The days of Japan being perceived as home to the worst excesses of idol pop or the most inaccessible traditional music are hopefully over. In truth, Japanese musicians have for years been skillful at blending the traditional with the pop and coming up with some of the world"s craziest concoctions. The Rough Guide To The Music Of Japan encompasses sounds from ancient gagaku to today"s hottest roots acts, mixed with quintessential enka and post-war boogie-woogie - a compilation to blow away any lingering preconceptions. Artists Includes: Chanchiki, Nami Makioka, Oki Dub Ainu Band, Ryukyu Underground, Seijin Noborikawa, Soul Flower Mononoke Summit, Harumi Miyako, Ikoma Hajime, Tadao Sawai, Kunaicho Gagubu, Tendai Shomyo, Kotsuru Tade, Kunimoto Takeharu & The Last Frontier, Shizuko Kasagi, Morio Agata, Shibusashirazu, Takashi Hirayasu, Michiko Suga