Style: Traditional Japanese
Primary Emotions/Themes: Drops of water falling to create beautiful natural music
Thoughts: Music and nature sometimes meet in unexpected ways. In the case of the Japanese koto I'm often reminded of raindrops falling into pools of water creating delicate music in doing so.
The way that the strings resonate reminds me of a singular drop of water falling from an unknown source. It lands with the grace of and elegance of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, only then to fade out of existence as it joins its brethren in a pool of water.
Now if you put five of these magnificent instruments together you get some truly incredible music. Pair that with the Japanese pan flute as well and you get something straight out of the Kamakura period.
I can easily imagine sitting around a palace at night with the musicians playing in the background as a feast is taking place at the local samurai's residence. Each note plucked resembling the rain drops that fall outside. Pluck - another drop of rain falls. Pluck - yet another. They intermix so well that they become indistinguishable form each other.
Every collection needs some odd ball stuff in it, and this is one of those records for mine. Every now and then I have the urge to listen to some traditional Japanese music, and this is my vessel to do so. Just like rain drops falling on a quiet evening, this album brings peace like few things can.
Written June 30th 2024
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