Jazz kissaten are typically charming, smaller shops, traditionally furnished and paneled in beautiful wood, which serve superb artisan coffee in artful ceramic cups.
Such respect for artistry, craftsmanship, and attention to detail-the Japanese word is shokunin-is reflected in many aspects of Japanese life. This is where you find double handrails to accommodate people of different heights, intricate, ornately designed manhole covers, and bento lunch boxes with hand-carved vegetable figurines. While upholding strict conformity to societal norms, the Japanese highly value creative individualism. This shokunin mindset underlies their reverence for artisanal expression and their love for jazz.
Japanese audio, much like jazz kissaten, reflects the shokunin mindset: craftsmanship pursued with both pride and humility. Consequently, tube amplifiers from established Japanese brands-AirTight, Kondo, Leben, Luxman, Shindo, Yamamoto-have been held in high esteem for decades. Manufacturers less well-known in the West-Audio Tekne, Spec, Triode Labs, and Takatsuki/Alex Sound-are just as well-respected. Japanese cartridges, too-from brands such as Audio Technica, Denon, Hana/Etsuro Urushi, Ikeda Labs, Koetsu, Miyabi Labs, Nagaoka, Shelter Audio, and Sumiko-are widely revered.
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Stereophile.
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This story is from the July 2023 edition of Stereophile.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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