Kitaro
Encyclopedia
, better known as , is an award winning Japanese musician
, composer
and multi-instrumentalist
who is regarded as one of the pioneers of new age music.
. His first synthesizer was analog
, and he recalls having “just loved the analog sound that it made compared to today's digital sound
”.
His parents were first opposed to the idea of their son having a musical career. Indeed, in an effort to maneuver him towards their vision, they made arrangements for him to take a job at a local company. In return, he left home without telling them. He supported himself by taking on several part time jobs such as cooking and civil service work, while composing songs at night.
In the early 1970s, he changed completely to keyboards. He joined the Japanese music group "Far East Family Band" which formed in 1965 and toured with them around the world. While in Europe
,he met the German synthesizer musician
and former Tangerine Dream
member Klaus Schulze
. Schulze produced two albums for the band and gave Kitaro some tips for the use of synthesizers. In 1976, Kitaro left "Far East Family Band" and travelled through Asia
(China
, Laos
, Thailand
, India
).
movement. He performed his first symphonic concert at the 'Small Hall' of the Kosei Nenkin Kaikan
in Shinjuku, Tokyo. During this concert Kitaro used a synthesizer to recreate the sounds of 40 different instruments, a world's first. But it was his famous soundtrack for the NHK
series "Silk Road" that brought him international attention.
He struck a worldwide distribution arrangement with Geffen Records in 1986. This included a re-releasing of six prior albums -- Astral Voyage, Full Moon Story, Millennia, India, Silver Cloud and Asia, each handsomely packaged with Japanesque obi strip
s -- and a new album, the aptly titled, Towards the West. In 1987 he collaborated with Micky Hart (Grateful Dead
) and in 1992 with Jon Anderson
(Yes
). In 1988 his record sales soared to 10 million worldwide. He was nominated twice for a Grammy award and his soundtrack for the movie "Heaven & Earth" won the Golden Globe® award for best original score.
When asked about his music, he said, "I never had education in music, I just learned to trust my ears and my feelings." He credits ‘powers beyond himself’ for his music, saying, "This music is not from my mind. It is from heaven, going through my body and out my fingers through composing. Sometimes I wonder. I never practice. I don't read or write music, but my fingers move. I wonder, 'Whose song is this?' I write my songs, but they are not my songs."
Kitaro’s music has long been recognized for its messages of peace
and spirituality
. In the wake of 9/11, the artist began recording Sacred Journey Of Ku-kai, an intended series of peace-themed albums (Vol. 1 released in 2003; Vol. 2 in 2005, Vol. 3 in 2007, Vol. 4 in 2011), inspired by the Shikoku Pilgrimage
.
The events of September 11, 2001 occurred while he was en route from Japan to Los Angeles. Kitaro's jet liner was diverted to Honolulu for five days, during which time the conceptual endeavor—which he envisioned as an artistic means to help unify people globally—took shape. Every track on Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai 1 to 4 contains samples from ancient Japanese temple bells (Peace Bells) from 88 sacred temples and is intended to inspire spiritual awakening and a profound sense of peace in its listeners. This is Kitaro's life work to compose 88 songs with 88 temple bells.
In 2007, Kitaro has composed the music for West Lake Impressions, a large-scale opera, directed by renowned Chinese film director Zhang Yimou
. The opera reflects the city’s history and culture through music and dance. Using modern technology, the stage is 75 centimeters below the lake’s surface during the day so as not to affect the landscape and boating activities. In the evening, the stage is some few centimeters below the lake’s surface so actors can walk and perform freely over a surprisinly water mirror that compose with the lights and colors. The one-hour event had its opening night in March 2007. In 2009, Kitaro released its original soundtrack album "Impressions Of The West Lake" which was nominated for 52nd Grammy Award.
In 2007-2009 he launched the ‘Love and Peace World Tour,’ an international tour with which Kitaro hoped to inspire his message of world peace with his music. Kitaro toured Southeast Asia in 2007, Greece in 2008 and Hong Kong, Japan, Southeast Asia in 2009. During his visit to Greece, Kitaro met Greek musician and composer Vangelis
, and exchanged musical experience and creative ideas. Kitaro has also reunited with drummer Mickey Hart
.
In 2010, Kitaro performed in Singapore in March, in Mexico for the Zacatecas Cultural Festival in April, in Xian China for the opening event of Daming Palace National Heritage park in September, in Aichi Japan for the Thousand Drums Event at COP10 for the Convention on Biological Diversity in October. While tour, he released the Grammy Nominated (Compilation Album),442 Original Soundtrack, 442 Kitaro's Story Scape (Soundtrack Albums), and his 53rd Grammy Nominated Album Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai
Volume 4.
In March - April 2011, Kitaro toured Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. He donated part of the CD sales and concert profits to Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami Relief.
, godfather of Yamaguchi-gumi
, the largest Yakuza
syndicate. Kitaro and Yuki had a son, Ryunosuke, who lives in Japan. They reportedly separated because Kitaro worked mostly in the United States while Yuki lived and worked in Japan. In the mid-1990s, Kitaro married Keiko Matsubara, a musician who played on several of his albums. Along with Keiko's son, the couple lived in Ward, Colorado
on a 180 acre (72.85 hectare) spread and composed in his 2500 square foot (230 m²) home studio "Mochi House" (it is large enough to hold a 70 piece orchestra). Kitaro and Keiko recently relocated to Sebastopol, California
.
In 1989, he wrote the "Japanese" Theme for the film "Return From The River Kwai".
He has worked with guitarist Marty Friedman
, formerly of Megadeth
, on the "Scenes" album. He has also worked with Hong Kong
Cantopop
singer Anita Mui
on the song "Years Flowing Like Water" "似水流年".
Other albums
1986- My Best - Kitaro
In addition the various record companies who have distributed Kitaro's music have released several compilation albums over the years. Quite a few of them are listed here -> http://www.kitaromusic.com/catalog1.htm http://www.gigapolis.com/kitaro/en/discography/cds/kitaro_cds/index.php
|-
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
who is regarded as one of the pioneers of new age music.
Early life
Kitaro moved to Tokyo to experience and become a part of the music scene, and it was there that he discovered the synthesizerSynthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
. His first synthesizer was analog
Analog synthesizer
An analog or analogue synthesizer is a synthesizer that uses analog circuits and analog computer techniques to generate sound electronically. The earliest analog synthesizers in the 1920s and 1930s such as the Trautonium were built with a variety of vacuum-tube and electro-mechanical technologies...
, and he recalls having “just loved the analog sound that it made compared to today's digital sound
Digital synthesizer
A digital synthesizer is a synthesizer that uses digital signal processing techniques to make musical sounds.Electronic keyboards make music through sound waves.-History:...
”.
His parents were first opposed to the idea of their son having a musical career. Indeed, in an effort to maneuver him towards their vision, they made arrangements for him to take a job at a local company. In return, he left home without telling them. He supported himself by taking on several part time jobs such as cooking and civil service work, while composing songs at night.
In the early 1970s, he changed completely to keyboards. He joined the Japanese music group "Far East Family Band" which formed in 1965 and toured with them around the world. While in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
,he met the German synthesizer musician
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
and former Tangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream is a German electronic music group founded in 1967 by Edgar Froese. The band has undergone many personnel changes over the years, with Froese being the only continuous member...
member Klaus Schulze
Klaus Schulze
Klaus Schulze is a German electronic music composer and musician. He also used the alias Richard Wahnfried. He was briefly a member of the electronic bands Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel before launching a solo career consisting of more than 60 albums released across five decades.-1970s:In...
. Schulze produced two albums for the band and gave Kitaro some tips for the use of synthesizers. In 1976, Kitaro left "Far East Family Band" and travelled through Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
(China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
).
Solo career
Back in Japan, Kitaro started his solo career in 1977. The first two albums Ten Kai and From the Full Moon Story became cult favorites of fans of the nascent New AgeNew Age
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...
movement. He performed his first symphonic concert at the 'Small Hall' of the Kosei Nenkin Kaikan
Tokyo Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan
, also known as Wel City Tokyo, was a concert hall in Shinjuku, Tokyo.Opened in April 1961, the hall closed on March 31, 2010. Kitaro was one of the artists that performed here....
in Shinjuku, Tokyo. During this concert Kitaro used a synthesizer to recreate the sounds of 40 different instruments, a world's first. But it was his famous soundtrack for the NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
series "Silk Road" that brought him international attention.
He struck a worldwide distribution arrangement with Geffen Records in 1986. This included a re-releasing of six prior albums -- Astral Voyage, Full Moon Story, Millennia, India, Silver Cloud and Asia, each handsomely packaged with Japanesque obi strip
Obi strip
An is a strip of paper looped around a book or other product. This extends the term obi used for Japanese clothing; it is written with the same kanji. It is also referred to as a , or more narrowly as .-For books:...
s -- and a new album, the aptly titled, Towards the West. In 1987 he collaborated with Micky Hart (Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
) and in 1992 with Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
(Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
). In 1988 his record sales soared to 10 million worldwide. He was nominated twice for a Grammy award and his soundtrack for the movie "Heaven & Earth" won the Golden Globe® award for best original score.
When asked about his music, he said, "I never had education in music, I just learned to trust my ears and my feelings." He credits ‘powers beyond himself’ for his music, saying, "This music is not from my mind. It is from heaven, going through my body and out my fingers through composing. Sometimes I wonder. I never practice. I don't read or write music, but my fingers move. I wonder, 'Whose song is this?' I write my songs, but they are not my songs."
1995 to present
Since his 1995 début for Domo Records—the Grammy-nominated Mandala, featuring bold use of electric guitar—Kitaro has released no less than thirteen albums. Among them, the live An Enchanted Evening (1995), the deeply spiritual Gaia Onbashira (1998) and Ancient (2001), were all Grammy nominated. The 1999 Thinking of You, which allmusic.com calls a “journey to ecstasy” and “one of the most beautiful CDs of all time,” won the Grammy for Best New Age Album.Kitaro’s music has long been recognized for its messages of peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
and spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
. In the wake of 9/11, the artist began recording Sacred Journey Of Ku-kai, an intended series of peace-themed albums (Vol. 1 released in 2003; Vol. 2 in 2005, Vol. 3 in 2007, Vol. 4 in 2011), inspired by the Shikoku Pilgrimage
Shikoku Pilgrimage
The or is a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai on the island of Shikoku, Japan. A popular and distinctive feature of the island's cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic,...
.
The events of September 11, 2001 occurred while he was en route from Japan to Los Angeles. Kitaro's jet liner was diverted to Honolulu for five days, during which time the conceptual endeavor—which he envisioned as an artistic means to help unify people globally—took shape. Every track on Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai 1 to 4 contains samples from ancient Japanese temple bells (Peace Bells) from 88 sacred temples and is intended to inspire spiritual awakening and a profound sense of peace in its listeners. This is Kitaro's life work to compose 88 songs with 88 temple bells.
In 2007, Kitaro has composed the music for West Lake Impressions, a large-scale opera, directed by renowned Chinese film director Zhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou
Zhang Yimou is a Chinese film director, producer, writer and actor, and former cinematographer. He is counted amongst the Fifth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, having made his directorial debut in 1987 with Red Sorghum....
. The opera reflects the city’s history and culture through music and dance. Using modern technology, the stage is 75 centimeters below the lake’s surface during the day so as not to affect the landscape and boating activities. In the evening, the stage is some few centimeters below the lake’s surface so actors can walk and perform freely over a surprisinly water mirror that compose with the lights and colors. The one-hour event had its opening night in March 2007. In 2009, Kitaro released its original soundtrack album "Impressions Of The West Lake" which was nominated for 52nd Grammy Award.
In 2007-2009 he launched the ‘Love and Peace World Tour,’ an international tour with which Kitaro hoped to inspire his message of world peace with his music. Kitaro toured Southeast Asia in 2007, Greece in 2008 and Hong Kong, Japan, Southeast Asia in 2009. During his visit to Greece, Kitaro met Greek musician and composer Vangelis
Vangelis
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
, and exchanged musical experience and creative ideas. Kitaro has also reunited with drummer Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart is an American percussionist and musicologist. He is best known as one of the two drummers of the rock band the Grateful Dead. He was a member of the Grateful Dead from September 1967 to February 1971, and from October 1974 to August 1995...
.
In 2010, Kitaro performed in Singapore in March, in Mexico for the Zacatecas Cultural Festival in April, in Xian China for the opening event of Daming Palace National Heritage park in September, in Aichi Japan for the Thousand Drums Event at COP10 for the Convention on Biological Diversity in October. While tour, he released the Grammy Nominated (Compilation Album),442 Original Soundtrack, 442 Kitaro's Story Scape (Soundtrack Albums), and his 53rd Grammy Nominated Album Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai
Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai
Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai is a series of peace-themed albums by new age artist Kitarō, inspired by the classic Buddhist pilgrimage to the 88 sacred temples on Japan's island of Shikoku.-Track listing:"Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol...
Volume 4.
In March - April 2011, Kitaro toured Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. He donated part of the CD sales and concert profits to Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami Relief.
Personal life
From 1983 until 1990 Kitaro was married to Yuki Taoka. Yuki is a daughter of Kazuo TaokaKazuo Taoka
was one of the most prominent yakuza Godfathers.Known as the "Godfather of Godfathers", Taoka was third kumicho of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan's largest yakuza organization, from 1946 to 1981....
, godfather of Yamaguchi-gumi
Yamaguchi-gumi
is Japan's largest and most infamous yakuza organization. It is named after its founder Harukichi Yamaguchi. Its origins can be traced back to a loose labor union for dockworkers in Kobe pre-WWII....
, the largest Yakuza
Yakuza
, also known as , are members of traditional organized crime syndicates in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan , literally "violence group", while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" , "chivalrous organizations". The yakuza are notoriously...
syndicate. Kitaro and Yuki had a son, Ryunosuke, who lives in Japan. They reportedly separated because Kitaro worked mostly in the United States while Yuki lived and worked in Japan. In the mid-1990s, Kitaro married Keiko Matsubara, a musician who played on several of his albums. Along with Keiko's son, the couple lived in Ward, Colorado
Ward, Colorado
Ward is a Home Rule Municipality in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The population was 150 at the 2010 census. The town is a former mining settlement founded in 1860 in the wake of the discovery of gold at nearby Gold Hill...
on a 180 acre (72.85 hectare) spread and composed in his 2500 square foot (230 m²) home studio "Mochi House" (it is large enough to hold a 70 piece orchestra). Kitaro and Keiko recently relocated to Sebastopol, California
Sebastopol, California
Sebastopol is a city in Sonoma County, California, United States, approximately north of San Francisco. The population was 7,379 at the 2010 census, but its businesses also serve surrounding rural portions of Sonoma County, totaling about 50,000 people...
.
In 1989, he wrote the "Japanese" Theme for the film "Return From The River Kwai".
He has worked with guitarist Marty Friedman
Marty Friedman (guitarist)
Marty Friedman is a guitarist, well known for his tenure as the lead/rhythm guitarist for thrash metal band Megadeth, which lasted almost a decade...
, formerly of Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, on the "Scenes" album. He has also worked with Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
Cantopop
Cantopop
Cantopop is a colloquialism for "Cantonese popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre of Chinese popular music within C-pop...
singer Anita Mui
Anita Mui
Anita Mui Yim-fong was a popular Hong Kong singer and actress. During her prime years she made major contributions to the cantopop music scene, while receiving numerous awards and honours. She remained an idol throughout most of her career, and was generally regarded as a cantopop diva...
on the song "Years Flowing Like Water" "似水流年".
Discography
Discography:- 1978 - Ten Kai/Astral Voyage/Astral Voyager/Astral Trip
- 1979 - Fron the Full Moon Story/Daichi
- 1979 - Oasis
- 1980 - Silk Road (a.k.a. The Soghdian Merchants on VHS)
- 1980 - Silk Road II
- 1980 - In Person/In Person Digital (Live)
- 1980 - Silk Road Suite (conducted by Paul Buckmaster with The London Symphony Orchestra)
- 1981 - Silk Road III: Tunhuang/Tonko/Dunhuang
- 1981 - Best of Kitaro vol 1
- 1982 - World of Kitaro (conducted by Jeremy Lubbock with London Philharmonic Orchestra)
- 1981 - Radio House Ginga
- 1981 - Ki
- 1982 - Utopia (Maxi 45rmp Picture Disc - Same Music as Radio House ginga)
- 1982 - Millennia/Queen Millennia
- 1982 - Live at Budokan
- 1982 - Angel Queen (Ending song from the Queen Millenia Movie - Vocals By Dara Sedaka)
- 1983 - Silk Road IV: Tenjiku/India
- 1983 - Portopia '81/Portpier Matsushita Kan (Single included in Noah's Ark)
- 1983 - Aura No Saiten
- 1984 - Four Seasons of Qulity (promo EP 4 tracks)
- 1984 - Silver Cloud/Cloud
- 1984 - Caravan (Single - Vocals by Pages)
- 1984 - Live in Asia/Asia Super Tour Live/Asia (Live)
- 1986 - Towards the West/Endless Journey/Saihou: Journey of Silk Road
- 1986 - Tenku
- 1987 - The Light of the SpiritLight of SpiritThe Light of The Spirit is an album by the new age artist Kitarō. This is 30th Grammy Award winning album .Original Release Year: 1987-Track listing:# "Mysterious Encounter"# "Sundance"# "The Field"# "The Light of the Spirit"...
- 1988 - Ten Years/Best of Ten Years
- 1990 - KojikiKojiki (Kitarō album)Kojiki is an album by the new age artist Kitarō, which was nominated for a Grammy award in 1990.This album features the string section from the Skywalker Symphony, along with Kitaro's signature keyboard and flute sounds. It was released in 1990....
(released also on SACD) - 1991 - Live in America
- 1992 - Lady of Dreams (with Jon AndersonJon AndersonJon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
) - 1992 - DreamDream (Kitarō album)Dream is an album by the new age artist Kitarō. This is 35th Grammy nominated album in 1992 .Featuring the vocals of Yes' Jon Anderson, Dream is full of awe-inspiring moments that revolve around the themes of the spiritual, romanticism and love.Original Release Year: 1992-Track listing:# "Symphony...
(with Jon AndersonJon AndersonJon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
) - 1993 - Heaven and Earth (original soundtrack)
- 1994 - MandalaMandala (Kitarō album)Mandala is an album by the new age artist Kitarō. This is 37th Grammy nominated album in 1994.-Track listing:# "Mandala"# "Planet"# "Dance of Sarasvati"# "Scope"# "Chant from the Heart"# "Crystal Tears"# "Winds of Youth"# "Kokoro"...
- 1994 - Tokusen II (CD 1 Best Of, CD 2 Live in Osaka)
- 1995 - An Enchanted Evening (Live)
- 1996 - Peace On Earth
- 1996 - Kitaro World of Music (Yu-Xiao Guang plays Kitaro's music )
- 1997 - Cirque Ingenieux (with additional CD-ROM)
- 1998 - Gaia-OnbashiraGaia-OnbashiraGaia-Onbashira is an album by the new age artist Kitarō. This is 41st Grammy nominated album in 1998 .-External links:***...
- 1998 - Noah´s Ark (compilation - released only in Japan)
- 1998 - Six Musical Portraits (best of)
- 1998 - Romantic Ballads
- 1999 - Best of Kitaro vol 2
- 1999 - Thinking of YouThinking of You (Kitarō album)Thinking of You is an album by the new age artist Kitarō. This is 43rd Grammy winning album .-Track listing:# "Estrella"# "Mercury"# "Cosmic Wave"# "Harmony of the Forest"# "Fiesta"# "Thinking of You"# "Spirit of Water"...
- 2000 - The Soong Sisters (original soundtrack)
- 2000 - The Essential Collection (Japan only)
- 2000 - Nile (Single included in Ancient)
- 2001 - Ancient
- 2001 - Endless Journey (best of)
- 2001 - Healing Forest (best of)
- 2002 - An Ancient JourneyAn Ancient JourneyAn Ancient Journey is a double album by Japanese composer Kitarō, released in 2002. The album was nominated at the 2001 Grammy Awards.-Track listing:Disk 1# Whisper# Daichi# Tabiji# Wave of Sand# Golden Mask# Fairy of Water# Sampona Dance...
- 2002 - Daylight, Moonlight - Live in Yakushiji/Yakushi-Ji (Live) (SACD)
- 2002 - Mizu Ni Inorite
- 2002 - Asian Cafe/Ashu Chakan (best of)
- 2003 - Best of Silk RoadBest of Silk RoadBest of Silk Road is Grammy-winning composer Kitarō's soundtrack album based on the famous Silk Road. The music incorporates many natural sounds, including rain, wind and etc....
- 2003 - Sacred Journey of Ku-KaiSacred Journey of Ku-KaiSacred Journey of Ku-Kai is a series of peace-themed albums by new age artist Kitarō, inspired by the classic Buddhist pilgrimage to the 88 sacred temples on Japan's island of Shikoku.-Track listing:"Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Vol...
- 2004 - Shikoku 88 Places
- 2005 - Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Volume 2
- 2006 - Spiritual Garden
- 2006 - Essential Kitaro (best of with a bonus live DVD)
- 2007 - Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai 3
- 2008 - The Definitive Collection (best of)
- 2008 - Toyo's Camera (best of - soundtrack)
- 2009 - Impressions of the West Lake
- 2010 - 442 - Live With Honor, Die With Dignity (soundtrack)
- 2010 - Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai Volume 4
Other albums
- All Roads Lead To Rome
- Across The Karakum Desert
- Across The Pamir
- Deep Forest
- In Silent
- In Search Of Wisdom
- Mu Land
- Morning Light
- Tento Chi
- Vertigo
- Sleep Vol. 1
- Sleep Vol. 2
Kitaro with Others
- 1973 - Far East Family Band - Far Out
- 1975 - Far East Family Band - Tenkujin
- 1975 - Far East Family Band - Parallel World
- 1975 - Far East Family Band - Nipponjin
- 1976 - Far East Family Band - The Cave Down To Earth (1976)
- Yamasaki Hako - Akane (Two songs with kitaro, also edited in a promo single)
- Motoyoshi Iwasaki - Aoi Kaze (Single with Kitaro)
- Gyuto Monks - Gyuto Monks
- 1988 - Gyuto Monks - Freedom Chants From The Roof Of The World (with Philip GlassPhilip GlassPhilip Glass is an American composer. He is considered to be one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century and is widely acknowledged as a composer who has brought art music to the public .His music is often described as minimalist, along with...
& Mickey HartMickey HartMickey Hart is an American percussionist and musicologist. He is best known as one of the two drummers of the rock band the Grateful Dead. He was a member of the Grateful Dead from September 1967 to February 1971, and from October 1974 to August 1995...
) - 1992 - Marty FriedmanMarty FriedmanMarty Friedman may refer to:* Marty Friedman , musician* Marty Friedman , basketball player and coach-See also:*Martin Freedman, Canadian judge*Martin Freeman...
- Scenes, produced by Kitaro - 1995 - Nawang KhechogNawang KhechogNawang Khechog is a Tibetan flute player and composer.Nawang was born in Tibet, but following the Chinese invasion of 1949/1950, his family moved to India, where Nawang studied meditation and Buddhist philosophy...
- Karuna (Kitaro's World Of Music), produced by Kitaro - 2003 - Peter McEvilley & Rachel Leslie - Ninja Scroll (soundtrack)
- 2006 - Ryuta Yoshimura - Hayazaki No Hana (soundtrack)
1986- My Best - Kitaro
Kitaro in Compilations
- 1998 - Music For The Spirit Vol. 1, collection of New Age music
- 1999 - Music For The Spirit Vol. 2 (1999)
- 2001 - Music For The Spirit Vol. 3
- Music For The Spirit Vol. 4
- 2002 - Journey To The Heart I, collection of New Age music
- 2002 - Journey To The Heart II
- 2002 - Journey To The Heart III
- 2002 - Journey To The Heart IV
DVD Releases
- 1998 - Kojiki: a Story in Concert
- 1999 - An Enchanted Evening Vol 1
- 1999 - The Light of the Spirit
- 2001 - Thinking of You
- 2001 - Tamayura (with Koichi Tamano)
- 2001 - Peace on Earth
- 2001 - The Best of Kitaro
- 2005 - Daylight Moonlight - Live in Yakushi-Ji
In addition the various record companies who have distributed Kitaro's music have released several compilation albums over the years. Quite a few of them are listed here -> http://www.kitaromusic.com/catalog1.htm http://www.gigapolis.com/kitaro/en/discography/cds/kitaro_cds/index.php
External links
- Kitaro Official site (English)
- Kitaro Official site (Japanese)
- Domo Music Group - Kitaro's Record Company
- Kitaro Official Facebook (English)
- Kitaro Official MySpace (English)
- Kitaro Twitter (English)
- Kitaro YouTube
- Kitaro Shikoku Peace Bell Project
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