Traditional Japanese flute and wind music recommendations?

I'm looking to get some traditional Japanese flute (or other wind insterments) music and have no idea where to begin. Can anyone recommend some? Thanks!

 

I have a cd by Jade Bridge that contains that kid of instrumentation but the music is new. Doesn't sound at all modern though!

Do you buy vinyl? I see 40 year old records like you're describing on eBay all the time.

 

Okay. I'll check that one out. I'm not really a vinyl guy so I'm looking for releases that are available on CD.

 

I can't recomend this enough, spacey psychedelic jazz, available on CD

Hozan Yamamoto + Masabumi Kikuchi - Ginkai (aka Silver World) 1970



Hozan Yamamoto - Bamboo flute
Masabumi Kikuchi - piano
Gary Peacock - bass
Hiroshi Murakama - drums

 

I found out that if I type "Japanese flute" or "Japanese wind" into Amazon I get some pretty good results that I bought.

I'd still ike to hear any more suggestions you guys might have of course.

 

The International Shakuhachi Society (http://komuso.com/top/index.pl) has heaps of information.

May I recommend Shakuhachi (The Japanese Flute) by Kōhachiro Miyata for starters. (http://www.amazon.com/Shakuhachi-Japanese-Flute-Kohachiro-Miyata/dp/B000005IWN). It's very tranquil

 

another cool Hozan Yamamoto CD is The Suite for Shakuhachi (RCA 1975) 2 long improvs recorded live in a Tokyo cathedral:



Hozan Yamamoto - Shakuhachi
Norio Maeda - piano
Yasuo Arakawa - bass
Takeshi Inomata - drums

 

Though it is not traditional but a composition by Takemitsu.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buoNrDhIrCg

Another Takemitsu' composition, by ensemble including ancient Japanese flutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYRUmvHEXfE&feature=related

 

These are not strictly traditional but have some great Japanese flute playing:

Any album by Rin' but especially this one:



Ron Korb with Hiroki Sakaguchi - Japanese Mysteries

 

A tad westernized, but I can't imagine you'd dislike this old favorite, Sakura by Jean-Pierre Rampal and Lily Laskin.

I have several authentic Japanese recordings, but couldn't tell you the artists off the top of my head. Will check later...

 

I'm very fond of this album -- it uses some interesting wind instruments and is considered to be some of the oldest orchestral music in the world. It manages to sound both ancient and avant-garde at the same time:

 

Here are a few I bought and like in addition to those mentioned already:

Richard Warner- Quiet Heart & Spirit Wind
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000005P1W

Stan Richardson- Shakuhachi Meditation Music
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000037AE

Alcvin Takegawa Ramos- Japanese Traditional Flute For Meditation ; Zen Shakuhachi Vol 1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VBPHMO

Alcvin Takegawa Ramos- Japanese Traditional Flute For Meditation ; Zen Shakuhachi Vol 2
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00157VPUQ

 

"Wheels Of The Sun"

Kazu Matsui, with David and (daughter) Roseanne Lindley in subdued supporting roles.


Relaxing, lovely music.

.

 

Kazu Matsui also played on many soundtrack albums composed by James Horner.

 

This just arrived today from Amazon; and you're right- it's really beautiful. Thanks!

 

I would highly recommend "Lullaby for the Moon".

Also if you can find some releases by Hanateimari you might enjoy them.
I've posted some samples here

 

Thanks! I'll check those out for sure.

 

I just wanted to bump this thread A). So people can see it and B). In case anyone had any more suggestions.

 

This is a long time favourite. It's supposed to be a jazz record. It was recorded in Japan by a jazz musician with two traditional Japanese musicians, and it sounds almost completely Japanese to me. The rematsered CD edition is superb.

 

Your description has me intrigued! I listened to some samples

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000047D6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and it sounds very nice. Ordered! Thanks!

 

Yes, that's the same edition I've got. This music is soul-healing. You won't be disappointed.

 

To my surprise, the album has a Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_for_Zen_Meditation

 

Shadowfax has lots of similarities to what you're looking for as do a lot of the artists from the Windham Hill label.

 

check out releases by Chris Yohmei Blasdel:

http://www.yohmei.com/discography/

 

Okay, I'll check some of his releases out. Thanks!