Album Release Date : August 15, 2025 Buy now at the Domo store Listen at Spotify Listen at Apple Music Listen at Amazon
KYOUMEI – Harmonic Life by Hiroki Okano is a spiritually evocative and cinematic album that dissolves cultural and musical boundaries. Fusing sweeping orchestral arrangements with ancient Japanese instruments—most notably the rare Sanukite stone—and featuring vocals from Japan and Taiwan, the album unfolds as a heartfelt prayer for healing and harmony.
Rooted in the sacred landscapes of Sanuki, Japan, and created through global collaboration during a time of isolation, KYOUMEI offers a deeply personal yet universally resonant listening experience.
“I’ve followed Hiroki Okano’s music for decades and have always admired how his deep connection to nature and spirit translates into timeless, evocative soundscapes. With Kyoumei, the expands his musical palette, blending lush orchestral textures with the resonant tones of the Japanese Sanukite. The result is a profoundly spiritual and meditative journey—perfectly fitting for the ambient music legend he has become.” – Ron Korb, 2-time Grammy Nominee and Global Music Award “Best of Show” winner
“It is magnificent, Hiroki! The vocal choirs are sweeping and the ambitious compositions are supported by exquisite musicianship. My personal favorite track is ‘KYOUMEI – Harmonic Life’ — it is so life-affirming! Thank you for sharing this masterpiece with me. I will keep listening to it for a long time, I have no doubt.” – Madi Das, Grammy-Nominated Kirtan Artist / Producer / Musician
“This is the most beautiful, floating resonant album, excellent for meditation and reaching a sense of inner calm.” – Kitaro, Grammy Award and Golden Globe Award winner | T R A C K S | 01. Dear One’s Heart (Version 2 : Furusato) 02. Into The Mystic Forest 03. Rimpa Miyabi (Version 2) 04. Awakening Seeds – Ikujusai I 05. Winds Of Vitality – Ikujusai II 06. Transcending Ego 07. Eternal Gratitude – Ikujusai III 08. Kyoumei – Harmonic Life 09. Blissful Shine
| C R E D I T S | Arranged, Composed, Performed, Mixed and Produced by Hiroki Okano Mastered by Daichi Yuhara Executive Producer : Eiichi Naito Artists + Repertoire : Dino Malito Calligraphy by Michiko Okano Art Direction by Takehiro Miura Cover Photo by Hiroyuki Nakano Production Manager : Junko Okano
Album Release Date : August 8, 2025 Buy now at the Domo store Listen at Spotify Listen at Apple Music Listen at Amazon
“Classics For The Heart – Love” by Steve Anderson is a beautifully curated collection of piano arrangements that brings to life the emotional depth of masterpieces by composers such as J.S. Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Chopin and Tchaikovksy. Each track invites listeners into a world of warmth and nostalgia, creating vivid emotional landscapes through rich, evocative tonalities.
The album captures the essence of romance and passion with its poetic movements, making it more than just a listening experience—it’s a journey into profound emotional exploration. Perfect for moments of reflection or relaxation, this collection serves as a soothing companion for anyone seeking beauty and introspection in music.
| T R A C K S | 01 The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude No. 1 in C Major, BWV 846 02. Minuet And Dance Of The Blessed Spirits 03. Xerxes, HWV 40: Act 1, Largo “Ombra Mai Fu” 04. Piano Sonatina in G Major, Anh. 5: No. 1, Moderato 05. Les Érinnyes, Op. 10: No. 5, Mélodie-Elégie 06 A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 61: VII. Notturno 07. Consolations, S. 172: No. 3 in D-Flat Major, Lento Placido 08. Nocturnes, Op. 9: No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Andante 09. Adagio in G Minor 10. Bagatelle No. 25 in A Minor, WoO 59: “Für Elise” 11. Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach: Minuet in G Major, BWV Anh. 116 12. Children’s Album, Op. 39, TH 141: No. 22, Song Of The Lark 13. Woodland Sketches, Op. 51: No. 1, To A Wild Rose 14. Canon in D Major, P. 37
| C R E D I T S | Executive Producer : Eiichi Naito Artists + Repertoire : Dino Malito Music Consultant : Mitch Rabin Mastering : Gavin Lurssen at Lurrsen Mastering, Burbank, California Marketing + Promotions : Atsuko Mizuta, Tomoko Kakimoto Graphic Design : Kio Griffith
Album Release Date: June 20th, 2025 Buy now at the Domo store Listen at Spotify Listen at Apple Music Listen at Amazon
An Enchanted Evening is a live concert album recorded during Kitaro’s 1995 world tour, featuring powerful renditions of his most iconic works. The album offers an immersive journey through atmospheric and ethereal soundscapes, capturing the essence of Kitaro’s signature style. Widely regarded as a milestone in his career, the tour highlights his extraordinary talent for creating a deep emotional resonance with his audience through music.
Marking the 30th anniversary of this landmark live album release, the Deluxe Edition Remaster of An Enchanted Evening features previously unreleased live recordings including “Caravansary,” “Cosmic Love” and “Winds Of Youth” as well as an exclusive interview with Kitaro.
The album is newly remastered from the original source tapes.
| T R A C K S | 01. Chant From The Heart 02. Spirit Of Taiko 03. Kokoro 04. Caravansary 05. Fire 06. Interlude 07. Mandala 08. Planet 09. Dance Of Sarasvati 10. Silk Road 11. Cosmic Love 12. Winds Of Youth 13. Heaven & Earth 14. Interview with Kitaro
| C R E D I T S | Composed and Arranged by Kitaro Produced by Kitaro and Gary Barlough Mixed by Peter Kelsey Mastered by Gavin Lurssen Executive Producer : Eiichi Naito Artists + Repertoire, Digital Editing Engineer : Dino Malito Graphic Art + Design : Kio Griffith
The Light Of The Spirit by Kitaro was originally released in 1987. It’s known for its tranquil, spiritual, and atmospheric sound, which blends elements of traditional Japanese music with electronic and new age influences. The album is one of Kitaro’s most iconic works, receiving widespread acclaim for its calming, meditative qualities.
The music on The Light of the Spirit takes the listener on a journey, evoking a sense of peace and connection with nature and the universe. Kitaro’s use of synthesizers, flutes, and percussion instruments gives the album a rich, textured sound that feels both ancient and modern. It also reflects themes of spirituality and human experience, with the title itself suggesting a quest for enlightenment and inner peace.
In 1988, “The Field” received a Grammy nomination for Best New Age Performance. It became Kitaro’s first nomination by the Recording Academy and this milestone was widely recognized as a significant contribution to the New Age music genre.
This album was remastered from the original audio recordings.
| T R A C K S | 01. Mysterious Encounter 02. Sundance 03. The Field 04. The Light Of The Spirit 05. In The Beginning 06. Moondance 07. Howling Thunder 08. Journey To A Fantasy
| C R E D I T S | Composed, Arranged and Mixed by Kitaro Produced by Kitaro and Mickey Hart Recorded by Tom Flye Mixed by Kitaro Mastered by Tim Gennert Executive Producer : Eiichi Naito Artists + Repertoire : Dino Malito Graphic Art + Design : Kio Griffith
“Classics for the Heart – Calm” by Steve Anderson is a beautifully curated collection of piano arrangements that brings to life the emotional depth of masterpieces by composers such as Chopin, Beethoven, Ravel, and Debussy. Each track invites listeners into a world of warmth and nostalgia, creating vivid emotional landscapes through rich, evocative tonalities.
The album captures the essence of romance and passion with its poetic movements, making it more than just a listening experience—it’s a journey into profound emotional exploration. Perfect for moments of reflection or relaxation, this collection serves as a soothing companion for anyone seeking beauty and introspection in music.
| T R A C K S | 01. Rêverie, L. 68 02. Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto 03. Deux Arabesques, L. 66: No. 1 in E Major 04. Trois Gymnopédies: No. 3, Lent Et Grave 05. Kinderszenen, Op. 15: No. 7, Träumerei 06. On The Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314 07. The Seasons, Op. 37a: X. October, “Autumn Song” 08. Schwanengesang, S. 560: No. 7, Ständchen 09. Carnival Of The Animals, R. 125: XIII. The Swan 10. The Girl With The Flaxen Hair 11. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 15 in D-Flat Major, “Raindrop” 12. Wiegenlied, Op. 49: No. 4, Lullaby 13. Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte, M. 19 14. España, Op. 165: No. 2, Tango
| C R E D I T S | Executive Producer : Eiichi Naito Artists + Repertoire : Dino Malito Music Consultant : Mitch Rabin Mastering : Gavin Lurssen at Lurrsen Mastering, Burbank, California Marketing + Promotions : Atsuko Mizuta, Tomoko Kakimoto Graphic Design : Kio Griffith
This event commemorates the 1250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), a revered Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Shingon sect of Buddhism. Kobo Daishi is a significant figure in Japanese history, known for bringing back wisdom and cultural practices from the Tang Dynasty to Japan. His teachings and the spiritual practices he established, such as the famous 88-temple pilgrimage in Shikoku, continue to influence Japanese society to this day.
To honor this milestone, a special celebration concert was held featuring performances by Kitaro and Hiroki Okano. The concert took place at Zentsuji, the birthplace of Kobo Daishi, located on the island of Shikoku, Japan
A notable aspect of the celebration was a special calligraphy dedication by Fuyoh Kobayashi, a calligrapher who contributed to the event by offering a unique and spiritually significant piece of calligraphy. The event was not only a musical tribute but also a cultural and spiritual expression of gratitude toward Kobo Daishi for his enduring legacy. The concert captures the essence of the celebration and the deep reverence felt for Daishi’s contributions to Japanese culture and spirituality.
| T R A C K S | 01. Mother Song 02. Starry Night 03. Dreamsphere 04. Jiji 05. The Wind From Heaven 06. Silk Road 07. Caravansary 08. Matsuri 09. Reimei
| C R E D I T S | Kitaro : Synthesizer, Zither, Wadaiko, Wavedrum Hiroki Okano : Native American Flute, Bamboo Flute, Bouzouki, Native American Drum Hiroshi Araki : Guitar Shizuka Kashima : Violin Norimaru : Kotsuzumi
Recorded by Toshiyuki Tokutake, Dino Malito, Shinji Miura Mixed by Kitaro, Hiroki Okano Mastered by Daichi Yuhara
Executive Producer : Eiichi Naito Artists + Repertoire : Dino Malito Graphic Art + Design : Kio Griffith
At an incredible 17 meters tall, the Echizen Daibutsu Giant Buddha at Daishizan Seidai-ji Temple in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture is the tallest seated Buddha statue in Japan. It is the image of Birushana Nyorai, one of the earliest Buddhist deities to arrive in the country in the 6th Century. The Buddha is flanked by four standing Bodhisattva statues which are surrounded by more than a thousand smaller stone statues. Each day, for just one hour after the temple gates are opened and one hour before closing, an artificial sea of clouds is generated, creating an enchanted atmosphere for all visitors.
At this sacred location in November 2023, internationally acclaimed, Grammy and Golden Globe winning keyboardist/composer and new age music icon Kitaro and his ensemble celebrated the 35th anniversary of the temple’s founding. They created an electrifying, soul-stirring performance of some of his most beloved and renowned compositions, several rarely played classics, and a powerfully hypnotic new original titled “Prayer for Mother Earth,” featuring the artist playing the taiko drum. “Taiko drumming has always had a special connection to me,” says Kitaro, a native of Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan. “The sound the Taiko drum created as it reverberated throughout the temple was otherworldly. It seemed the best way to begin the concert.”
For the hundreds of thousands of Kitaro fans worldwide who were unable to attend this special event, the two disc CD/DVD set Zen: Live in Katsuyama, puts listeners and viewers at the heart of the ever-fascinating visual and sonic action. While the physical CD includes 12 tracks, the Deluxe Edition released to streaming outlets includes the additional pieces “Monks Prayer” and “Koi” which are also included on the DVD. In addition to Kitaro’s dynamics filled performance before the Great Buddha statue, the DVD contains stunning footage of the temple and its surrounding grounds, including a five-story pagoda, the tallest in Japan. The package marks his 30th anniversary on Domo Records, a span that began with the release of his Grammy nominated label debut Mandala in 1994.
Echizen Daibutsu Giant Buddha at Daishizan Seidai-ji Temple, Fukui, Japan
Heavily influenced by American rock and R&B, Kitaro’s revolutionary fusion of electronic artistry, traditional Japanese music and song forms and pop-flavored Western styles evolved into a lush, poetic, alternately intimate and expansive sound. In 1984, a year before entering into a worldwide distribution arrangement with Geffen Records, he toured in Asia as the first ever Japanese-born musician who performed in Taiwan and China.
Testament to his ability to transfix his live audiences since launching his recording career in the late 70s with the release of Ten Kai (later re-released on Geffen in the mid-80s as Astral Voyage), Zen: Live in Katsuyama is Kitaro’s ninth live album. It’s an amazing run that began with In Person/In Person Digital (1980) and most recently includes Symphony Live in Istanbul (2014), recorded with a 38-piece symphony orchestra and his five-member band, which earned Kitaro his 17th Grammy nomination for Best New Age album. That concert opened with a 14-minute performance of his Golden Globe winning score from the 1992 Oliver Stone film Heaven & Earth. While still creating an epic sound, he takes a more intimate approach on the new collection.
“I performed the Live at Katsuyama concert with three other musicians,” Kitaro says, “and it was an exciting challenge to find a way to create many of my sounds that a larger ensemble would traditionally do for a performance like this. My band included Shizuka Kashima on violin, Norimaru on percussion and Hiroshi Araki on guitar. I have a long history with Hiroshi Araki, who has performed on my albums Kojiki,The Light Of The Spirit which featured Mickey Hart from the Grateful Dead and Dream, the one I did with Jon Anderson in 1992. I have performed with him live since the early 1980’s. Yurika Shibano was the Butoh dancer that visually interpreted the performance for us.”
Left: Kashima Shizuka, Top Right: Hiroshi Araki, Bottom Right: Norimaru
After the opening pieces “Prayer For Mother Earth” and “Monks Prayer” – which Kitaro explains as “saying a prayer in contemplation and appreciation” – he launches the heart of the program with the solo flute piece “Mercury” (from his 1999 Grammy winning album Thinking of You) and stops along the “Silk Road,” an epic, nearly eight minute journey that has been a foundational element of Kitaro’s ever-evolving artistry for over 40 years. He wrote the score to a groundbreaking 1980 documentary series titled The Silk Road: The Rise and Fall of Civilizations, which revealed how ancient Japan was influenced by the Silk Road trade route; the music was commercially released as Silk Road, Volume 1 and 2. “Silk Road was a song that connected me with many cultures and nations around the world,” Kitaro says. “I will always appreciate the many positive ways this song has connected me to so many people and so many people to each other.”
Following the dreamy, lyrical, violin highlighted “Aqua” (from Kitaro’s third solo album Oasis), he performs the exotic, sweeping, synth-orchestrated “Requiem,” a highlight from the fourth recording in his five-volume Domo Records series Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai, which extends from 2003 thru 2017. It is a series of peace-themed albums inspired by the Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage – the travel of the beloved monk Kukai more than 1100 years ago. Each track contains samples from ancient Japanese temple bells (Peace Bells) from 88 sacred temples on the island of Shikoku, Japan. In conjunction with the Ku-Kai series, Kitaro launched a “Love and Peace World Tour” which found him sharing his goal for world peace everywhere from Greece and Mexico to India, China, Jakarta and Uruguay.
Butoh Dancer Yurika Shibano
Domo Records will soon be releasing another live album entitled Kukai 1250, from a show Kitaro performed with Hiroki Okano at the Zentsuji Temple in Shikoku, Japan. It commemorates the 1250th anniversary of the birth of Kukai in the place of his birth. The recording features songs individually composed by Kitaro and Hiroki, in addition to several collaborations.
The core of the Zen – Live in Katsuyama experience are five pieces from his Grammy nominated #1 Billboard New Age hit album Kojiki, which was released in 1990 and featured the string section from the Skywalker Symphony. These include the mystical “Hajimari,” the intricate, beautifully melodic “Sozo,” the dramatic adventure “Orochi,” the explosive, empowering “Matsuri” and the dreamy, symphonic closer “Reimei.”
“All of these are songs I enjoy performing live,” Kitaro says. “And I enjoy performing the compositions that my fans love to hear and have a special connection with.”
Zen – Live In Katsuyama was recorded in November 2023 at the Daishizan Seidai-ji Temple in Fukui, Japan. The performance by Kitaro and his ensemble commemorated the 35th anniversary of the temple’s founding. The concert features Kitaro’s most acclaimed and well-known compositions as well as rarely played classics.
The most striking feature of the temple, also known as Echizen Daibutsu, is a 17-meter statue of Birushana Nyorai, one of the earliest Buddhist deities to arrive in Japan in the 6th century. The statue is commonly referred to as the Great Buddha of Echizen and is the tallest seated Buddha statue in Japan. The Buddha is flanked by four standing Bodhisattva statues, all of which are surrounded by over a thousand smaller stone statues. The five-storied pagoda that sits adjacent to the temple is also the tallest of its kind in Japan. For years, visitors have enjoyed breathtaking and impressive panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and mountainside from these buildings.
The accompanying DVD contains stunning footage of the temple, its surrounding grounds and Kitaro’s live performance staged in front of the Great Buddha statue.
As Kitaro notes, “For many years, I have always strived to create a memorable and exciting spiritual live concert experience with breathtaking visuals. For this performance, my intention was to delve deeper into my past and include music that I have not performed anywhere previously. I am grateful and appreciative to those in my audiences that have supported me throughout many decades. This performance reflects my heartfelt delight and appreciation of those many years and many enthusiastic audiences.”
| C R E D I T S | KITARO : Taiko Drum, Keyboards, Electric Sitar, Flute HIROSHI ARAKI : Guitar KASHIMA SHIZUKA : Violin NORIMARU : Percussion SHIBANO YURIKA : Butoh Dancer
Produced by Kitaro Directed by Aamuro Kanda Recorded by Dino Malito Mixed by Kitaro Mastered by Gavin Lurssen Executive Producer : Eiichi Naito Artists + Repertoire : Dino Malito Graphic Art + Design : Kio Griffith
Los Angeles, CA (March 28, 2024) – Grammy and Golden Globe award-winning recording artist Kitaro will tour in 2024, beginning on June 23rd at the Arena Of Stars in Malaysia. Other confirmed tour dates will follow in Singapore and Taiwan.
The tour will feature iconic songs and fan favorites known throughout Kitaro’s illustrious career. As a special treat, this tour will feature music from Kitaro’s illustrious career that will be performed live for the first time.
As Kitaro notes, “For many years, I have always strived to create a memorable and exciting spiritual live concert experience with breathtaking visuals. This time I intended to delve deeper into my past and include music in this tour that I have not performed anywhere previously. I am grateful and appreciative to those in my audiences that have supported me throughout many decades. These performances will reflect my heartfelt delight and appreciation of those many years and many enthusiastic audiences.”
THE BEST OF KITARO LIVE IN 2024 TOUR DATES:
June 23 Arena Of Stars, Resorts World Genting, Malaysia
June 25 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
June 26 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
June 28 Sarawak Culture Village, Malaysia
June 30 Kaohsiung Music Center, Taiwan
Posted inKitaro|Taggedlive, new age music|Comments Off on Kitaro to launch “The Best Of Kitaro Live in 2024” International Tour in June
Over the past two and a half decades, Dave Eggar’s earned rock star status in pop music world as first-call cellist and string arranger for superstars like Coldplay, Evanescence, John Legend, Lewis Capaldi and Bebe Rexha and Foreigner. Yet for the multi-talented veteran musician, the piano has always been the ultimate place of solace since his childhood days as a classical prodigy. Even as the four-time Grammy nominee has amassed hundreds of string credits, the piano compositions on his solo albums – from his 1998 debut Serenity to his prodigious latest release Dragonfly – reveal a truer artistry that comes alive in a space where he connects with people more deeply and emotionally.
Co-written and produced, like Eggar’s 2021 album Awakening, by drummer, percussionist and songwriter Chuck Palmer, Dragonfly is a thematically expansive yet musically intimate collection which, true to the title’s mythological implications, finds Eggar exploring the concepts of metamorphosis, self-realization and the insight of clear vision. It’s all with an eye towards helping us meet the great challenges of a post pandemic world, rise above the darkness and discover exciting new possibilities. The symbolism of the Dragonfly – brilliantly embodied by the colorful, intricate cover illustration and artwork – made perfect sense as a reflection of a hopeful embrace of a new era.
| T R A C K S | 01. Prelude 02. The Darkness (For Andrew) 03. Embark 04. Encircled 05. Dragonfly (For Gomeo) 06. Soliloquy 07. Shards Of Light 08. Sorrows Return (For Ronnie) 09. Memories Of NY (featuring Bristol Lightning) 10. Lullaby Of Kingston 11. Coral 12. Road Trip (featuring Bristol Lightning) 13. Onwards
| C R E D I T S | Piano, Cello : Dave Eggar Produced by Chuck Palmer Recorded by Davis Hart, Matt Smile Mixed by Brendan Muldowney, Johnny Nice Executive Producer : Eiichi Naito Artists + Repertoire : Dino Malito Mastering : Gavin Lurssen Graphic Design : Kio Griffith