The gods of Yakushima, Japan

Another trip to Japan today, with a field recording from the extraordinary ancient forests of Yakushima, Japan – a World Heritage site.

This was recorded and reimagined by Andy Gillham, who writes: “The field recording features bird calls and nature recorded on a walk deep in the lush subtropical ancient forests of Yakushima.

“These are overlaid with the sound of our car tyres beating a path down a track out of the forest.”

“For the reimagined piece I created shards of electronic modulations to mimic the bird calls but also to convey a sense of the impressive intensity of natural growth and activity in the forest.

“Lore has it that the Japanese believed the gods lived in this forest – something easy to imagine when you are there. I added brooding pads and an otherworldly melody in attempt to convey this.

“I also wanted to convey a feeling of modern electronics juxtaposed with the ancient reality of the forest – similar to the sound of the car against the natural forest sounds and a reminder that whilst modernity has encroached upon and destroyed such habitats, the two can also live in side by side.”

City version:

Memory version: