I once had a class at 8am in college, which required me to be up and out the door at 6am sharp to be able to bus in on time. I was always 45 minutes early, but there was no other option. It was that or arrive 15 minutes late every day. I spent the whole summer both dreading and giddily anticipating that class. The allure of spending two and a half hours in a biology lab far outweighed the fact that I was not a morning person, though. I felt lucky enough that I'd managed to finally get on the enrollment list in time. The class was held from the last week of September to March. Every morning when I woke up, until the end of February, was still pitch-black out. Most of the time the sun was nowhere near rising when I would shamble out the door. I had a little cheap mp3 player from ebay with a few of Takashi Kokubo's albums on it. This one was one of my absolute favorites. The very first song magnified the feeling of stillness and reverence to the point I felt sometimes I was creeping around through the grounds of some magnificent abbey. When I listen to Takashi Kokubo's works I get vivid memories of the cold dewy air. I can see the way the mist would settle so thickly that just beyond the streetlights the trees disappeared entirely. It was a beautiful and peaceful part of my life. This music is brimming with that quiet beauty and joy.
"Outside of his albums, Kokubo has been instrumental in creating the sound identity of Japan, from the nationally-used mobile phone earthquake alert sound to credit card payment jingles. " This guy is basically the Japanese Brian Eno
@Nina New York Look up "地震チャイム Japanese earthquake alarm (cellphone)". A video that shows off the credit card payment jingle is called "電子マネーで決済 ~三井住友iD~".
When I listen to Inori, I think of my son, who sleeps peacefully next to me as a 5 month old baby. In my mind I travel to a time when he is a grown up man, walking this world on his own, and how different the world will be when he is my age. Will this song play in his psyche to carry him through the rough times? Will he remember the subtle gentleness he experienced as an infant and know that softness in a harsh world is a virtue? May this prayer as the namesake of this song, hold him always
That's so beautiful. My dad used to play fantasia on a theme for me, while holding many different smelling things under my nose as an infant (earl gray tea, malt vinegar, lavender, leather polish. I don't remember but he tells me so.) It is not the music, or the smells that remind me of his gentleness (though they can be a comfort), it is his love for me, which reminds me to give what i have been given, and to try to be kind. It is the kindness my father has shown me by example that has carried me through the rough times. I love him so much. Thank you for this moment of reflection :)
Childs are impronted by what they experience, and often in a very profound manner by their parents. So I guess such gentleness will leave its footprint indeed. :)
I used to listen to this in the states and dream about going to Barcelona. Finally I was able to walk around La Sagrada Familia while listening to this. Truly an emotional moment
Right now, I am staying in a trailer that sits in someone's backyard. It's the cheapest Airbnb that I could find. There is a mouse across from me, living behind the stove, who by the looks of it, is doing quite well for himself. I've been moving from place to place all my life, but the stakes have never been higher. This morning, I was despairing, worried I would run out of what little money I have left, and have no place to go. Even still, I have hope, and better yet I have determination to rise above this chapter of my life. I am so grateful to have had my spirits lifted today, by the kindness of a stranger, offering to give me a ride, and by the artist of this album I listen to now; both so beautiful and kind in their own ways. Never lose hope. Never give up. I hope you find where it is, that you belong. I know I do.
@AmbrosiusEpiscopus I'm hooked. Where can I read your writings: your story, journal, travels? I, too, hope you are in a more prosperous chapter now. ✨️2:02
@@geronimozarza8495 Lol maybe because the monarchists and fascists still haven't quit. Autonomy for Catalunya. They aren't stupid for being sensitive; you are, for refusing to take a side. There is no beauty in a Barcelona with fascists. Be serious on occasion.
The prerequisite to making music like this is only one thing - the ability to FEEL. When we raise a generation who cannot feel, who is detached from their feelings, we get a society obsessed with data, with money, with materialism, who's only social interface is through endless arguments and debates over mental concepts and beliefs, which ultimately lead nowhere but to anxiety and fear. We get a shallow culture, lacking art, creativity, individual expression, compassion, and most of all, love. We must raise our children to feel if we want to find our way out of this - but in order to teach others to feel, we must first learn to feel ourselves. Sitting with this music is the first step.
Operating by feel is the ultimate expression of our consciousness because it transcends our conscious attention. To be truly present is to feel everything around us. So many people are finally waking up(including myself). There are tough times ahead but we will get through this. Cheers to you, friend
@@travishibachi Not only that, but all of our thoughts words and deeds first begin as a feeling. The desire to succeed, to create, to work, to relax, to shop, to research, to eat. Even when we are scientific thinkers, why are we, what for, and how do we deal with conflicts, biases, and priorities? Everything begins with a feeling which we are largely unaware, and when we complete our thought or action it ends with a feeling which we judge as positive or negative. Regardless of status, a life well lived is one that feels aligned, and a poor life is one that feels wrong. We live in a mental and physical world, but the feeling body is the source of all things we manifest into it, and it governs how we move through it. Hence the saying, "the heart is the creator."
Don't discount the years of researching, experimenting, improvisations, personal data consumption. Learning. Learning about yourself and what sounds/effects/etc you enjoy that imply your state of being. Like language, we had to learn to use it. We were taught it. Some of us learn the arts through ourselves. This is a feelings over theory situation. Can theory help express better? Like learning the definitions of words? Does learning through your own means feel more expressive? We learned to express ourselves through language; a mostly sonic expression. Don't discount the physiological effects though too... You can translate it all to a simplistic "feeling". But, learning to feel is quite a journey too. Or rather, learning how to express your feelings in another medium...Are we prescribing chaos feeling?
@@LLAAPPSSEE I think we are born with a lot of knowledge inside us from the "two million year old man" living in there, and it does take time and effort to reacquaint ourselves with it. And some say we have lost some of this knowledge as a natural consequence to the extreme external progress of modernity. As fascinating as our modern inventions are, to be honest, as I get older I find it more amazing people survived pandemics, plagues, wars, arguments, child raising, finding meaning, and living in a bewildering natural world for thousands of years before modern technology.
@@xfloodcasual8124 Sounds like the philosophical ideas of Anamnesis. We try our best to piggy-back our knowledge into the future. We still seem have a hard time remembering lessons we've learned in the past and seem to like remaking the same kinds of mistakes. As the overused quote goes. Sometimes I feel we tend to disregard where we've come from. I find listening to music from all the different decades and eras is exciting and a way to ground myself to the past a bit. The stuff still holds up -- if it's good it's good and will remain good, I'd like to think. It definitely something to think about, the times before all this technological wizardry we have now-a-days (that will only increase). Every generation will have it's "I remember the times before xyz..." I sometimes wonder what kind of person I might have been if I existed in a different time... without some of the modern hobbies (and tech within) I enjoy today. What might you have latched onto to pass time? I can barely imagine what it's like now, but I couldn't imagine something like bring in new life into the world without some of the comforts of medicine and tech. This whole pandemic these last ~2 years has made me see a lot of recycling and giving into our base human fears. We're no different from the far past either. We just have a different context now and a cool little computer in our pocket. We've done all this crap before. Many times. So far, always made it out. Life has a way of persisting. Growing and evolving is hard though.
I sit in bed pensively, all is dark in my room, except for a slither of light creeping in through the curtains. It’s a cool autumn day. I get up, make myself a coffee, wash my face, and sit down; Peering out the window I see the clouds slowly arching their way over the sky; I see the light shroud of frost formed on the grass. I think to myself, “this truly is the life” It may not be much, it may not be anything else than what I’m used to. But this music, makes it more...
I think of my uncle who lived in the Philippines with the rest of my distant family. When I was born he flew down to the US to give me a giant purple stuffed bunny, at least 4 feet tall. It was soft and kept me company on many rainy days stuck inside,daydreaming about what could be. I am now 34,the same age he was when he flew down. He died of cancer about a month ago. Rest in peace uncle Perry. Mahal Kita Tito.
Plant is not ur friend if u eat it. Raise children for its nutrient food is not the best parenting. My point here is you say raise and vegetables wich is just the millenium of suffering to life consin
There's something weird about the sensations this brings me... I feel transported to when I was 4 years old, before I even had a music taste or before I played any videogames, so nothing to compare it to. It's just something inherently pure with this music that brings me back to when the weight of the world wasn't on my shoulders yet. Peace and love to all of you beautiful souls!
this made me remember how falling in love with someone should feel like, but that's not how i ever felt before. thank you for making me feel like i love someone.
I'm completely into Japanese Ambient New Age from the 80's and 90's, thanks to your uploads. This music is beautiful and ...helpful. Massive thank you!
@@revacharlotte In a similar vein to Music for Nine Postcards is Serie Reflexion 1, by Oscilation Circuit ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Po5fMKeHP0E.html
@@revacharlotte Hello:) My favorite is Ten-Jiku by Kitaro. It came out in 1983, just as the New Age movement was hitting the Bay Area. It seemed like we were at the beginning of something new, but alas, it degenerated into what felt like a commercialized venture. I suppose there will always be tag-alongs trying to make a quick buck from any movement. Ten-Jiku still reminds me of the best of those times before I became disillusioned. I even played it at the home-birth of my second son, 5 years ago:)
@@elijahjohn7115 I'm going to. Right now I mainly make rap, but I have made experimental instrumentals in the past. It will be a mix between this and Silent Hill music because that's what I listen to while I work on my horror novel.
This is like mistakenly wandering into an oasis where you don't know if it's a dream or not, but either way it's so beautiful you know you're going to stay.
I did a piece on Gaudi in school and developed a serious appreciation of architecture and art thanks to his works. He truly was a phenomenal man and a visionary.
La música que te hace experimentar emociones y sentimientos que no comprendes, personas extrañas hablando con el corazón, experiencias personales de desconocidos, y humanos con corazones cálidos y hermosos reunidos en un solo lugar por una persona que creó una obra de arte musical Gracias Takashi Kokubo por permitirnos encontrarnos aquí en un mismo sentir 🍀
I am so grateful for the youtube community. Thank you so much for posting wonderful music and gathering so many pure souls. I feel less lonely because of that. Peace and Love
Two years after you posted this I now read it today.......thank you, and you are not alone Anna, because I'm now linked arms with you too across these vast spaces of Time and love. X
Such beautiful music. Sometimes life hits you hard, someone you truly love leaves your life and it may seem like the pain will never heal, but music can help calm the spirit. Music is one of the highest forms of therapy...it's important to know everything will pass and you're never alone. It's also very nice to see all the sweet, melancholic, gentle souls out there in the comments.
As a vinyl head, getting into new age ambient has been a slightly frustrating experience because it was all released almost exclusively on CD in the early 90s. I keep coming back to this album, it's mesmerizing, I wish I could spin it on my turntable while I'm working.
Second track reminds of Japan's summer: cicada's crying, and various sounds of typical japanese objects that makes sounds when the air flows on them. The best time of my life was when I lived in Japan's countryside. Makes me nostalgic af.
Currently obsessed with this gorgeous album. Random recommendation for fellow travelers and seekers of beauty who've arrived at this comment: the documentary film "Antonio Gaudi" (1984) directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara, with a score by Toru Takemitsu, is a sublime experience, like this album.
ewdryk Glad to hear that! 😊 Sounds like a nice change for you. Keep exploring new songs of this genre if it feels good. Hope you'll feel better and become even better ~!
When I am afflicted with anxious breathlessness during the night, this is my ultimate go-to. I put it on loop and it plays all night. Soothing, inspiring to the imagination, inherently positive and full of life, uplifting, and lots more that I can't put into words.
This is literally one of the most beautiful/amazing things I've ever heard.. the sparkles.. the magic.. I'm feeling emotions... stop it... I'm not crying.. Yes i am
Something about the lead instrument in the first track really gets me. I’m glad I discovered this environment ambience stuff. It’s a perfect mix of music and white noises like rain. Maybe this is what Erik Satie meant when he said ‘music to be heard but not listened to’.
I woke up from getting severe muscle cramps around my back and chest as well as heart burn at the same time; it was getting hard to breathe. I pulled out my spike mat, turned on the wall hung bluetooth speaker and played this track. I’m now at ease. Thank you.
Like the first light of dawn, this music opens the eyes to new promises and all the wonders of nature. Evocative of belief in the afterlife and powers beyond observation, these pieces pull the strings of the heart, draw nostalgia and awaken loves, skinned lives and sleepy watchmen!
I've been watching some of Gaudi's works with this playing in the background and it just fits so well. This person has done an amazing job at capturing the aesthetic and overall feel of Gaudi's works, it's unbelievable.
This really helped with a web coding course I've been doing. If I put the volume low it doesn't compete with the instructors voice. It's like the wind blowing or birds chirping outside, but in the form of music. Thanks for the post!
There are days (most off them) when I feel nothing but a deep sadness, or simply a big emptiness on My heart and soul. I listen to this hoping some day I'll feel alive, and happy.
This is my favorite album of Takashi Kokubo. It has inspired me and helped to work. Best music to code or solve complex problem, with patience and thought continuum. Thanks for sharing this album.
I'm not much into this song while listening but now seeing how other's see this song and their experience makes me appreciate this. Thanks for sharing.
Can we please be friends? Tonight I'm binge listening to all the precious albums you've shared with us, and I can't stop feeling thankful! I feel like I can finally sleep in peace again.. 🌸
For another Japanese take on Gaudi, watch Teshigahara's film "Antonio Gaudi". I totally understand why his architecture would prompt this type of music, in a strange way, the architecture reminds me a bit of Morrowind :)
Enjoy it yourself! I feel that need to share it too but hey, maybe some day you will find someone that likes this kind of music, but for now you can enjoy and feel it alone, loneliness is beautiful when you learn to be with yourself 😊💜🌌🙏🏻
This is one of the great gifts of art - to connect you to your people, who are probably far from you in space and/or time, but closer to you than any others.
This is by far the best ambient music I have ever heard, I can't compare it to Eno or any other artist like Yoshimura but this album reminds me of being a baby in the womb and allows catharsis from my emotions. ♥️♥️♥️
Reminds me of the atmosphere of Okami, when Amaterasu enters one of those dreamlike celestial space-times, disconnected from the turbulent world, so silent and meditative. She's about to meet with one of the 13 Gods who will bestow upon her divine powers, but presently she's just hopping around the green floor, reviving here and there a sakura tree, and raising her head towards the sky to gaze at the flickering stars.
bruh i was tripping on shrooms and listening to Inori and i teleported to my childhood memories, could feel the smell of the air and everything. All the good times with friends in 2000's when i was 10. I cried like a little baby, beautiful experience
This gives me similar callbacks to own memories in my childhood in the same time period. Something about Kokubo's music fits the 2000s childhood beautifully.
@@johncaccioppo1142 Camp Nou, Input Bcn (if u like techno), park guell, u can walk all "Passeig de Gràcia to Plaça Catalunya to la rambla (where is la boqueria) ", and keep walking to the beach, Sagrada familia... You can go to Parc de la ciutadella and then to Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (Sants - Montjuïc), its on a hill of a small mountain and is a quiet place,,, If u like art in Raval (next to la rambla) there's "Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona", Museu Picasso, That's my favourites touristic places of bcn, and one advice, be aware of pickpockets, specially in the metro
I dreamed about a countryside of Spain in Summer, with simple people, cows on the alleys, little churches ringing their Bells, bees, flowers on the fields, and a tremenduous beautiful Summer evening after lunch, during the siesta.