Career
He headed the Chikumeisha shakuhachi guild and became a world-famous Japanese performer and teacher. In 1967-1968 he was appointed Artist in Residence at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut (United States of America). While at Wesleyan, Nonesuch Explorer Series recorded his "A Bell Ringing In The Empty Sky" LP, an influential first recording of shakuhachi in the United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration included one honkyoku from that LP, "Tsuru Number Sugomori," (Nesting of Cranes) on the Voyager Golden Record which was sent into space.
In 1992, the Japanese government designated Yamaguchi a Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô).
Shakuhachi no Shinzui: Shakuhachi Honkyoku (Soul of Shakuhachi: Shakuhachi Honkyoku). Solo performance of complete Kinko school honkyoku repertoire: 38 compositions on 12 CDs.
Boxed set with 44-page booklet. Japan Victor VZCG-8066-8077.
Shakuhachi no Shinzui: Sankyoku Gassô (Soul of Shakuhachi: Trio Ensemble).
Ensemble performances with voice, koto, and shamisen. Four CDs in boxed set with 44-page booklet. Japan Victor VZCG-8078-8081.
Appreciation by Christopher Yohmei Blasdel
Appreciation by Monty Levenson.
