Meisho Tosha II
Fue
Columbia (Japan) 1995
COJF-9181 (LP) w/obi, insert.
sleeve : NM
media : EX+/EX+(some slightly noises.)
This album, released in 1995, is by Suifu Tosha I, a yokobue (Japanese transverse flute) player from the Tosha school—one of the major schools of Kabuki and nagauta hayashi (traditional Japanese musical accompaniment)—and known for masterpieces such as Garasu no Fue (The Glass Flute). It was recorded after he succeeded the name Tosha Meisho II. All tracks are original compositions by Meisho himself, and in addition to studio recordings, the album includes field recordings captured in outdoor locations such as the Sannomiya Gosaiden shrine at Mt. Haguro, the sacred pond at the summit of Mt. Gassan, and the Midagahara plateau at the 8th station of Mt. Gassan. The ensemble pieces featuring kotsuzumi, otsuzumi, and shime-daiko drums follow the traditions of classical hayashi music, but the solo flute performance recorded on the Hanase mountain path in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto (track B4) is especially breathtaking. The sound of the flute blends completely with the surrounding natural sounds, achieving a uniquely Japanese form of environmental music. Spiritually, it can be considered a Japanese counterpart to New Age music. Highly recommended. This album is part of the Ulti-Fidelity Analog series in the Mastersonic format produced by Nippon Columbia during the CD era, and it boasts exceptionally high sound quality.