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In Person: In the spirit
New Age music guru Kitaro returns from beyond with a Grammy,
a new live album and a tie-up Silk Road tour. Stephen Cotterill got the
scoop from the virtuoso himself.
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Whether you're a fan of Kitaro's particular brand of synthesized
easy listening or not, he is undeniably one of Japan's biggest
musical exports. Nominated for a Grammy award a total of eight times,
he finally won it last year in the New Age category for his album Thinking
of You. "It was great to finally win the award," he says.
"It wasn't much fun going to the award-giving parties and
not actually winning anything."
The 49-year-old self-taught multi-instrumentalist began making music in
the '70s, achieving mass recognition in 1980 when he penned the
soundtrack to the NHK television series "Silk Road," which
garnered worldwide praise from critics and housewives alike. This led
to bigger and better things including writing the film score for Hong
Kong-made drama The Soong Sisters and Oliver Stone's Heaven and
Earth, for which he won a Golden Globe award. Being a free spirit, Kitaro
has collaborated with almost everyone, from Grateful Dead drummer Mickey
Hart and John Anderson of Yes to Megadeath's Marty Friedman.
Kitaro was back in his homeland in July to host two live shows at the
Honmon-ji shrine in Tokyo and promote his forthcoming album, Yakushiji
Live, scheduled for release this fall on DVD and double CD on Domo Records.
Kitaro recorded nearly two and a half hours of his most popular tunes
of the last 25 years during the live sessions last year at Yakushiji Temple
in Nara. The temple is home to the ashes of Genjo Sanzo, the 7th-century
monk who walked the Silk Road from Japan to India and back. The tireless
monk brought the message of Buddhism back from India. "It was Genjo's
journey that originally inspired the Silk Road music," says Kitaro.
"The passion we expressed in the Yakushiji concert reflected, I
believe, the passion of Genjo's journey." The CD release
ties up with an ambitious Silk Road tour, which starts at Nara and follows
Genjo's path as far as Beijing, Shanghai and Xian in China, with
plans to extend the tour to Afghanistan, Egypt and Turkey in 2003-2005.
Almost as energetic as the monk, Kitaro is also planning a world tour
next year including Europe and approximately 25 dates in the US.
The Silk Road tour coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties
between Japan and China, and this is also one of Kitaro's motivations.
"I hope one day that the Chinese and Japanese governments can communicate
from the heart," he says. "And that our tour will contribute
in some small way to the achievement of peace on earth." This type
of simplicity is key to Kitaro's ideology, and it takes a healthy
lack of cynicism to swallow. "My mission is to unite all the people
of the world through my music, and my final destination is world peace,"
he adds with no trace of incredibility.
Kitaro's music reflects his global attitude. Employing a range
of ethnic instruments and musical cultures, his CDs sit quite comfortably
along side the likes of Enya and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole in the cozy World
Music section of HMV. But, keeping true to his Moog Synthesizer roots,
Kitaro still resists the temptation to embrace the digital age. "Today
everything is sampled, many unique sounds are lost, and much of the output
recycled. I still use my old analog synthesizers, Mellotron and other
toys from the '70s. They sound richer, warmer than today's
digital instruments. I think we need to stop and look back. Digital is
fine for some tools, but in the process we lose some life. It can be a
high cost."
Kitaro now spends most of his time in the studio at his 180-acre ranch
in the mountains of Colorado, but when back home he resides in his traditional
Japanese farmhouse in the wilderness of Nagano. Nature is his primary
source of inspiration, and being among the mountains aids the creative
flow. "The energy is the same in both places," he says.
"At 10,000 feet the air is very thin and somehow it affects my
creativity. I just want to see the mountains and make music." He
claims his music is the interpretation of the rhythms and energies that
drive nature. "When I compose, I am translating invisible energies
all around me into music. They're spirits, and I need space and
silence to hear them and to express their voices. I am only a messenger."
But despite all the new age ramblings, Kitaro also addresses some of the
more concrete ills of our time such as environmental problems and the
erosion of traditional Japanese culture. "Japan has become like
a copy machine. I travel between America and here, and I see little difference.
Where is Japan's culture? Its identity?" In an effort to
promote Japanese culture and simultaneously further his aim of world peace,
Kitaro is recording the sounds of 88 temple bells and using them to form
the basis of tracks, some featuring guest artists. He hopes the project,
titled Peace Bell, will produce 8-10 CDs, with proceeds from sales being
donated to the temples. The first two albums are planned for release next
year.
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B u y i t o n l i n
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The Spy Who Shagged Me [DVD] |
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IN PERSON:
539: Sea worthy
Deep Blue director Andy Byatt breaks the surface after five years of filming
the ocean. Carlo Niederberger reports.
538: The public eye
Switch on a TV “wide show” and there’s a good chance you’ll
see Dave Spector commenting on the news or debating panelists. Chris Betros
meets the TV junkie.
537: Casting a spell
Fans in Japan can't get enough of Harry Potter, whether it's movies, books,
merchandise or the stars themselves. Chris Betros catches some of the Hogwarts
gang in Tokyo.
536: Page turner
Longtime Tokyo entrepreneur Rick Roa has enough stories to fill a dozen
lifetimes, as his biographer found out. Chris Betros hears some of the juicy
ones.
535: Glitter twins
Will Matthew Bourne's latest reinterpretation of a classic strike a chord
in Japan? Lead dancers Scott Ambler and Richard Windsor tell Dan Grunebaum about
Play Without Words.
534: Character study
Puerto Rican star and Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro turns in another intense
performance in 21 Grams. Chris Betros reports.
533: The big freeze
Roland Emmerich and his team are chilling audiences with their ice age disaster
film The Day After Tomorrow. Chris Betros joins them out of the cold.
532: Hitting a Homer
At 40, Brad Pitt looks to be in pretty good shape after a tough shoot and
even tougher publicity schedule for Troy. Chris Betros reports.
531: Trade deficit
A new book by Robert Whiting looks at Japan’s latest quality export
to America: Ichiro and the boys. Rob Smaal catches up with the author.
530: Hey Jude
British actor Jude Law is very low-key about his sex-symbol status in Japan.
Chris Betros gets a close-up look.
529: Field goals
After three years as a San Francisco 49ers cheerleader, Ai Yasuda tells
Sachie Kanda the lessons she learned from the Gold Rush.
528: Voice of reason
Whether he’s on InterFM or co-hosting the Japanese version of 60 Minutes,
veteran Japan resident Peter Barakan brings a mature view to the masses. Chris
Betros listens in.
527: Rock enroll
Comedian-rocker Jack Black is in fine form during a jaunt to promote School
of Rock. Chris Betros listens in.
526: Spoils of war
Director Anthony Minghella and Oscar-winner Renée Zellweger revisit
the Civil War in Cold Mountain. Chris Betros takes note.
525: Second acts
Dewi Sukarno wears many hats-social critic, TV personality and charity fundraiser.
Chris Betros visits the former first lady of Indonesia.
524: State of Grace
TV variety show presenter Hiroko Grace thrives in the hustle and bustle
of New York. Chris Betros finds out what she’s been up to.
523: Manga mania
TokyoPop founder Stuart Levy has struck gold as the leading publisher of
Japanese manga in the US. Chris Betros finds out what’s behind the boom.
522: Queen of hearts
Newly crowned Miss Nippon Yuriko Saga is ready to seize the day. Carlo Niederberger
meets the new belle of the ball.
521: Remember when
A beefed-up Ben Affleck says he wants to keep all his memories-unlike his
character in John Woo's thriller Paycheck. Chris Betros finds out why.
519: Bilingual beat
Red carpets at the Grammys, TV interviews and radio work keep Yuka Komaki
pretty busy. Chris Betros catches up with the globetrotting personality.
518: Full speed ahead
Australian director Peter Weir takes us back in time on an epic voyage in
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Chris Betros books his passage.
517: American dream
Switch-hitting shortstop Kazuo Matsui is set make a splash as the first
Japanese infielder to play in the Major Leagues. Rob Smaal reports on his big
move.
516: Hail the hobbits
Accolades and awards are making it hard for Peter Jackson and his cast to
adjust to life after Lord of the Rings, reports Chris Betros.
515: In the name of love
Only 20, British actress Keira Knightley is already building an impressive
body of work, the latest being the romantic comedy Love Actually. Chris Betros
reports.
514: Horsing around
Tobey Maguire swaps his Spider-Man costume for a jockey's kit in the acclaimed
Depression-era drama Seabiscuit. Chris Betros reports.
513: Free bird
Actress-model Anna Umemiya juggles single parenthood, work and the tabloids.
Chris Betros asks how she does it.
512: Girl next door
Fame hasn't gone to Holly Valance's head, Chris Betros finds after meeting
the former Neighbours star and now Australian singing sensation.
511: Emotional baggage
Fumiko Ishioka uses an old suitcase from a young Auschwitz victim to teach
Japan's children about the Holocaust. Chris Betros hears more.
508: All that jazz
Filipino singer Charito is still winning fans after 20 years on the Tokyo
jazz scene. Chris Betros checks out her style.
507: Lord of the rings
Hollywood can't get enough Japanese horror movies to remake. Producer Takashige
Ichise loves it, Chris Betros learns.
506: Men of honor
Tom Cruise and Edward Zwick say we can all learn from the samurai code of
ethics. Chris Betros dusts off his armor for a few lessons.
505: A lofty goal
Ken Ohtaka swapped a top job at a securities company for mountain climbing
to raise money for charity. Chris Betros finds out why.
504: Gallo's humor
Vincent Gallo comes out swinging in defense of his controversial movie The
Brown Bunny. Chris Betros dodges a few punches.
503: Making J-Waves
Radio navigator, TV host, event MC and jewelry designer Chris Peppler has
a lot on his plate. Chris Betros finds out how he manages it all.
502: Glitter Ball
501: Crossing swords
Quentin Tarantino pays homage to Japan, strong women and anime with buckets
of blood in Kill Bill. Chris Betros lives to tell the tale.
500: Share the wealth
To commemorate our 500th issue, Metropolis is asking Halloween partygoers
to donate ¥500 to help two local children's charities. Chris Betros digs
deep.
499: In full bloom
Okinawan-American singer DAHLIA hits the big time, thanks to Japanese rock
icon Yoshiki and Expo 2005. Chris Betros meets the young talent.
498: Just for laughs
The Sushi Brothers have a joke for every occasion. Chris Betros meets the
wacky pair.
497: Nobel mind
At 79, former US President Jimmy Carter is a busy man championing human
rights, world peace and public health, as Carlo Niederberger observes.
496: Broad strokes
Live performances and self-promotion are all part of being a painter in
today's world, artist Ponzi tells Krista Wilson.
495: Action figure
Angelina Jolie is busy these days, kicking butt as Lara Croft and standing
up for refugee children around the world as a UN representative. Chris Betros
hears more.
494: Show and tell
Yuka Nukina brings the world to Japan on NHK's Weekend Japanology program.
Chris Betros tunes in.
493: Pasona non grata
Business maverick Yasuyuki Nambu's vision of a radically new Japanese society
doesn't endear him to bureaucrats, but Chris Betros is impressed.
492: Rain man
Author Barry Eisler takes to the mean streets of Tokyo with his second book
featuring Japanese-American assassin John Rain. Chris Betros digs deeper.
491: Golden boy
Kosuke Kitajima is the latest athlete to captivate Japan after smashing
two world records at the world swimming championships. Fred Varcoe hears about
his new life.
490: Murder, she wrote
Award-winning mystery author Natsuo Kirino proves herself a master of the
macabre in Out, her first novel to be translated into English. Chris Betros
reads between the lines.
489: Life or death
Acclaimed British director Alan Parker's latest film delves into the moral
debate surrounding the death penalty. Chris Betros listens in.
488: Work of art
Salma Hayek spent eight years bringing her passion for Mexican artist Frida
Kahlo to the big screen. Chris Betros hears the story.
487: A charmed life
Actress Uno Kanda's ultimate goal is to end up being a cute grandma. Chris
Betros asks how she intends to do it.
486: He's back
The Terminator returns after a 12-year hiatus as its star Arnold Schwarzenegger
ponders a career shift. Chris Betros reports.
485: Prime time
Thirty-something Tomoko Ogawa has found fame and career fulfillment behind
the TBS news desk. Chris Betros pays the anchorwoman a visit.
484: Screen test
Project Greenlight gives aspiring film directors a million bucks and a chance
to be the next Martin Scorsese. Chris Betros meets its first winner, Pete Jones.
483: Angel eyes
Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore thrill the faithful during their
visit to promote Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. Chris Betros joined the masses.
482: No holds barred
Top female pro wrestler Chigusa Nagayo has a growing legion of fans. Sachie
Kanda finds out why.
481: Top of the hill
While heading up designer Terence Conran's Roppongi Hills projects, architect
Richard Doone took time to get lost in Tokyo. Steve Trautlein reports.
480: Inside the Matrix
Six months of Matrix fever begins this weekend with The Matrix Reloaded.
Chris Betros hears what the stars have to say about it.
479: Universal themes
The Miss Universe final is just the beginning for Miyako Miyazaki, who wants
the world to see the beauty of Japanese culture. Chris Betros hears more.
478: On the ball
Japan’s national soccer head coach, Zico, has big plans for the team. Fred
Varcoe finds out what’s on his mind.
477: That's a rap
Director Curtis Hanson gets a surprisingly good performance out of controversial
hip-hop superstar Eminem in 8 Mile. Chris Betros finds out how he did it.
476: Say the magic word
Popular magician Dave Letendre has a trick for every occasion, Chris Betros
observes.
475: Bully boy
Bad boy Brad Renfro takes on another tormented youth role in Larry Clark’s
no-holds barred drama Bully. Chris Betros tries to figure him out.
474: Inventive mind
From the weird to the wonderful, Dr NakaMats has an invention for every
occasion. Chris Betros meets the genius.
473: The king of rock ‘n’ role
Montreal entertainer Martin Fontaine brings The Elvis Story to Japan this
month. Sachie Kanda meets the star of the high-energy musical.
472: Inside out
Akiko Shimizu is on a mission: to give Japanese women the skills to make
the right choices in their lives. Chris Betros gets a few tips, too.
471: Dramatic intrigue
International star of stage and screen Mozaffar Shafeie gives Stephen Cotterill
the lowdown on Tokyo’s theater scene.
470: Guru of gore
Bizarre movie director David Cronenberg is the most normal person he knows.
You wouldn’t think so from his films, though, Chris Betros observes.
469: Female bonding
Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike leave 007 shaken and stirred in Lee Tamahori’s
Die Another Day. Chris Betros hears more.
468: Baby boom
Pint-sized BRAT has Japan’s pop culture in his sights. Chris Betros
talks to his creator, British illustrator John Shelley.
467: Good Lord
Actor Viggo Mortensen dismisses comparisons between Lord of the Rings and
the fight against terrorism. Chris Betros lends an ear.
466: Just for thrills
Edward Norton adds Red Dragon to his impressive list of credits. Chris Betros
reports.
465: As a Matt of fact
Matt Damon is happy to take on any role, even a sumo wrestler, if the project
is right.
464: First bass
Producer and bassist Bill Laswell hits the top without even trying, he tells
Tom Bojko.
463: White lies
Aboriginal author Doris Pilkington and filmmaker Phillip Noyce lift the lid
on Australia’s “Stolen Generation.” Chris Betros reports.
462: Pottering about
Daniel Radcliffe is enjoying life in the spotlight as Harry Potter works his
magic at the box office. Chris Betros reports.
461: In Gere
Richard Gere speaks about getting old, being cool, infidelity and being an activist.
Chris Betros takes it all in.
460: Freedom of the press
Maverick newspaper publisher Kiyoharu Nakayama is taking on the big boys with
his free newspaper Tokyo Headline. Sachie Kanda reports.
457/458: A farewell to arms
Kathryn Bigelow and Harrison Ford lift the veil on a dramatic Soviet sub disaster
in K-19: The Widowmaker. Chris Betros goes below.
456: Leaders of the pack
It was mass adulation as Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese brought Gangs
of New York to Japan for the world premiere
454: Future tense
Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise warn about tomorrow's grim possibilities in
their mystery Minority Report
453: Keeping the Faith
Family is the driving force in country singer Faith Hill's life whether she's
making CDs or soundtracks
451: Watts the matter
Success has been a long time coming for The Ring star Naomi Watts, but it's
all part of a learning experience
450: Class action
Batman and 007 are out, Triple X is in, celluloid superhero Vin Diesel says
449: On the rise
A newly restructured Tower Records is setting the pace in Japan's retail music
industry
448: Tomorrow the universe
Justine Pasek knows being Miss Universe will be tough, but having faith and
a sense of humor can go a long way
447: Cyber sisterhood
Entrepreneur Kaori Sasaki is spreading the message online that Japan's male-dominated
corporate world is under threat from an army of capable women
446: Hot rod heart
The Japan Grand Prix is somewhat of a homecoming for 2001 British Formula 3
Champion Takuma Sato
445: Raking it in
Hugh Grant is in peak form, basically playing himself as the stylish layabout
in About a Boy
444: Funny business
Japan is a joke to comedian Simon Bligh, who returns to perform with the Punchline
Comedy Club
443: Cartoon Channel
An expert editor and diehard manga fan, Coamix head honcho Nobuhiko Horie
is going global with his Raijin Comics series
442: Killa' Milla
Milla Jovovich squeezes in a chat with Nicholas Coldicott about tough schedules,
superficiality and flesh-eating zombies
441: The show must go on
Japanese entertainers help to bring Broadway back to life with a charity gala
concert.
440: Hip hop pop
Japan's original turntablist tells Dan Grunebaum how music saved his life
439: The long road home
After tasting Hollywood success, Y Tu Mama Tambien director Alfonso Cuaron fled
LA for his native Mexico's "holy ground."
438: In the spirit
New Age music virtuoso Kitaro takes to the stage for his Silk Road tour
437: The Tomei express
Marisa Tomei's career is in full flight, Chris Betros observes, as the perky
actress alternates between the theater and cinema, her latest effort being In
the Bedroom
436: Wells spoken
More than 100 years after HG Wells wrote "The Time Machine," his great-grandson
Simon directs the latest movie version
435: Stepping lively
Reva Rice and Kenya Osumi promise plenty of eroticism in the newest version
of the hit Broadway musical Fosse
434: Full plate
Tokyo architect Benjamin Warner is about to add another successful design to
his portfolio with a chain of delicatessens
433: Brunch break
TV personality Tamao Sato's goal in life is to make people happy
432: Heart beat
Justin Gardiner speaks with the versatile percussionist who took center stage
at the World Cup closing ceremony
431: Hard to heart
Former sumo wrestler Konishiki is in great demand these days, but his heart
lies in his many charitable endeavors
430: Calling the tunes
Shocking peers, maverick sensei Makoto Nishimura invites foreigners into the
cloistered world of the shamisen
429: What women want
Fantasy film Kate & Leopold's Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman debate the art of
seduction
428: The write stuff
Shodo meets suspense in Todd Shimoda's new novel, "The Fourth Treasure."
427: Will and testament
Will Smith takes on his biggest challenge yet in Michael Mann's biopic Ali
426: Foster care
Now a mother of two, Jodie Foster re-emerges in Panic Room, which deals with
the issue closest to her heart—family
425: Pop rocks
Britney Spears is big business, but the 20-year-old pop singer sees it all as
just good fun
424: No shortcuts for Morgan Freeman
Fame was a long time coming for Morgan Freeman, who gives thanks to providence
and friends
423: Universal values
Mina Chiba is equally at home on the stage as Miss Universe Japan as she is
on a car racing circuit
422: Tsuzuki style
Kyoichi Tsuzuki, writer, editor and maverick designer, is Japan's great
chronicler of the strange and exotic
421: Arnie, get your gun
Action star Arnold Schwarzenegger explains why the Sept 11 terror attacks
won't change a thing in Hollywood
420: Plenty to Crowe about
Despite missing out on the Oscar for A Beautiful Mind, Russell Crowe is still
very much in the spotlight
419: Piano man
George Winston has made a career playing instrumental music inspired by the
American West
418: War plane
Heroes often emerge out of the blood and guts of chaos, say filmmaker Ridley
Scott and his crew of Black Hawk Down
416: The sexplorers
Killing Me Softly director Chen Kiage and star Heather Graham talk titillation
415: Don't call us retro
Stereolab take tunes back to the future
414: Running "Rings" around the
rest
The cast and crew of Lord of the Rings talk Oscar and samurai elves
412: Lynch pin
Composer Angelo Badalamenti on Mulholland Drive and working with its famed director
411: Duality
Architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham on the beauty of building in Tokyo
410: American Woman
Natalie Merchant on her life and music
409: There's nothing like a dame
Veterans Julie Andrews and Gary Marshall team up for the Princess Diaries
408: Caiya Kawasaki
has built her image on berating Japanese men, but it's all for a reason
407: The Skys the Limit
Vanilla Sky's Cruise, Cruz & Crowe on casual sex
406: The
art of elegance
Veteran designer Takeo Nishida
404: Don't
judge an ogre by its cover
Shrek producer Jeffrey Katzenberg
402: Teen
angst
Crime and Punishment in suburbia director Rob Schmidt
401: Life's a party
Alan Cumming
400: In the Nic of time
Nicole Kidman high-kicks in Moulin Rouge
399:Memories
Memento's director Christopher Nolan
398:Positivity
American alt rockers 311 take a special interest in Japan
397:Evolution of an ex-Filer
David Duchovny explains why he went from the X-Files to Evolution
396: Rock Warrior
Former Clash frontman Joe Strummer
395: 2001's absurd odyssey
The Coen brothers pay tribute to classic American cinema
394: Jolie
good time
Angelina Jolie kicks plenty of butt in Tomb Raider
393: Keeping
up with the Jones
392: Ratner
a man in a rush
Director Brett Ratner can't wait to film Rush Hour 3 in Tokyo
391: Far
from the Madden crowd
Captain Corelli's Mandolin is more than a World War II love story ...
390: Wake-up
call
NHK morning news anchor Toko Takeuchi is an early bird with a passion ...
389: Gallo's
humor
Artist, filmmaker, actor, model, Vincent Gallo
388: Reaching
for the universe
Misao Arauchi
387: Speak
softly and carry a big kick
Actor Steven Seagal
386: Paper
boy
Italian mime Ennio Marchetto
385: A sight
for saur eyes
Jurassic Park III's Sam Neill
384: The
planet that went ape
Visionary filmmaker Tim Burton
383: Digital
Godfather
The father of ambient music, Brian Eno
382: Mission
possible
TV personality Mari Christine
381: Bombs
away
Long-awaited Pearl Harbor comes to Japan
380: Not
so close encounter
Director Steven Spielberg
379: Sexy
poets
Samantha Lang, director of The Monkey's Mask
378: Hogan's
hero
Crocodile Dundee - Paul Hogan
377: Sumo
do
British actress Charlotte Brittain
376: Mummy
dearest
The Mummy Returns' Brendan Fraser
375: Animal
magic
Independent movie auteur, Michael Di Jiacomo
374: Brief
encounters
American Short Shorts Film Festival organizer, Tetsuya Besho
373: Porn
free
Doug Wright, screenwriter of Quills
372: Virgin
for life
Sir Richard Branson, founder and chairman of the Virgin Group
371: Don't
call me babe
Bombshell Charlize Theron
370: Killer
personality
American Psycho's Christian Bale
369: Sweet
inspiration
French actress Juliette Binoche
368: Playing
chicken
Nick Park and Peter Lord, the creators of Chicken Run
367: The
bite stuff
"Tony" Hopkins in a PR stupor
366: Get
focked
Meet the Parents' Ben Stiller
365: Age
of Innocence
"Auteur" filmmaker Paul Cox
364: As the
Crowe flies
Meg Ryan promotes her new movie
363: The
hard cell
The down-low on J. Lo
362: Boy
in the hood
Actor Masaya Kato
361: Bouncing
back
Hollywood's queen of cool, Gwyneth Paltrow
359: Play
that funky music
Catch up with Verbal from Japan's hip-hop group m-flo
358: A heartbreak
hotel
Hotel Splendide director Terence Gross
357: Billy
Elliot
Star Jamie Bell
354: In a
tranquil mood
New age musician, Kitaro
351: Bah
Humbug
Jim Carrey as The Grinch
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