Sonic Cartographies explores the concept of soundmarks, as defined by R. Murray Schafer—unique sounds that capture the essence and identity of a place.

Building on field recording methods, this documentary series seeks to collect soundscapes in various situations where time and space are revealed in Japanese society and culture. Beyond mere sound exploration, these recordings also serve as a documentary and historical record, preserving soundmarks that reflect the identity and transformations of a place.

This is an immersive and investigative listening journey, inviting the audience to explore the rich layers of sound that define this unique context.

Autumn in Tokyo at the Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine. I managed to get two audio recordings in different parts of the temple. The first was recorded at the offertory area, which is called the "saisen-bako". This is where people follow the traditional "sando" ritual, which involves tossing coins, clapping their hands, and offering prayers. The second was recorded at the entrance to the temple, under the "torii" gate, which marks the end of the stone path that winds through the forest and leads into the temple courtyard.

In post-production, I blended the two recordings to create a soundscape that intertwines the two moments. I aimed to evoke a sense of timelessness and spatial duality, as if you were in both places at once within the shared context of the shrine.

Field recording equipment: Zoom H3-VR - Edited and mixed using Ableton Live 12.

You can support the project by purchasing the track at: On_Collector Bandcamp