A Rainy Day in Epcot's Japan Pavilion

Soundscapes by Here With the Magic

Soundscapes: Epcot's Japan Pavilion

Follow along with the show notes below!

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[01:42] Ohayou, Konnichiwa, Konbanwa! Welcome to the zen retreat of the Far East, the heartland of spiritual enlightenment. Here, each gentle breeze whispers through the trees with the wisdom of generations long passed on; their harmony with nature a testimonial to their reverence for all the joy that can be found by simply being still, by being Here.

[02:03] Through the seasons, Japan is alive with Magic and wonder. The sakura blossoms of springtime give way to hot and restless summertime rains here at EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion. Steam rises in soft, undulating waves, filling the air with a muggy fog that conceals us in our sanctuary. We are among thousands, yet in this place and for this moment, we experience a solitude that calms our very souls.

[02:24] We are greeted by the wagakki - the traditional folk instruments that create the entrancing music we in the western world do not often experience. The glide of the Samisen, a fretless Japanese lute, is accompanied by reverberating drums and the captivating Koto, a kind of harp.

[03:31] A Shinto Torii gate represents our spiritual passage from the chaos beyond and into a realm of tranquility and connection. Though we still may hear the rumblings of far-off revelry, the percussions join forces with an isolated flute to enrobe us in the fullness of this space. We are lulled by the legato of a Shakuhachi, a lilting Japanese bamboo flute. Formed in a unique shape and bearing a small piece of ivory or bone on its edge, the Shakuhachi is a derision of an 8th century Chinese instrument, trilling with a quintessentially eastern sound and pulling all who hear it into a deep reverie.

[05:10] Let’s wander in, past the towering pagoda - its perfect symmetry and mesmerizing layers a beacon of tradition and opulence. A staggering replica of the 7th century constructed Horyuji Temple, this 85-foot temple represents the five elements from which Buddhism teaches all is borne: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Sky.

[05:44] This pavilion, more so than the others found around World Showcase, has an open courtyard flanked by lanterns and the earliest representations of Japanese architecture on either side. There is so much space to take in the majesty of our surroundings that we almost forget how much more lies within the depths of this place. Nevertheless, the rush of a distant waterfall promises restoration, and so we journey onward, forward, inward.

[06:02] Footbridges of pale bamboo cross over streams and into the lush Eden of bonsai, camellias and violet. Symbols of the seasons, both of life and of nature, these bridges mark both our departure and our arrival, our leaving behind the comfort of what we knew and opening our minds to new discoveries, new epiphanies, new hope. Our seemingly endless foray leads us to a retreat of cascading waterfalls, the pools below a living canvas of delicate water lilies and graceful koi fish.

Japanese maples, sturdy bamboo, and charming monkey puzzle trees offer a shady reverie as the sunshine peeking through dapples the pond where the koi swim freely with dazzling light - Komorebi.

[06:40] A word untranslatable into the English language, Komorebi, like so many Japanese words, worships nature with its imagery and reverence. It refers to the balance of light and shadow sunlight creates as it wends its way through forests and trees, always finding a way to shed some of its glory on the world below. Today, we see it dance on the water, illuminating the colors of the koi fish and giving life to the water lilies perched on their pads. A balance of light and shadow, joy and serenity, revelry and reflection.

[07:57] The symphony surrounding us shifts as an energetic rhythm calls extracts us from our zen reverie in the garden. The melody of sunlight dancing through the garden is too overtaken by the sudden appearance of low, gray clouds, which have almost imperceptibly overtaken the sunshine. Let us go and wander in the wake of temples and engawas...there is still much to discover Here.

[12:04] In the distance, the sound of Taiko drummers extracts us from the throes of our contemplation. Synchronous and powerful, the percussionists pay tribute to the ancient traditions of their people. The echoes of Taiko drums can be heard across the centuries, on battlefields and at memorials, during festivals and spiritual ceremonies. Their thunder has been seemingly timed to announce the arrival of a summer storm. But, for now, the drummers call our attention to their rhythm, their story, the immense physical feat of their craft. We are enthralled, overtaken, brought into a narrative that holds neither nostalgia nor comprehension for us. Still, we are Here, listening intently, and for a moment, we understand.

[14:55] The Matsuriza conclude with a flourish of applause from onlookers and a grateful “arigato.” The heavens seem to take this as their cue to begin their own performance, staccato raindrops painting their pattering on stone rooftops, bonsai trees, and our trusty umbrella.

[16:30] Washing the garden in a refreshing, steady rain, yet another element has joined our quiet moment in the garden: water. Life-giving and purposeful, the rain seems unlikely to cease anytime soon, and so we surrender to nature’s higher power, just as the temple beyond yields in reverence to the sky.

[17:34] Each note of this symphony is deliberate, a melancholy and contemplative veneration of nature in which we can find true and abiding peace.

[20:08] There is no disturbance but for the rain caressing each branch, leaf, and rock. A perfect lullaby in the middle of a concert, a zen escape amidst the chaos of the day.

[29:10] Welcome to the Land of the Rising Sun, the place where daybreak brings renewed hope and purpose, the dawning of each new day a sign of unwavering resilience. From the rising of the sun to its setting, we hope you’ll find tranquility in the joyful reverie that is this the essence of this moment.

Be Here. Arigatou gozaimasu.