toco toco — Season 1, Episode 32: Kenji Kawai, Composer

Episode synopsis

Kenji Kawai is a world-renowned music composer who made dozens of soundtrack for movies, anime, TV series or games such as Ghost in the Shell, Avalon, Patlabor, The Ring, Ranma 1/2, and many more. He will introduce us to the Kita-Shinagawa area, where he was born and raised and where he is still living today. First we will visit the Shinagawa Shrine, where he used to play as a child. During the shrine's festival in June, the « mikoshi » (portable shrine) is guided by the sound of a Japanese drum and a flute. It’s quite unusual compared to other festivals in Japan. Kenji Kawai liked the sound of this drums to the point it was his inspiration for the soundtrack of « Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence ». Then, Kenji Kawai takes us to Kita-Shinagawa shopping street. During the Edo period, this street was a part of the Tokaido road, Japan’s most famous central road which was running from Tokyo to Kyoto. This portion was called Shinagawajuku, and it was the first stop for travelers leaving from Tokyo. Kenji Kawai used to walk this street every day to go to school. In the last part, Kenji Kawai take us to his music studio where he spends most of his time composing, recording and mixing music. He’ll tell us about the surprising way he became a composer, his influences, thoughts about composing music. Then, he’ll explain how the famous « Ghost in the Shell » soundtrack which mix drums and Japanese traditional song was born.

About toco toco

toco toco is a program where Japanese artists and creators introduce places in Japan that inspire them. No scripted text or guidance, guests speak naturally and are free to choose any place they like. “toco toco” is the onomatopoeia to describe the sound of footsteps in Japanese, for the walks we go on together with our guests.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Yusuke Shigeta, digital artist
• E2Soryo Matsumura, tea ceremony master
• E3Michihito Fujii, film director
• E4Hima://Kawagoe, illustrator
• E5Wagashi Asobi, Japanese traditional confectioners
• E6Professor Sakamoto, 8-bit musician
• E7Kyoka, electronic musician and artist
• E8Arisa Katayama, Walking Bicycle project leader
• E9Riyoo Kim, ceramic artist
• E10Fuyuki Kanai, illustrator and performer
• E11Ayaka Matsuno, cookie artist
• E12Montblancs, comedy duo