Description
From boundary-pushing koto musicians to experimental jazz virtuosi, Japanese music has long embraced all things avant-garde. This Rough Guide highlights some of today’s key innovators whose individualism challenges the conformist perception of Japan.
Japan, a country with a reputation for conformity and obeying the rules has also produced some of the world’s most radical music, where rules are only there to be broken. The origins of the experimental, avant-garde, improvisation, free jazz and onykokei (reverberation of sound) scenes date back to at least 1951, when the American administration departed Japan. Of course, improvisation is inherent in some Japanese musical traditions. Zen Buddhism and new music emerging from America and Europe had a natural affinity, indeed Zen philosophy had a profound effect on John Cage, Stockhausen and others.
Koto players, particularly Tadao and Kazue Sawai began to push the boundaries of koto music in the 1960s and 70s. Michiyo Yagi,a student of the Sawai’s, is one such benefactor of these early trailblazers. Inspired by John Cage, and New York’s John Zorn, she utilises techniques such as bowing, percussive effects, and slide koto on the album opener ‘Rouge’. The album also features the unique singer/songwriter koto player Karin, as well as the koto/guitar duo tsuMGuito (Maya Kimura and Norio Sato) who pay tribute to French composer Pierre Boulez in an experimental composition by Shintaro Imai.
Rough Guide to Avant-Garde Japan
01 Michiyo Yagi - Rouge 05:57
02 Masanori Oishi - Syracuse Blues 03:48
03 Haco - Over The Unfinished Bridge 03:28
04 Cockroach Eater - Kyogen Qabbalah 05:49
05 Ken Sugai - Daidai 04:11
06 Karin - Uiteruyo? 03:13
07 Jittyaku Orchestra - Suwarikome Koko e 04:43
08 Emiko Voice - Sanosa 04:53
09 Mutsumi Aragaki - Nankuru Nankuru 05:08
10 Shibusashirazu - Akkan 06:41
11 Shun Sakai & The Long Goodbye - Sukanpo No Sakukoro, Bengawan Solo, Kanpyo 06:04
12 A Mother Tongue Project - Noosphere 04:30
13 tsuMGuito - fPB 11:02
14 Japanorama - Ensemble One 05:11
Music Style(s)
Asian , Fusion
Associated Countries
Japan
Age Suitability
Teen , Young Adult , Thirty-Something , Young At Heart
Ethics
Cultural , Ethically Produced , FSC
Made in UK
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