Welcome!

Kitaro Mind arrives as a natural evolution to satisfy a growing public thirst for more insight into the special musical-spiritual odyssey created by the Music Saint, Kitaro.  I have received thousands of questions from enthusiastic fans the world over (Yes, even from a research station in Antarctica!) since I first started selling Kitaro's music in the Spring of 1993.  Starting with visitors, then repeat customers, and eventually the Internet, questions from enthusiastic fans started as a trickle and then as an ever increasing steady stream to this day.  This site is part of a larger network of sites developed to address individual aspects of the twentieth century's greatest living spiritual musician.   My comitment to presenting this information to the global community is a direct result of the profound positive changes that I have both seen and experienced. 

I created the following poem based on these many reflections of the Kitaro Mind experiences:

Customer’s interpretations would range from, “I feel the presence of God when listening to this music,” “Kitaro’s music should be the background music to life," “His music moves my soul or spirit," and, “Occasionally I cry with joy listening to Kitaro’s music.” While even Kitaro himself admits, “… Sometimes I cry when I listen to my music.”

Many seasoned professionals, within the music industry, have generalized; “Kitaro is a unique musician possessing an ability to embody the “human spirit” within his music”.

From a general worldwide point of Western view, Kitaro is shrouded in Eastern mystery. At times he is projected sitting atop a mountain in the lotus position, in meditation as a longhaired guru, imitating divine harmonies from the mythological spheres purported from Pythagoras. Kitaro is purely a gifted visionary musician utilizing his oriental bloodline, environment, and his ancient heritage, combined with his spiritual awakening from his adolescent years. All of his music becomes an ocean of wisdom blended into a oneness. His music has been called “picture music”. He utilizes his resources in the moment; he creates sounds into colorful threads of a musical tapestry, presenting his spiritual message “directed toward us”. A Japanese Zen Master once called Kitaro setu (bridge).

Thirty years ago, Kitaro initially had a cult following for his music, especially here in the West. They retained his early works but they did not follow his career. Their musical clock stopped at a quarter-past-Silk Road, with Kitaro. From my debriefing these fans from the seventies and eighties, I discovered in general, explored other musicians throughout the years. It seems many of those x-fans drifted away from Kitaro Mind. It also appears they became overwhelmed, or entrapped, with their own personal material struggle and lost their original attraction for developing and balancing a higher part of their mind with use of this music.

Kitaro’s recent past, and his current acceptance level, could be compared to the ebb and flow of the oceans waves or the forming and dissipation of the clouds above us. Often he would retreat to rural Japan to contemplate and rejuvenate the Kitaro Mind, for lengthy periods. He is also unique in that he produces what have been identified as “signature sounds," at his pleasure. These signature sounds can be applied to many different musical categories leaving some fans and followers with biased opinions. Unlike many musicians of today, having acquired an acceptable musical style centered on a massive public appeal and demand, their popularity can be here today or forever gone tomorrow. 

The primary purpose of Kitaro Mind is dedicated as another stepping-stone for promoting the lifetime accomplishments of this music saint Kitaro to a newer and broader worldwide audience than he has consistently received to date.

Kitaro’s World of Music is not for everyone nor is everyone ready for The World of Kitaro. To be genuinely appreciated for its beauty and mental joys, The World of Kitaro must be discovered precisely at the right time and space, as I had discovered.

Now we will delve into the Kitaro Mind.

Kitaro Mind came into being to exemplify Kitaro’s personal mission and his extraordinary musical messages. The words contained henceforth are of universal reference for literally presenting Kitaro Mind. The actual Kitaro Mind is contained within his music and can only be transmitted by sound (via the air sphere) individually to his worldwide audiences, through various media. Kitaro has often said, “Sounds are everything. Words sometimes make problems in the world. But sounds, no problem. Sound makes people feel.”

Kitaro Mind proudly, and confidently, presents here a sampling of Mr. Takahashi’s (aka Kitaro) quotes, a glossary of his Japanese record track titles, graphics, and a variety of his noteworthy accomplishments including professional testimonials. These revelations show he has consistently and persistently pursued his passion focusing on enlightening the world in his hopes of it becoming a better place to reside in. And perhaps he has become the modern day messenger as the musicians’ magician.

Any knowledgeable, and reasonable person, will easily recognize Kitaro Mind consistently exercises the universal Noble Eightfold Path of;
1. Right View
2. Right Thinking
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Diligence
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
 
Kitaro Mind has assimilated factual accounts from Mr. Takahashi’s fledgling beginnings through his current thirty-year (and growing) professional music saint career. Mr. Takahashi has lasted the test of time in producing Broadway Score (Cirque Ingénue), movie and animated soundtracks, television specials and documentaries (An Ancient Journey), including divine harmonies (Tunhuang). The entire diverse scope of Kitaro’s music is presented to the public under the guise of the ‘New Age’ music category, in very limited discography selections. On the average, Mr. Takahashi has consistently produced at least one new album per year since the seventies!

This discography is the root of his work. The balances of his albums are spider webs of compilations on top of compilations generated by greedy record companies. Many of his albums were nominated for Grammy, such as Dream and Mandala, just to mention a few. He received a Grammy Award for the single track ‘The Field’ from his Light of the Spirit album, and for the entire album Thinking of You, plus a Golden Globe Award for his creation of the original movie sound track for Heaven and Earth. He also received a special Chinese award for the movie soundtrack The Soong Sisters. His most recent (2004) Grammy nomination was Sacred Journey of Ku-kai. Plus, the world will probably never view his video Tamayura for its pure beauty paralleling the ancient stories told for centuries at Kabuki Theatre in Tokyo.

Mr. Takahashi had this to say about his album Thinking of You, “You in the title signify people close to me, people who have passed away or those far away from me. I tried to speak to each one of them in musical expression."

Mickey Hart, musicologist and drummer for the Grateful Dead and contributor to album Light of the Spirit stated, "Kitaro's sensibilities appeal to the voice within oneself and the voice within your partner. This ability to bring out the best music in a person is perhaps Kitaro's greatest asset as a musician. His approach is one of compassion coupled with the highest regard for the musician with whom he is playing. This allows for a fun-loving and carefree exchange of musical experiences. Kitaro is a rich mixture of modern day technique that is tempered with an ancient force. His attention to the spirit dimension and his love of all things from the nature world allows him to traverse diverse musical landscapes with tranquility and deep passion. Over the years we have shared many moments together in music and friendship.”

Mickey Hart also offers an interesting spin on the big bang theory of origins..."In the beginning was noise. And noise begat rhythm. And rhythm begat everything else."

A beautiful 18-page brochure titled “An Evening with Kitaro” accompanied Mr. Takahashi’s 1987 ‘Light of the Spirit’ World Concert Tour. This tour book has been printed on premium paper depicting scenes from nature with quotes from the ‘I Ching’ and some personal quotes from Mr. Takahashi himself. Mr. Takahashi presents the forward. This book was published by Hitachi and has been printed in both English and Japanese. It is now available exclusively, and in mint condition, in KitaroMusic.com's Memorabilia section in very limited quantities.

From three-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone, "...He (Kitaro) is a wonderfully gifted artisan and composer. His passion and hard work produced the music that beautifully fulfilled the imagery of the film we made together, Heaven and Earth. I think he ended up writing, over almost one year, three times the amount of music we used. He was tireless in going back again and again to the boards."

”Even after becoming famous, he (Kitaro) always calls me and comes to see me with a souvenir several times a year. I really think that is wonderful that Kitaro's personality and music never change whether or not he is poor. I am sure that he will continue to make beautiful melodies created by his rich personality.”
Takeshi Kato - Chairman, Korg

In addition, with reference to Kitaro Mind, some of his listening public has only sporadically experienced the mental joys of Mr. Takahashi’s music over the years without looking deeper into his profession or calling.

As the reader will soon discover, the intent of the Kitaro Mind project is not to label Mr. Takahashi as “this” or “that”. Nor do we desire to elaborate on his essence or psyche including his spiritual leanings as he travels along his sacred journey.

On March 15, 2002 Mr. Takahashi was awarded the Japan American Society’s “Art Without Borders” at the organizations 93^rd annual dinner and gala celebration in Los Angels, Ca.,

On Saturday 18 September, 2004, Mr. Takahashi was Awarded Ambassador of Peace from Earthdance: The Global Festival For Peace "The World's Largest Synchronized Music and Lifestyle Event" presented Mr. Takahashi with their first annual "Artist of Peace Award" The instrumental master, long associated with messages of peace and spirituality, will lead a Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia arena audience in "The Prayer for Peace".

Note: Check this exclusive site often to see future links to the Kitaro Mind.

“My music comes from a power beyond myself; it is not from my mind. My music is from Heaven; it goes through my body and out my fingers when I compose. The songs I write are not my songs they are music for everyone. My music is one for all mankind to enjoy and appreciate. It is a gift for everyone.” Mr. Takahashi.

Here again, Mr. Takahashi’s statement refers to two facts. First; he feels he is only the vehicle or messenger for the music. Second; he creates his music for the “Innocent People” (Mujaki), as record track number nine from his debut album “Oasis” indicates. 

Spiritual dance music (Dance OEM) and movements, mudras, mantras, the mandalas, and poetry represent Mr. Takahashi’s innovations. And especially his music! It is not the music of Mr. Takahashi in the conventional sense that the masses could typically understand or have a deep interest in. He is only the vehicle of transmuting the music for our benefit. This is not as strange as it sounds. For example, Mr. Thomas Edison was questioned where he was gathering all these thousands of ideas for his inventions and he made a statement to the effect that his ideas came to him “out of the air”. Mr. Edison was receptive to a higher power and was receiving specific information that mankind was ready for and he was only the energy transducer. Extensive open research has already documented many cases for those who have further interest. Sometimes we are inclined to think if it can’t be touched, or proven by scientific methods, it’s not real when in reality, the fact is, what we believe to be real is the illusion. Therefore the majority of people have been trained to regard only hard, coarse, physical, and most material things and to hold them to be the realities. Unless we are a student of this philosophy it is to our advantage to just continue enjoying Mr. Takahashi’s music, accept it if penetrates our spirit, smile and learn from that point forward.

Webster's dictionary (http://www.m-w.com) defines “mind” as;
   a: the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons;  
   b: the conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism;
   c: the organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of an organism.

Mr. Takahashi created the original soundtracks for NHK’s Japanese television series documentary the “Silk Road Journey”. This project, and series, would run for five years, which had begun back in 1979, for a total cost of over $50,000,000.00. In addition to Mr. Takahashi, NHK was also considering ten other musicians at that time but commissioned Mr. Takahashi based on the music from his album Oasis.

Oasis was Mr. Takahashi’s debut album showing his musical genius, produced in 1976.  Little could Mr. Takahashi have known Oasis would mark the beginning of a career that would span decades?  He was around 23 years old at this time.

To NHK, Mr. Takahashi’s music was “mind music” and would fit the theme of the Ancients traveling the Silk Road. Mr. Matsumoto stated Mr. Takahashi’s music is a natural flow of nature and matches his oriental bloodline. “Before one is born, this is the sound one hears," said Mr. Naja Oka.

Also see Tenjiku and Silk Road Suite for more insight into the early years of the Kitaro Mind.

"This is the place where my spiritual journey started. Therefore this must be the place where deep inside my spirit has been rooted."  Mr. Takahashi. Summer 1987 at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

The following is an excerpt taken from Don Campbell’s interview with Mr. Takahashi in 1992, from his book ‘Music and Miracles’:

”When I lived at Mt. Fuji almost fifteen years ago, in 1974 or 1975, I would experience strange and mysterious feelings. I could see Mount Fuji through a window of my house. I spent a whole day and a whole night watching the mountain as if it were a big picture. I watched the fall colors change. It was very beautiful.

At night there was a big rain and thunderstorm, and a large mudslide moved the house. When I felt the big rain and heard the thunder, I just closed my eyes, yet I could still see the image of Mt. Fuji perfectly! I stayed sitting in the same place. In the morning the window was facing the opposite direction!

I was afraid that I was going to die, but I sat in the same place day and night in meditation. That was the first major spiritual experience for me.”

The following article appeared in the Asia Weekly;
’The Mind Game’ 

Officials have launched a program to promote creativity. Can it work?

Gathered in a studio, swathed in the string music of Japanese performer Kitaro, about 80 men and women are doing what might be called mental calisthenics. They switch various arm positions as fast as they can, then hold their palms close with only the fingertips touching in order to "cap" the energy generated. The aim? To get both halves of their brain, the analytical and the creative, to work together. In other exercises, they learn how to massage acupressure points to keep themselves active and alert, and how to increase their students' memory.

Another technique employed by the Kitaro Mind is called Dynamic Meditation:
This spectacular meditation method remains a tremendous effective tool for naturally expanding consciousness.  The correct and safe meditation technique has four stages, each lasting ten minutes.

Stage 1) Start by standing with your eyes closed (blindfold optional) and breathe deep and fast through your nose for ten minutes. Allow your body to move freely. Jump, swayback and forth, or use any physical motion that helps you pump more oxygen into your lungs.

Stage 2) The second ten-minute stage is one of catharsis. Let go totally and be spontaneous. You may dance or roll on the ground. For once in your life screaming is allowed and encouraged. You must act out any anger you have in a safe way as beating the earth with your hands. All the suppressed emotions from your subconscious mind are to be released.

Stage 3) In the third stage you jump up and down yelling Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!, continuously for ten minuets. This sounds very silly, and it is funny, but the loud vibration of your voice travels down to your centers of stored energy and pushes that energy upward. When doing this stage it is important to keep your arms loose and in a natural position. Do not hold your arms over your head, as that position can be medically dangerous!

Stage 4) The fourth 10 minute stage is complete relaxation and quite. Flop down on your back, get comfortable, and just let go. Be as if a dead man totally surrendered to the cosmos. Enjoy the tremendous energy you have unleashed in the first three stages and be a silent witness to the ocean as it flows into the drop. Become the ocean.

Interestingly, Mr. Takahashi employs Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!, into his famous albums  Kojiki, track #6 Matsuri (festival); Live in America, track #5 Matsuri; Gaia, track #5 Satobiki; and also Karuna; track #6 Thanksgiving to Mother Earth.

Mr. Takahashi Prays for the Success of "Mangetsu Matsuri"

Monthly concerts to be held at Kyoto's five major shrines and temples

In the run-up to the "Kyoto Mangetsu Matsuri", Full Moon Festival, acclaimed composer and synthesizer artist, Mr. Takahashi’s, has paid a visit to the Heian Jingu Shrine and offered a prayer for world peace and the success of the event.

On three late-summer evening in 2001, beneath a brilliant full moon, Mr. Takahashi and his ensemble, accompanied by four extraordinary young Japanese musicians, gathered in Yakushiji to perform the first concert ever presented in the venerable temple, at Nara, Japan.

Mr. Takahashi gave a concert at the Heian Jingu Shrine part of the festival. He commented, "When I play at a sacred location, I always feel as if I were enfolded by the vast universe. I will bear in mind that I am in the presence of the deity and will perform with reverence."

An interesting side note: In or about 1989 Mr. Takahashi made his second home-studio high in the mountains just northwest of Boulder, Colorado to create his music. He claims, “Nature speaks to me there in the quietness of the mountains.” He continues to be influenced by the mountains today, as he is with Mt. Fuji in Japan. He has also remarked, “The mountains of Colorado are just as sacred as the mountains in Japan.”

Also in this Colorado area, Mr. Takahashi has taken part in Native American sacred ceremonies.  He has also incorporated the native American flute into his long list of musical instruments he performs with.

”When I did my first solo album (Astral Voyage), that’s when I started to think (Kitaro Mind) about the connections between East and West. Western music is all over Japan. People still focus mainly on Western culture, but Japan has a very deep meaningful culture and I want to bring some of that to the West," says Mr. Takahashi.

The Boulder area has also become the home to more than 5,000 displaced Tibetans. Among those is the famous Tibetan monk and musician Nawang Khechog. Mr. Takahashi produced the album Karuna and performed with Nawang Khechog at Mr. Takahashi 's home-studio in Colorado in 1995. Karuna translates into "compassion" from Sanskrit, and is the heart of Tibetan culture and spiritual tradition.

Interestingly, also in 1989, The Great Stupa, a Tibetan monument dedicated to peace, wisdom and compassion, had began construction just north of Mr. Takahashi home-studio near the Wyoming boarder at Red Feather Lake, Colorado. Donations and hundreds of volunteers finally completed The Great Stupa in 2001. Coincidentally, I was invited to attend the ‘Grand Opening’ in August 2001. However, due to other obligations, I visited The Great Stupa just a few days prior to the World Trade Center murders of 11 September. (Please see the Glossary for ‘Stupa’. And see our link Shambhala Mountain)

Continuing with the Kitaro Mind and the Tibetan connection, Mr. Takahashi, accompanied by the Loseling Tibetan Monks, presented a live concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City on Saturday 9 October, 1993. This auspicious festival was titled “The Sacred In The Arts Conference And Celebration. Over a three day period, some of the most visionary people on the planet gathered together to discuss: “Transcending Contemporary Taboos: Reawaking to Beauty, Wonder, and Sacred Values Through The Arts”. Featured speakers were Thomas Moore, author of New York Times best seller, ‘Care of the Soul; Ismail Merchant, producer of the Academy Award winning ‘Howard’s End; Ciel Bergman, painter; Thomas Berry, author, ecologist; William McDonough, architect, advisor to President Clinton; Edgar Lansbury, producer of ‘Godspell’ and President of the Nicholas Roerich Museum; Fredrick Franck, sculptor and author. The proceeds from Mr. Takahashi’s concert were donated to the Dalai Lama’s efforts to raise public awareness of the Tibetan situation that continues to exist in China even today.

Also in 1993, the ambitious Mr. Takahashi served as music director for this 1993 film production of Heaven and Earth and was also honored Composer’s Award for his achievement at the 51^st Golden Globe awards.

Three years later, Mr. Takahashi creates his Christmas album Peace on Earth and again donates a portion of those proceeds to Earth Communications Office (E.C.O.), which is a non-profit environmental charity organization. And again, eight years later the Kitaro Mind has committed the proceeds from his current concerts, and future concerts, from his Sacred Journey of Kukai series music to donate sacred bells on all the five continents for the benefit of “World Peace”.

Later on we will see how the Kitaro Mind reacts to the September 11^th tragedy and what action he will take to best utilize all his resources for the benefit of mankind.

”The wars in the world don’t come from outer space,” states Mr. Takahashi’s view.

The Kitaro Mind, body, and spirit continues to be a developing organism and preparing itself to set out upon a lifetime commitment composing signature sounds, and to continue to embody the human spirit within his music, as we can now read his first published poem from 1986:

TENKU

I SEND A MESSAGE OF SOUND
TOWARD THE SKY
ENGULFING EMPTY SPACE
SORING FAR BEYOND GRASP
HIGH ABOUE MOUNTAIN TOPS
BEYOND OCEAN WAVES
STRETCHING TO REACH THE ANDES
AND LIGHTLY TOUCHING NEPAL
WATCH AS THE SOUNDS FLOW
LISTEN AS YOU FEEL THE WIND BLOW
NATURE IS COLORED WITH ROMANCE
UNFOLDING A DRAMA DAY BY DAY
PLANTS BREATH A RHYTHM
INSECTS PLAY THEIR MELODY
LIGHT FLIES AS WIND CRYS
NOW CATCH THE SOUND…FEEL THE LIGHT
BY FEELING THINGS WHICH ARE WITH LIFE
INNOCENTS RESPOND TO THE DELICATE SIGH
OF THE WORLD, WEAVING THEIR OWN DREAMS
DREAMS WHICH SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
PEOPLE BEGIN TO SING HARMONIES OF LOVE, WORDLESS
THIS IS A BEGINNING
CONNECTING THE DREAM
TO THE COLOR OF YOUR BREATHLESS HEART
PEACE AND TRANQUILITY, YOU NEED ONLY TO SING
IT IS FOR YOU

As we could interpret, Kitaro Mind poetry is not restricted to one specific thought but encompasses all living entities that are woven together affecting a collective dream reality by feelings we call nature. Again, it should be understood that we couldn’t elaborate or speculate about another’s essence, psyche, spirituality, etc. What can be presented is personal knowledge of Mr. Takahashi through his music and his candid remarks.

Eight years later in 1994, the Kitaro Mind creates a second poem for his Grammy Nominated album Mandala:

THE GREAT SPIRIT
Great Spirit
All living things come face to face with the Great Spirit
And the Great Spirit dwells within all living things

                                       Tree

                                          Flower

                                                Water

                                                      Earth

                                                           Wind… all things

At times the Great Spirit is severe
At times the Great Spirit is soothing
Encompassing all life
Everyplace the Great Spirit dwells
is the source of a gentle crystalline light
And within that light we become One
Floating as if in our mother’s warm body
Living together as children of the earth
Without time
Without end…

Note: This poem is from Mr. Takahashi’s album ‘Mandala’ and is subsequently recited to music by a member of The International Peace Choir on his album ‘Peace on Earth’.

Mr. Takahashi has currently (2003 through 2013 and beyond) embarked upon an unprecedented mission, as he states below. Please see www.kitaro.us for this ongoing and developing story.

On September 11, 2001 Mr. Takahashi said, “I was returning back home to Colorado, from Japan, when New York was struck. Without any explanation, our flight was diverted to an emergency landing in Hawaii. In the hotel, I was shocked when I saw the disaster on television.” For his five-days of confinement in Hawaii, he had been questioning himself in regard to what he could do? It occurred to him he had produced the music for NHK’s (Japanese television) special Shikoku 88 Places. Then Mr. Takahashi said, “The sound of bells affects the home of the human mind and peace… so how about putting my music there?” From next year (2004) and on, Mr. Takahashi plans to hold charity concerts and from that profit his desire will be to make a “bell of peace” and leave one in each of the five continents.

We can see Mr. Takahashi is genuinely applying equanimity to the situation as he utilizes his musical talents in preparation for “Sending a Message of Sound Toward the Sky”.

As Mr. Takahashi says, “ This will be my life’s work from now on….”

Mr. Takahashi states, “His wish will be to elevate the conflicts of this confused world environment utilizing deceased spirits.” He feels if his effort only helps to resolve “one” world conflict, he has been successful.

To continue with this article, Mr. Takahashi says, “ There lacks spirituality in Japan these days in the form of music and arts. We should rejuvenate the culture then it is possible to heal it in the form of music and art.” Personal Commentary: In the distant past, the Japanese people followed an esoteric tradition as a way of discovering the mysterious kingdom within our human structures, thus creating the harmony between man and nature that had an intrinsic appeal.

He has concentrated bringing the world together before, performing at the closing ceremony of the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, leading 450 Japanese taiko drummers, including 100 on these enormous sacred instruments, in a performance based on the "Onbashira" festival.

"I give thanks for meeting with many people. I entered the music world thinking it was cool. It has been 26 or 27 years I don't exactly remember when, since I started to deal seriously with sound. I knew nothing back then, but now I know I have learned to be able to express myself a little through music. I have met a lot of people, and they have taught me things about music and other things. I hope my music can contribute to this world even a little bit in this 21st Century. Thank you! Thank you! With palms joined together in prayer," Mr. Takahashi

Initially Mr. Takahashi’s album titles and records tracks were only in his native Japanese language. However as his presence ebbed and receded throughout the Western world these titles and tracks were blended with English. Some of the subtle nuances of the actual Japanese meanings were lost or did not clearly reflect his message in the titles or tracks. Fortunately for the listening public, regardless of these infractions, they did not misinterpret his musical message.

"My ultimate goal," says Mr. Takahashi, "Is to keep expressing my feelings in music, and for the people to enjoy it." “With no beginning and with no end.”

Kitaro Mind concludes with Benjamin Franklin’s statement, “Well done is better than well said.” This statement simply mirrors the results of Mr. Takahashi’s wordless musical ability and the (magic) positive affects it has on people’s lives from all walks of life. There are no metaphors like word-forms or labels to describe or define the Kitaro Mind or the music it produces.

Indulge yourself in Mr. Takahashi’s current spiritual mission and listen to his sacred music exclusively on www.kitaro.us as he commits, “This will be my life’s work from now on….”

Please (Japanese: domo arigato) view www.kitaromusic.com to Kitaro’s “Gateway of Heavenly Music”. This is a comprehensive website of this music saint’s visionary music complete discography, videos, and more insight into the Kitaro Mind.

Read the book Spirit House-The Compass of Connections by Charles E. Guffey. This narrative is a chronicle of special moments in the author's life and shared with others. He discovered heavenly music from the Kitaro Mind that was the missing ingredient from his retail store. This book shares the author's perspective on the learning process, connecting Kitaro's music. This is a delightful and enlightening read.

For a snapshot of Mr. Takahashi’s complete alphabetical and chronological listings of his albums, with record titles, please see www.kitarorecords.com. 

Below is only a reflection of the Kitaro Mind in glossary form. These are words and phrases Mr. Takahashi has purposely used for his album titles and record tracks identified on his discography, throughout the years.

For your convenience, we have used the ramaji script (English) for the Western reader translated from original Japanese media that utilized the kanji, hiragana and katakana writing systems.

GLOSSARY:
 
Aratanaru Taibiji- Japanese: literally, newer travel road

Asa No Inori- Japanese: literally, morning pray, (prayer)

Bosatsu- Japanese: Bodhisattva (teacher of Buddhist law)

Butoh- Japanese: Japanese avant-garde dance originated by Hijikata, Tatsumi in the 1960’s.  The main theme is the expression of the body through the form of Japanese dance.

Chi- Japanese: Energy

Chohjo- Japanese: The Great Wall of China

Daichi- Japanese: Great Earth

Domo- Japanese: literally, Thank You (informal)

Estrella- Span.; literally, star

Ganga- Hindu; Translates to the river Ganges, which originates in the Himalayas at Gangotri and flows into the Bay of Bengal. It is as sacred to Hindus as is the Jordan River is to Christians

Genso, Silk Road- Japanese: Silk Road Fantasy

Gaia- Translates to; Goddess of Earth, or Mother Earth

Gi- Japanese: literally, Art

Hajimari- Japanese: beginning

Harukanaru Taiga- Japanese: literally, The Great River
The name Tenjiku is also used but it is not of Japanese origin and translates to: (India) In the Indus River (sindhu). This is the great trans-Himalayan river of South Asia and one of the longest rivers in the world, having a length of 1,800 miles and rests in the semi-arid plains of Pakistan. The river is twice that of the Nile and three times that of the Tigris and Euphrates combined. The river's name comes from the Sanskrit word sindhu (“river” or “stream”). It is mentioned in the Rigveda the earliest (c. 1500 BC) chronicles and hymns of the Aryan peoples of ancient India, and is the source of the country's name.

Hikari No Mai- Japanese:   Light Dance

Hikari No Sono- Japanese: Source of Light

Hikari To Kage- Japanese:   Shimmering Light (ref. shimming horizon)

Hiten- Japanese: Flying cloud (ref. flying celestial nymphs)

Itonami- Japanese: Pursuit, practice, performance

Inochi No Izumi- Japanese: Eternal spring

Jikukan- Japanese: Time travel

Jiu Gan Tang Mai Wu- (Definition to be determined = TBD)

Jiyu Eno Kakehashi- Japanese: literally, Bridge for freedom

Kageroh- Japanese: Heat Haze (mirage)

Karakhoto No Genso- Japanese: Silver Moon

Karuna- Hindu, Buddhist, Zen ; Translates to compassion, active sympathy and gentle affection.

Ki- Japanese: literally, “Action”; In Zen the unique fashion that each master has of training his students, which arises from his particular personality and the depth of his realization of Zen.

Kiotoshi- Japanese: Special Japanese festival utilizing large trees to be used for sacred pillars in the construction of Buddhist temples.

Kitaro- Japanese: literally, “Much happy man”

Koan- Japanese: literally, “public notice” ;  In Zen a koan is a phrase from a teaching on Zen realization. That which is “beyond” (Gk., para) “thinking” (Gk., dokein), which transcends the logical or conception. Thus, since it cannot be solved by reason, a koan is not a riddle. Solving a koan requires a leap to another level of comprehension.

Kobo Daishi-Japanese: A Buddhist name for a developer or promoter of Buddhist law. Ironically, the Japanese also referenced ‘Kobo’ to the great Greek poet Homer from the 8th Century B.C. Ku-kai became ‘Kobo-Daishi” (774-835 A.D.). Daishi translates to master and Kobo Daishi becomes master teacher.

Koi- Japanese: literally, Love and Passion

Kojiki- Japanese: A famous Japanese chronicle of the creation of Japan or ancient Yamoto.
From Mr. Takahashi’s 1990 Kojiki World Tour Concerts: This tour was presented by JVC and Amuse America. The concert was accompanied by a graphic (7”x20”) 36-page book, printed on premium pager, depicting copies of old Japanese prints describing this famous myth of the creation of Yamoto (Japan) through the new dawn. In the back of this tour book are “Eleven Steps Toward a More Beautiful world’ illustrate Mr. Takahashi’s albums. This very important medium is available exclusively in KitaroMusic.com's Memorabilia section.

Kokoro- Sino-Japanese: literally, “heart, spirit, consciousness, soul, mind, outlook, sense, interiority and thought”

Kumikyoku- Japanese: Suite, arrangement

Kuu- Japanese: Sky

Ku-kai- Japanese: Sky and Ocean

Linden-
During the filming of the Silk Road five year television series, the NHK crew observed the local people and their survival techniques to the extreme desert heat by lying on the ground at midday under the shade of the linden tree with its dense heart shape leaves. In giving thanks to this tree, Mr. Takahashi composed the music “Linden”. Austrian composer Schubert (1797-1828) had also been inspired by this tree of life.

Maboroshi- Japanese: illusion, also see Genso

Mai- Japanese: dance

Mandala- (Sanskrit)
The word Mandala literally means circle and originates from Hinduism and Buddhism. It is a tantric meditation device and its purpose is to be a visual aid for concentration and introversive meditation leading to the attainment of insights and to activation of forces culminating in sidhi supernatural forces. The Mandala is a graphic representation of this process. It is not only theoretical, but also practical as an operational scheme involving a clear plan for realization of the process within oneself. It thus becomes an instrument (yantra). There are many types and varieties of mandalas depending on the nature of the central deity.

The Mandala is fundamentally something secret. If you are interested in it in order to acquire reputation, and feel pride in showing what you have worked out to others, you do not have the right attitude. If however your work springs from efforts to offer help to other people, that is the right attitude of mind, which will contribute to the liberation of yourself and others. From the Buddhist monk Khenpo Thubten

Mandalas are an aspect of Tantric Buddhism that, due to their colorful complexity, has attracted a great deal of interest. Taking a variety of forms, from simple diagrams and more elaborate paintings on cloth to complicated patterns of colored sand and large three-dimensional carved structures, mandalas have a profoundly symbolic value. We Tibetans regard them as sacred ...Consequently many speculative and mistaken interpretations have been published by people who viewed them simply as works of art or had no access to reliable explanations. Because the severe misunderstandings that can then arise are more harmful than a partial lifting of secrecy, I have often encouraged the writing of more accurate accounts.

His Holiness, The XIV Dalai Lama

Mr. Takahashi states, “A whole that is truly the unified sum of its parts - the visible and invisible, spanning inner space and outer space, unbound by time - a reflection of the artist on the continuum of inspiration. This is the essence of Mandala.”

Note: Mr. Takahashi was nominated for his album Mandala in 1994 followed by the 1995 PBS Special An Enchanted Evening also nominated for Grammy, containing Mandala.

A beautiful 16-page color brochure printed on premium paper depicting images that embody the many influences accompanied Mr. Takahashi’s 1994 Mandala World Tour concert. Included are personal quotes from Mr. Takahashi. This tour book is printed in English and is made available exclusively, in mint condition, in the Memorabilia section of kitaromusic.com.   An important note should be made of the cover art used for this album. World renown Visionary artist, Robert Venosa was commissioned to create the timeless look.

Mantras- Sanskrit; a power-laden syllable or series of syllables that manifest certain cosmic forces. Continuous repetition of 108 mantras is practiced as a form of meditation. Here mantra is defined as a means of protecting the Kitaro Mind. In the transformation of “body, speech, and mind” that is brought about by spiritual practice, mantras is associated with speech, and its task is the sublimation of the vibrations developed in the act of speaking. Recitation of mantras is always done in connection with detailed visualizations and certain bodily postures (mudras). (See ‘Sarasvati’ in this glossary how the Kitaro Mind incorporates a specific mantra.)
 
Michi- Japanese: road

Mizu Ni Inori Te- Japanese: pray for water

Mori No Tami- Japanese: people of the forest

Moro-rism- Japanese: TBD

Mu- (Zen) Japanese (Chinese, Wu)-
Lit. Nothing, not, nothingness, un-, is not, has not, not any...When the student has mastered it, it is said that he has become acquainted with "the world of Mu." The first koan received by a Zen student. In the course of Zen training this Mu is to be experienced and demonstrated on ever-deeper levels. Example: What is the sound of one hand clapping? Nothing!

Mudras-For examples of Kitaro Mind mudras,  please look at the inside jacket cover of Mr. Takahashi’s album of An Ancient Journey shown below. Insert Kitaro hand gestures "mudras" from an ancient journey into glossary...good touch Use mudras gestures from Eastern Philosophy book

Mugen Soi- Japanese: TBD

Mujaki- Japanese: innocent people

Nagare no Naka de- Japanese: in the stream

Nageki- Japanese: be grieved and regret

Nen- Japanese: refers to year

Nen, 40080- Japanese: the year 40080

Nipponjin- Japanese: Japanese person

Nishi Ni Mukkatte- Japanese: toward the west (ref. westbound)

Onbashira- Japanese: Japanese sacred temple pillars festival every seven years. Note: The next event is scheduled for April/May 2010

On Gaku- Japanese: literally,  sound enjoyment (orchestra), music

Orochi- Japanese: Battle

Puromesyume- Japanese: Dream, imaginary

Reimei- Japanese: Dawn

Ru- Japanese: Spread, Circulate

Saisei- Japanese:Reincarnation

Sarasvati- Hindu-Sanskrit;
Literally a legendary river, located partly underground, which converged in the vicinity of Prayaga with the Ganges and the Yamuna. It was held sacred by the people of India even in ancient Vedic times, when they had not reached the Ganges, and was venerated as a goddess who later became Brahma’s consort (the god of all worldly things). She is also the goddess of the “stream of speech,” of rhetoric, scholarship, and intuition (the divine word). The inception of Sanskrit and of its alphabet (Devanagari) is attributed to her. She is also the patron of the arts, especially of music.

Sarasvati’s religious image has four symbolic arms, two hands holding the musical instrument identified as the vina, one hand holding one hundred and eight prayer beads and one hand holding knowledge. She spans the world of mundane knowledge and spiritual understanding.

Interestingly, Mr. Takahashi composed a song of salutation to Sarasvati in a live performance shown on PBS titled “An Enchanted Evening.” He closes the song with fifty-four mantras of Ohm Eim Saraswatyei Swaha, meaning; Om and salutations to that feminine energy which informs all artistic and scholastic endeavors, and which Eim (pronounced I'm) is the seed. 

Satobiki- Japanese: village

Seimei no Izumi- Japanese: eternal spring

Seiun- Japanese: Holy Cloud

Setu- Japanese: bridge A Japanese Zen Master called Kitaro setu

Shichu No Michi- Japanese: Silk Road

Shikoku Henro- Japanese: Spiritual pilgrimage

Shimpi Naru Suna No Mai- Japanese: secret sand dancing (ref. magical sand dance)

[Shinpi Naru Sunano- Japanese: TBD Shimpi Naru Suna no Mai (in person digital)

Shizen No Kaori- Japanese: Scent of nature (ref. fragrance of nature)

Shizuku No Mai- Japanese: Equivalent, no direct translation; (rain) drop dance

Shizukesa No Nakade- Japanese: In the midst of quietness (ref. peace)

Shoro- Japanese: Bell tower

Soong (Sisters)- Chinese: A prominent Chinese family whose members include Ching-ling (1890- ), the widow of Sun Yat-sen, and Mei-ling (1898- 2003), the wife of Chiang Kai-shek.

Sozo- Japanese: Imagination.

Stupa- Tibetan
A spiritually empowered monument, a stupa symbolizes our inherently enlightened nature and provides us with a map for realizing it. Shortly before his passing 2,547 years ago, the Buddha instructed his students to cremate his body and place the remains in a stupa. These shrines continue to be constructed to express the aspirations for peace; harmony and liberation from suffering that are the essence of Buddhist tradition. Please see the links section of www.kitaroconnection.com.

Tao- (Chinese): literally, “Way” Central concept of Taoism. Tao also is the central feature of the Tao-te ching and the chuang-tzu.

Tabiji- Japanese: Travel road (ref. journey)

Takuramakan Sabaku- Japanese: Takla Makan Desert in China

Tamayura- (Obsolete Japanese word): literally, Tamayura translates into moving ball, waving ball, sphere or mirage.

Tanne- Japanese: Seed

Ten Kai- Japanese: Astral Voyage

Ten San (Tenzan)- Japanese: Heaven Mountain

Ten To Chi- Japanese: Heaven and Earth

Tenchi Sohzo Shin- Japanese: Heavenly Father

Tenku- Japanese: Heavenly sky.

Toki No Nagare- Japanese: Stream of time (ref. time)

Tokusen- Japanese: Special selection

Tonko- Japanese: Tunhuang

Towa No Michi- Japanese: Eternal road (ref. everlasting road)


Tunhuang- Chinese;
Tunhuang (Dunhuang) is an oasis in the province of Kansu in northwestern China. Famous caves were discovered in 1900 from the 5th century known by the name Mo-Kao-ku. Over 40,000 written Taoist and Confucianist scrolls where excavated along with paintings and ritual implements. Included in this was one of the oldest ink drawings of a Mandala known to us dated from the 9th-10th century.

Kitaro was creating the majority of the Silk Road music while traveling with the NHK’s Silk Road film crew, as they passed through such places as Tunhuang.

WA - Japanese: harmony, peace, to soften, to calm down

Yamadashi - Japanese: Mountain

Yamoto - Japanese: Ancient name for Japan

Yoake - Japanese: Dawning

Yotaro - Japanese: Vagabond; A name given to Kitaro by the Chairman of Korg. See the Home Page of www.kitaromusic.com for more information.

Additional statements from Kitaro Mind:

“I like to stay in nature, working, walking and learning,”  Kitaro.
”My music comes from nature one hundred percent,”  Kitaro.
”I like to follow more natural movements. All my songs come from nature. I express nature by my music,”   Kitaro.
”My basic idea: New creations by traditional peoples,” Kitaro.
“It is our sincere wish we have contributed in a positive manner to satisfying a growing public thirst for more insight into the sound odyssey created by the Kitaro Mind,” Kitaro Mind (and you can quote  us on this one!).

”I feel this is my mission,
connecting the people,
connecting the spirits
of all over the world
beyond nations,"
Mr. Takahashi
 (Kitaro)