Japan

Japan (Grove Music Online)

Wade (2005)_Music in Japan_Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture

 

Gagaku

Ma

Kotzuzumi

Toru Takemitsu, “November Steps” (1967), performed by Sieji Ozawa and New Japan Philharmonic

Bizarre, entertaining history of Japan

ANIME

2. Pokerap (Babi Floyd and James “D-Train” Williams, 1999): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMk8wuw7nek
Additional listening for history of the anime music industry:
1. Astro Boy theme song (Takai Tatsuo, 1963): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4SmuiiwCV0
Composer is still alive! Born 1933
Went one to become one of the biggest figures in the Japanese pop music industry
3. Cruel Angel’s Thesis (Yōko Takahashi, 1995): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6wtDPVkKqI
4. Merry-go-round of Life (Joe Hisaishi, 2004; recording 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pQKqQ9sG50
5. Reverse Situation (Yasunaru Takahashi, from Naruto Shippuden soundtrack 2007): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABfxqZK31OE
Influential in blending Japanese instruments such as shamisen, shakuhachi, and taiko drums with rock and metal sounds; has been increasingly touring globally, including in North America, in the last few years
6. Tenkyū (Migiwa Hashimoto, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5LDoMHlqHw
From koto-focused anime Kono Oto Tomare