Track Listing

1. Lullaby - Komorluta
2. Six Miles From A Mountain Pass - Hachi-Ri, Toge
3. Eternal Lights - Kuom No Hikari
4. Sea Fantasy - Umi
5. Six Fragments Of Koto - Muttsu
6. Cherry Blossoms - Sakura (1)
7. Moonlight On A Ruined Castle - Kojo
8. Plower's Songe - Chidorl

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10341 in Music
• Released on: 1997-10-06
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Two of the most redolent sounds of Japanese art music are the shakuhachi (end-blown bamboo flute) and the koto (long zither). This praiseworthy mid-price anthology, based on recordings previously issued by Toshiba EMI, brings together various permutations of the two instruments. For example, it opens appropriately (given the album title) with variations on a lullaby by composer Inzan Tanaka played by Hozan Yamamoto and Utazumi Kunishige on shakuhachi and koto. The second piece features two shakuhachi players (Tozan Tanno and Tozan Hara) and the sounds they encounter on an eight-mile journey through a mountain pass. The sounds of nature predominate. Small birds sing from the trees. The two most ambitious of the eight tracks are a trio performance on a theme of cherry blossom for two flutes and one koto and a double shakuhachi and koto quartet on a theme of a ruined castle bathed in moonlight. For anyone wishing to test the waters of Japanese art music, Lullaby For The Moon is an auspicious starting point. --Ken Hunt

Customer Reviews

just about as good as it gets
from experienced koto based listener, just about as good as it gets, if you dont like this japanese koto/shakuhachi cd then you wont like ANY. excellent 'natural' recording, sharp sound, superb balance, magical composition and playing, a rarity that combines high quality sound, composition and playing, the cherry on the cake? sea fantasy, if you dont understand it there is no hope! also recomended ,soul of koto, on lyrichord label

Beautiful music from Japan
The music on this CD is played on the Koto and Shakuhachi is beautiful as it is distinctive. The eight pieces are all brilliantly played and greatly atmospheric and it is difficult for me to choose a favourite as they are all great. This music gives a brilliant introduction to Japanese music and this CD would be a great addition to the collection of anyone interested in the music of Japan.

Not another new age cd.
How many times have you bought a cd claiming to have "traditional/meditative/relaxing/all the above" music from various countries,only to be disappointed as soon as you start listening to it cause most of the music is done with keyboards? I can recall at least 3! This, fortunately, is not the case! I was looking for an introductory cd with Japanese traditional music, and that is what I got. The music is as relaxing and refreshing as a cup of green tea. My particular favourites are "Eight miles through a mountain pass"(track 2) and "Moonlight on a ruined castle"(track 7).