The Art of Japanese Bamboo Flute & Koto

Yamato Ensemble

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 21, 1994)
• Original Release Date: June 21, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arc Music
• ASIN: B000001IHL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,154 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #22 in

  Music > Indie Music > World Music > Far East & Asia

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's A Goodie!, April 30, 2000

By	Disappointed Mom (Southern California) - See all my reviews

One of my favorite CDs. Light some incense and get ready to be transported to Japan. Ideal for meditation or just soothing background music, this CD is a must for anyone who has wondered where to buy the type of music typically heard in Japanese restaurants. It produces a calming effect being that this CD has no "screeching" licks -- a trait which sometimes characterizes music performed on the Koto. This CD would also help create superb ambiance at your next sushi party! While (it is fairly obvious) I am not versed in Japanese music, I know that I love this CD. You will not be disappointed.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A peek into the Japanese concept of musical composition, September 12, 2002

By	Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

On this CD, the shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and koto (Japanese stringed banjo) are played in such a way that one instrument trails the other in an interesting way. The music on this CD brings to light the different mentality of Japanese music; whereas Western harmony plays simultaneously, perhaps in counterpoint, the Japanese concept of composition staggers the musical line in time, so that one instrument follows the lead of the other--a bit like "Row Row Row Your Boat" (a canon or round) but not exactly. It's more like jazz improvisation, where the lead instrument of the moment, takes the rest of the combo on a musical ride.

It's hard to write about what you hear, but I liked this CD and found real insight into some aspects of Japanese music. Fascinating.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Instant Tranquility, September 28, 2000

By	EternalSeeker (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This is just a great CD. Whenever I need to restore inner harmony after work, or dealing with any upsetting situation, this is the one I go to. Instantly I am transported to the calm, soothing setting of a traditional Japanese house and garden. It is fantastic for meditation, too. Let all the nonessentials of life slip away while you listen to this beautiful recording.