12 Comments
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Evan's avatar

Oh, this is beautiful. It's like a sonic love letter to everything I love about field recording. I look (listen?) forward to what comes next!

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Simon James French's avatar

Thank you! Hah, you know, I've never thought about that.. listen forward you shall! There'll be more coming soon. Especially one related to the rainy season which is just about hitting Kyoto ☔️

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Dr Miki from Japan's avatar

I love shimogamo shrine too!

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Simon James French's avatar

Thank you for listening Miki, it's a wonderful place isn't it? I love the whole Demachiyanagi area as well. Such a lovely place to explore and find something new.

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Kjeld Duits's avatar

I lived near Kyoto for three decades before moving to Tokyo in 2011. I find your sound recording at Shimogamo Shrine very relaxing. Especially the hōhokekyo of the uguisu, my absolute favorite Japanese sound.

There is a sound that I am unable to identify. It is first heard at 0:10 and then repeats at 0:28, 0:45, 1:13, and 1:34. Is it a temple bell?

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Simon James French's avatar

Thank you for listening so closely! The uguisu is gorgeous isn't it? I can't get enough of that sound. I always stop to listen when I hear it. I heard a beautiful one along the Philosopher's Path today!

Ah this is one of those bowls that would be struck before praying or burning incense at a shrine. I adore this sound so much, it resonates so deeply..

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Kjeld Duits's avatar

Ah, of course, the bowls! Thanks for explaining. Yes, the resonance is so deep that it seems to enter one's body…

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Giles Lamb's avatar

I love this. As a composer and sound designer. So often we may hear but we don’t listen. Sound transforms ! I work with an animation studio from Scotland and we are seeking Japanese co productions. I’ll email 🙏

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Simon James French's avatar

Hi Giles, just wanted to check in to see if you'd sent an email yet? I didn't want to miss something and you thought I was ignoring lol! 🙏

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Simon James French's avatar

Thank you for finding this Giles. Sound is so powerful, I'm glad to see someone else championing it here on Substack.

I'd love to get involved, please do reach out — I look forward to talking about how I may be able to help out 🙏

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Giles Lamb's avatar

Hi Simon. Sorry I dropped this one. Did you give me your email? Maybe we could have a chat on zoom? I’m

Actually away next week for a few weeks do perhaps end of July? How are you fixed? Cheers Giles

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Simon James French's avatar

Ah sorry I think I didn’t send it over! I’ll send a private message with my address 🙏

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