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

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.

raccoon dogIchikawa Seizan

Tanuki (A Shamisen Discussion)

When you think of the shamisen, many people probably picture the Tsugaru shamisen.

But in fact, the mainstream tradition is the hosozao, which has been passed down since the Edo period.

This video features a nagauta piece performed on the shamisen.

Its brisk playing style and intriguing melodic lines can hold their own against the Tsugaru shamisen.

Shamisen & Tap DanceShimura Ken & Biito Takeshi

Takeshi Kitano × Ken Shimura: A miraculous collaboration—tap dance meets shamisen!

Recently, Ken Shimura made headlines by collaborating with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra in a commercial, showing off his Tsugaru shamisen skills.

The piece he plays in this video seems like an improvised tune by Shimura, with his deft pick work on display, and Beat Takeshi dancing beside him, tapping out a strong rhythm.

What a lavish collaboration.

Wadaiko + drum performance [Leap Forward]Garyū

Wadaiko GARYU Music Video [Leap Forward – Yakushin]

GARYU is a unit formed in Fukuyama and Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture, with the goal of creating new music unconstrained by conventional genres through the fusion of Japanese taiko and drum set.

In addition to stage performances at events, they are extremely popular for band collaborations such as student wind ensembles.

Their crisp, exhilarating performances are especially captivating.

Wagaku: Heart Sutra PopKineya Nanami Shachu with Semimaru P

Hatsune Miku [Heart Sutra Pop]

A very pop-styled take on the Heart Sutra in traditional Japanese music.

I’ve relearned it many times in my life, but, as you’d expect, it never really sticks—after all, most of it reads like dense classical Chinese.

With something this pop, though, it feels like it would really stay in both your head and your heart! It’s the kind of track that makes you want to use it for a sunny-day drive—the scripture and the sound wash your heart clean in double measure.

It’s a piece featuring Kineya Nami (Kineya Nanami), who earlier delivered outstanding shamisen performance in The Nutcracker.

Also, don’t miss how they gradually become more character-like in the latter half of the video!

SHI-BU-KIHayashi Ei & Kinoshita Shin’ichi

Eitetsu Hayashi & Shinichi Kinoshita “-SHI-BU-KI-”

A collaborative piece by a master of Japanese taiko and a master of shamisen.

Even through a YouTube video, you can sense the extraordinary fusion of sound at an exceptionally high level, completely different from an ordinary traditional Japanese ensemble.

For anyone who thinks taiko and shamisen are simply instruments overflowing with powerful beats, this track will amaze you with its unmistakable technical sophistication.

SenbonzakuraBiwa ensō

bilibili Tuantuanzi – Senbonzakura by Hatsune Miku [Biwa Ver.]

There are many YouTube videos covering Hatsune Miku’s signature song “Senbonzakura” with traditional Japanese instruments.

Among them, this video using the biwa is particularly rare.

Not only is the instrument itself uncommon, but the performance technique is outstanding as well.

Do you know the name of the performer?