Finding Serenity Within Japanese Music

Japanese music has been heavily influenced by nature and its natural sounds. What has developed in the West as a sense of rhythm is not always the base for traditional music. It can be both meditational and spiritual as well as follow complex rhythmic patterns not unlike western classical music.

Music is highly rooted in the culture from which it is born. That being said, with a study of that particular culture and its music I believ we can grasp the message that music is trying to communicate. I have lived and studied the shakuhachi in Japan and this has influenced the music that I create.

Visit our Online Webstore for the best Japanese Music

Shakuhachi - Japanese Bamboo Flute

The Shakuhachi is a 5 holed end-blown flute made from bamboo. Here is my main performing standard 1.8 size shakuhachi. It was specially made for me by Tom Deaver (Beishu). He created the perfect balance of tone color, balance, and response.

Sounds of the White Phoenix is a solo CD of shakuhachi music. It is comprised of both my original and traditional meditational solo pieces. Click Here to read about my ideas on home recording with Japanese instruments.

Kurofune is a shakuhachi album with Izukawa Hidefumi. Together (as Kurofune - Josh Smith and Izukawa Hidefumi) we perform shakuhachi duets and shakuhachi and piano pieces.

Some other traditional Japanese instruments are the Biwa (Japanese lute)

The oldest forms of Japanese music are Shomyo (BUDDHIST CHANT) and gagaku (orchestral court music). Shomyo has influenced probably every form of Japanese music. I have studied the shakuhachi for years now in Japan and have come across traditional pieces that have direct links with Shomyo. I also learn Shingon Buddhist chant at Taimadera temple in Nara. Both are complex tonal systems that are not easy to grasp.


Check out some of the music we mentioned here at our Webstore
Home Studio Recording Ideas
See my recommendations for Audio Recording Devices
Shakuhachi Page
Go to Mahoroba CD
Space in Art: The Aesthetic of "Ma"
Go to Sound of the White Phoenix CD
Go to Kurofune CD
Visit the Buddhist Chant page