Kitaro: Divine Rhythm for the Soul
Renowned for the soul-stirring qualities of his music, Kitaro channels divine rhythm through celestial-like melodies, guiding the world toward spiritual elevation and the perpetual quest for enlightenment.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★★
Renowned for blending electronic and acoustic sounds, Kitaro stands as a leading figure in New Age music. Image from the internet.
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — I still recall the moments from my childhood, sitting in the front car seat while my mom was driving, with soothing music playing in the background.
That tranquil and peaceful melody conjured scenes of nature — waterfalls at the end of a deep forest venture, wind in the air, grass in open fields, and the sun and clouds overhead. Knowing nothing about music then, I still felt its magical quality, provoking imagery that touched the deepest parts of our souls, as if urging us to reconnect with Mother Earth and the core of our being.
It was a time when compact discs (CDs) were mainstream. When I had the chance to look at the album cover, I discovered it was by a musician named Kitaro. I didn't know who he was, but I remembered his name because my mom spoke highly of his music, saying how it calmed her mind and heart, often stirred by the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
I had long forgotten the musician’s name until my mom told me about Kitaro’s upcoming tour to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Wanting her to witness one of her favourite musicians perform live, I booked a trip down south, hoping this experience would allow her to feel the power of music and vibrations in person.
Before I knew it, I was already seated in the auditorium of Kaohsiung Music Centre, awaiting the arrival of this musician whose work I had encountered three decades ago but had since forgotten. I intentionally refrained myself from doing any research before the concert so that I could fully immerse myself in his music with all my senses and intuition.
The concert kicked off with a spotlight on Kitaro, standing at the front of the stage, playing his flute while other musicians recreated various sounds of nature with their instruments, thereby emphasising Kitaro as a leading figure in the genre of New Age music.
During this opening segment, I could almost feel the freshness and dampness of the rainforest, and the dry wind rustling through the leaves. These vivid images reminded me of Pocahontas, especially its theme song “Colors of the Wind,” where one feels liberated to explore the wonders of the world. That same sense of freedom resonates deeply in Kitaro’s music.
Then, the musician returned to his keyboards, launching with his band into the iconic track “Silk Road,” one of Kitaro’s best-known works composed for NHK's documentary series of the same name. Mellow melodies flowed into the auditorium like fine silk, enveloping us in an auditory odyssey.
On the screen, images of camel caravans trekking through the desert, turquoise-colored brick architecture marking the Central Asian landscape, and grand palaces in China filled our minds with vivid scenes of a journey along the ancient route that once connected the Far East and the West. Curiously, this route that once facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas across cultures now conjures our deepest longing for a connection with our souls.
Throughout the concert, I couldn’t help but notice the traces of musical influences from other cultures in Kitaro’s music, particularly traditional Indian music. It was only after some research that I discovered Kitaro has long been a wanderer across cultures, seeking inspiration for his compositions. He has integrated instruments like the Indian sitar, the Japanese biwa and shakuhachi, and the Spanish quito and bells into his work, adding warmth and vitality to what might otherwise be considered cold electronic music.
Contemporary dancer Yurika Shibano performs at Kitaro’s concert at the Kaohsiung Music Centre in 2024. Image courtesy of Koha.
A good portion of the compositions revolved around the cosmos, reflecting Kitaro’s fascination with exploring the unknown universe. It began with “Sozo,” the Japanese word for “creation,” where galaxies, stars, and planets were born following the Big Bang.
“Koi” recounts a heavenly love tale from Kojiki, an early Japanese chronicle of myths and legends. Its sweet and somewhat melancholic theme unveils the musician’s love for the cosmos — a never-ending fountain of inspiration.
In one of these cosmos-inspired compositions (I lost track of the title as I was so immersed in the music), I felt as if each repetition of the main theme pulled me further and further away from Earth and into the galaxy. Each time the theme was repeated, it was one note higher, as if my soul was being raised to a higher vibration. Floating in space, I felt myself becoming energy, merging with the infinite expansion of the universe that was once around me but had, in that moment, also become a part of me. It felt transcendental.
“Each time the theme was repeated, it was one note higher, as if my soul was being raised to a higher vibration.”
As part of the encore, Kitaro delivered a heartfelt rendition of his friend John Lennon’s “Imagine,” playing the piano and singing. Image courtesy of Koha
Midway through the concert, I told my mom that Kitaro’s music feels like it comes from a higher Source rather than from him personally. She looked at me skeptically.
The next day, she asked if I had read an interview where Kitaro said he never had formal music training and believes his inspiration comes from heaven, with the music merely passing through his body and fingers. I replied “No,” not surprised by what I heard. “These songs are written by me, but not created by me,” Kitaro humbly stated in the interview.
In fact, this resonated deeply with how I experienced his compositions. Unlike many other compositions, Kitaro’s music feels so pure that there’s little trace of human effort in it. In my view, Kitaro’s compositions carry a message; it’s not farfetched to say that the musician acts like a Messenger between heaven and earth.
Listening to Kitaro also feels like practicing yoga, guiding us towards spiritual growth and enlightenment. In this sense, one could consider Kitaro a modern yogi, with celestial melodies flowing through him as if it were his form of spiritual practice.
Kitaro collaborated with the Taiwan Taiko Association for the encore performance. Image courtesy of Koha.
After a 17-year hiatus, Kitaro visited Taiwan, marking the final stop of The Best of Kitaro world tour following visits to Singapore and Malaysia.
“For many years, I have strived to create a memorable and spiritually enriching live concert experience with breathtaking visuals. This time, I aim to delve deeper into my past and include music in this tour that I have not performed anywhere before,” stated the musician.
During his concert in Taiwan, Kitaro performed the well-known Taiwanese song “Jiou Gan Tang Mai Bo.” The audience erupted with enthusiastic cheers as soon as the prelude began. Kitaro even sang two lines of the song, showcasing his dedication to his fans in Taiwan and ongoing exploration of music from different cultures.
For the encore, Kitaro collaborated with the Taiwan Taiko Association, again illustrating how music bridges cultures. He delivered a heartfelt rendition of his friend John Lennon’s “Imagine,” which resonated deeply with the audience as Kitaro not only played the piano but also sang.
“I have never accompanied myself on piano while singing before. My compositions have always been purely instrumental. After experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic and losing many musician friends, I chose this song to honour them. I especially selected John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ in the hopes that you can feel the emotions I want to convey,” said Kitaro.
Acknowledging his age, Kitaro humorously referred to himself as “old age, not new age.” Despite being a prominent figure in New Age music, a genre that peaked in the 1980s, Kitaro’s music remains timeless. I would even argue that now, more than ever, the world needs music like his.
In an era marked by a growing interest in spirituality, particularly during a time when the world is undergoing the great shift towards higher dimensions, Kitaro’s music serves a profound purpose: it cleanses our souls, heals our wounds, and reminds us to look inward, so that we may finally realise that the divine is within us.
“Kitaro’s music cleanses our souls, heals our wounds, and reminds us to look inward, so that we may finally realise that the divine is within us.”
Kitaro performed at the Kaohsiung Music Centre in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on June 30, 2024, as part of his The Best of Kitaro world tour.