[Japanese-style BGM] Beautiful tones woven from Japanese tradition

25-string kotosakura

Sakura, 25-string koto

Kasumi Watanabe is active as a performer on the koto, 17-string koto, and 25-string koto.

Here is her original arrangement of “Sakura” for 25-string koto, which she arranged herself.

Even the intro before the familiar ♪ Sakura, sakura melody begins is enchanting—evoking the refreshing feeling of a night breeze sweeping through cherry blossoms during nighttime viewing, along with a fragrance-like, palpable beauty.

Isn’t she lovelyŌhira Mitsumi, hoka

Isn’t She Lovely - Traditional Japanese instruments: Koto jazz (KOTO JAZZ)

An experimental session exploring what happens when the koto is set to jazz music.

It seems that acoustic jazz accompaniment fits surprisingly well.

Koto by Mitsumi Ohira, guitar by Koshiro Iwaya, and bass by Hideyuki Hashimoto.

Tsugaru Jongara-bushihanawachie

Tsugaru Jongara-bushi / Hanawa Chie

The Tsugaru Jongara-bushi is a classic standard in the shamisen world.

Along with Tsugaru Yosare-bushi and Tsugaru Ohara-bushi (Ohara-bushi), it is one of the three great folk songs of Tsugaru and may be the most famous piece of all.

Please enjoy a solo performance by Hanawa Chie, a Tsugaru shamisen player from Nippon Columbia.

Moon over the Ruined CastleNoie Gassōdan

Moon over the Ruined Castle, played on the Taishogoto

Much smaller than a koto and playable on a tabletop, the taishogoto is said to have been born in 1912, the first year of the Taisho era, in Osu, Nagoya.

One of the best-known standard pieces for the taishogoto is Rentaro Taki’s masterpiece “Kojo no Tsuki” (Moon over the Ruined Castle).

Here is a performance by the Kinshoryu Taishogoto Neue Ensemble.

The Subscription ListWajuku Kotsuzumi Tai

Wajuku Kotsuzumi Ensemble “Kanjincho”

The crisp “pon! kon!” tones of the kotsuzumi (hand drum) naturally stir the spirit of Wa—Japan’s traditional sensibility—within us.

In the kabuki staple Kanjinchō, the kotsuzumi is used to full effect in the musical accompaniment.

Savor the rolling volleys of the kotsuzumi delivered by the lineup of performers on stage.

Kabuki Gomen-Jyo [Japanese drums]Wadaiko Saiza

Wadaiko Matsuriza – Kabuki Gomen-Jyo [Japanese drums]

It’s a bit of an older album now, but here’s a track from Wadaiko Saizā’s 2002 release, “Japanese Drums.” It remains very popular, especially among internet fans around the world, and there are still many comments from fans looking for new works.

Indeed, even though it’s taiko drumming, a performance that conveys such subtle nuances is truly rare.

Yoshiwara Lament LIVE 2017Wagakki Band

[Sachiko Kobayashi x Asa] Yoshiwara Lament [5th Anniversary]

The popular beauty group Wagakki Band has had many of their songs covered by enka singers and performers, and when they perform the popular “Yoshiwara Lament,” it becomes endlessly polished, sexy, and just right.

It’s stylish yet has an idol-like feel, resulting in a beautiful finish that exudes femininity.