosuke Yamashita.

Documentary style showing rehearsals plus live footage from Tokyo in October and November 1998, with shakuhachi and tsugaru shamisen.

Live from Berlin Philharmonic Hall in 2002, and his world solo tour in Moscow 1998 and Tokyo in1999. Stunning performance.

Live concert footage from the 2000 Japan tour, featuring tsugaru shamisen player Shinichi Kinoshita and shakuhachi player Keisuke Doi.

Leonard Eto joined Kodo in 1984 and turned solo in 1992. Ever since he has collaborated with a range of national and international artists. This DVD is of performances filmed between 2001 and 2003. Solo, in percussion duo and larger sessions, with including guitarist Natsuki Kido and tabla player Zakir Hussein.

Bonten is a seven piece male and female taiko group. They recently performed at the Expo held in Aichi, Japan. This is a DVD of their live concert held in Yokohama in Japan 2004. 12 tunes, 110minutes.

CD+ DVD of Japanese taiko group's performances in France and Greece in 2005. The DVD lasts 60 mins and the CD has 10 tracks. Hinokiya are from Hakodate in Hokkaido, and aside to the large taiko drums, play shinobue flute, guitar, bass and accordion. For long spells they sound more like an Irish group than Japanese. When the Japanese elements come to the fore is when they are at their best.

From 2005 the young enka singer sings his own hits and classic enka songs from the past. Kiyoshi Hikawa has made enka sexy once again, and watching this you can see why. Great fun. 110 mins, 23 songs.

Shang Shang Typhoon are one of the few survivors from the initial boom in Japanese world music from the late 80s. Their music combines Japanese, Okinawan, Chinese, Latin, reggae, Hawaiian into their own distinctive sound. A great live group, this DVD is of SST in concert, May 2004.

In 1993 1000 buddhist monks got together with taiko drummer Eitetsu Hayashi, jazz saxophonist Kazutoki Umezu, singer Mitsuhiko Sato, biwa player Midori Takada and fue (flute) player Yukihiro Isso among others to perform live a kind of shomyo (buddhist chant) meets jazz and other Japanese traditional music. A pretty spectacular event, filmed with eight cameras, celebrating the 850 year anniversary of the head of Shingon Buddhist sect.

Ever wondered what they are laughing about in traditional Japanese comedy? Now you can find out with a DVD of rakugo or comic story telling, as this is in English! Rakugo dates back at least 400 years. The performer sits down or stands up surrounded by an audience, with whom he exchanges quips and interacts. The rakugo performer takes on several roles in a story, which often reflect 18th century Japanese culture and society. The monologue climaxes with a ochi (fall) or sage (lowering), whereby the wordplay is suddenly interrupted. This wonderful DVD features three episodes, all told in English, Time Noodles (Asakichi Katsura), The Prohibition (Ippei Hayashiya) and Bridal Training (Kimie Oshima)

Aki Fukakusa is a Japanese player of a rare Chinese 3 stringed plucked lute called the shinkin. On this live DVD filmed in Tokyo, he performs with Itsuro Kai (percussion) and Takeaki Bunno on sho (mouth organ). It makes for an interesting combination, and a high quality performance.