gagaku
If you’ve ever visited a Shinto shrine, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the ethereal sound of gagaku, or traditional Japanese court music. It’s not exactly something that you’d throw in a club mix after “Turn Down For What,” though at one point it was used to accompany dances at the imperial palace. While Lil Jon may get your body shaking, with gagaku, which literally means “elegant music,” shaking isn’t really the goal.
Still, that didn’t stop DJ Krush, one of Japan’s most famous and respected turntablists, from getting together with a few gagaku musicians to play one of the most beautiful sets you’re ever likely to hear–and at a Tokyo Red Bull Music Academy event, no less!
MOST POPULAR
Now
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Japanese government will check and judge new baby name pronunciations, presents guidelines
This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Totoro towels gently glow in the dark to set the Ghibli nighttime mood in your home【Photos】
Cup Noodle sells new squid fork with its instant ramen
Makers of Dassai to brew sake in space and sell 100 milliliters for 100 million yen
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
How to get all-you-can eat doughnuts at Mister Donut for just 12 bucks!
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Weekly
Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
Studio Ghibli showcases traditional craftsmanship with new wallet range
Mysterious light-up rainy night-sound Totoro figure doesn’t actually show a scene from the anime- Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
- This downtown Tokyo cafe is like a time machine that takes you back 50 years into the past
Over 800 Studio Ghibli anime world paintings compiled in beautiful new hardcover art book【Pics】
Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke plushies show a softer side of formidable Ghibli characters
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Monthly
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Uniqlo announces first-ever collaboration with horror manga master Junji Ito【Photos】
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Starbucks Japan is calling it quits with paper straws
Studio Ghibli releases new range of cardigans for anime fans
Japan’s most popular castle raising ticket prices by up to 200 percent for non-local tourists
Furikake rice seasoning sales are soaring, which is bad news for Japan as a whole
Studio Ghibli heroine cardigans give you warmth and strength to face everyday challenges
Eight unforgettable hot springs, as recommended by Japan’s “Professor Bath”- Japanese company develops classy heavy metal band frames for glasses
Yearly
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers- Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Makers of Dassai to brew sake in space and sell 100 milliliters for 100 million yen
Major Japanese city is abolishing extracurricular activities at all of its middle schools
How to get all-you-can eat doughnuts at Mister Donut for just 12 bucks!
Starbucks Japan releases a new Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a floral bouquet
Evangelion and McDonald’s Japan launch first-ever collaboration with transforming figures【Video】
Studio Ghibli tea blends contain ingredients inspired by My Neighbour Totoro
Moving, burping No Face coin bank figure is back to receive your Ghibli fan generosity【Photos】
The oldest tunnel in Japan is believed to be haunted, and strange things happen when we go there
The new Ranma 1/2 anime is here! So is it worth watching?【SoraReview】
10 car names Japanese bloggers think are funny to foreigners (and 8 that actually are!)
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
What’s inside the Disney Store’s 10,000-yen Lucky Box? This year, actually useful items!
-
