In this series of albums, songs of various genres are played using Japanese traditional instruments such as wadaiko (drums), shamisen (three-stringed instrument), koto (a long instrument with 13 strings), shinobue (transverse flute), shakuhachi (bamboo flute), and narimono (percussions), which are normally not played in an ensemble. The distinctive world created by the beautiful sounds unique to Japanese instruments is a highly appreciated souvenir from Japan.
The songs are played by AUN J Classic Orchestra, which is comprised of eight renowned artists specialized in each instrument, as well as Team J Classic Orchestra, which is a group of young Japanese instrument players. AUN J Classic Orchestra was formed in 2008 in the hope of conveying the beauty of 1,000-year-old Japanese sounds to the world and carrying on the tradition for the next 1,000 years and beyond. In Japan, in addition to annual performances, the group travels to cultural important sites and world heritage sites around Japan, including temples and shrines. The group has been also appointed a collective tourism ambassador of Yoshino town in Nara Prefecture.
Based on the concept “Music has a nationality beyond borders,” AUN J Classic Orchestra also plays at world heritage sites around the world. Following its first live performance overseas at Mont Saint-Michel in France, the group has performed at various events including the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC and Japan-Russia Summit Meeting in Saint Petersburg. The joint concert with the ethnic instrumental artists from four countries within ASEAN held under the theme “One Asia” in Cambodia was a huge success.
AUN J Classic Orchestra is also engaged in cultivating the next generation of artists through training programs as well as joint concerts and recordings. In addition, it also strives to convey the charm of Japanese instruments to children in Japan through the so-called Sakura Project. The group has visited approximately 350 elementary schools where it played Japanese instruments in front of children and planted cherry trees on the school ground.
Team J Classic Orchestra is comprised of a total of 20 members: AUN J Classic Orchestra, SAMURAI J BAND (a group of four good-looking male artists), NADESHIKO J ENSEMBLE (a group of three female artist who are graduates of Tokyo University of the Arts, one of the most prestigious art schools in Japan), and SAKURA J SOUNDS (a group of five young female artists).