Traditional Japanese aesthetics in contemporary ambient music

Traditional aesthetic categories of Japanese culture are very unique and subtle. They are less about decoration, and more about perception. Beauty here is often found in something simple and unobvious, in imperfection and naturalness. These principles are rooted in centuries of art, poetry, and Zen philosophy, and resonate profoundly in ambient music.

less about decoration, more about perception.

Based on the concepts like wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection), ma (negative space), and shibui (subtle elegance), Japanese ambient music offers a sonic experience that mirrors traditional art forms: ink painting sumi-e, stone gardens, haiku poetry etc. There is no rush or competition in anything. The beauty of simple things and their melancholic charm (mono no aware) are valuable in themselves and do not require pretentious virtuosity.

Such a principle as ma teaches us that not only tones are important in music, but also empty spaces between them. Often this space can be filled with noises imitating cosmic emptiness or simply give us space for meditation. That is, emptiness is equal to existence, and sometimes even more meaningful.

In the track Honj by Ryuichi Sakamoto the ma principle is clearly shown through the traditional instrument koto; abrupt short notes with wide spaces between them, filled with creeping mystical pads.

Yosuke Goto aka Soloi Sounds often uses traditional Japanese instruments such as taishōgoto, combined with synthesizers, field recordings and toy instruments, also frequently found in tracks by Morimoto Naoki or Dionisaf.

But it is not necessary to use Japanese traditional instruments to embody the principles of ma or wabi-sabi in music. Many modern artists use synthesizers and European instruments, while creating aesthetically Japanese music.

Dionis Afonichev aka Dionisaf and Sebby Kowal often turn to Japanese aesthetics in their tracks without being Japanese themselves, but representing the American ambient scene. For example, in the track Noh from the album Scrapbook, Dionisaf literally samples traditional Japanese vocals and shakuhachi flute from vintage vinyl records. And the tracks Tokyo Stroll, Shibuya Station or Zen Garden by Sebby Kowal embody a meditative contemplative aesthetic inspired by Japan.

Let’s now look at five significant albums of recent years that reflect the principles of Japanese aesthetics.

Pictures by Soloi Sounds (2025) Label: Chitra Records (USA)

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Tokyo-based artist Yosuke Goto captures fleeting moments through field recordings and minimal instrumentation. The album feels like a series of framed landscapes, deeply contemplative, filled with calm impressions of simple everyday life.

Hibi by Morimoto Naoki (2020)

Label: Seil Records (Germany)

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The title of the album translates to “daily,” and this album celebrates the quiet poetry of everyday life. This is calm and unobtrusive music that is in no hurry and does not try to evoke emotion; it simply creates coziness, like a fire in a fireplace or a light spring rain outside the window.

Shibui by Dionisaf (2024)

Label: Chitra Records (USA)

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Each track on this album is associated with a particular Japanese aesthetic category or cultural phenomenon. Shibui is a restrained elegance, unobtrusive beauty that expresses original imperfection and intelligent restraint that deepens over time.

Sora by Tokyo Bedroom Orchestra (2023)

Label: Sunset Park Studio (Japan)

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Sora, meaning “sky,” is a playful yet profound exploration of atmospheric sound. Hiro Nakamura (aka TyBO) uses cassette tapes, kalimba, guitar, violin, and a lot of field recordings to craft textured pieces that evoke different aspects and manifestations of the sky, from fog to hail.

Harmonies of Flowers by Shuta Yasukochi (2024)

Label: Self Released (Japan)

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Yasukochi's compositions resemble petals floating in the wind - delicate and ephemeral. Here are implemented transience and imperfection, harmonious simplicity and picturesqueness. This EP unfolds like a quiet walk through a garden, where every sound is a whisper of nature's grace.

Text by V. Ash Who is your favorite Japanese ambient artist?