Joji was a wonderful man and brilliant musician. He was possessed of a sweet nature, gentle demeanour, kind, thoughtful and with a mischievous dry sense of humour and unforgettable laugh!
I first met him on a TV music session in 1980 and he was very popular with the community of players and composers at Logorhythm/Atmosphere in the '80s.
Simply unique with his multi percussion skills - from his barnstorming taiko drumming and myriad percussion instruments - to his beautiful melodic and evocative shakuhachi and assorted ethnic wind playing, notably his exquisite melody on the track "Sad Shacuhachi", which was later released as "SongoKu" on Time & Tide.
In the 90's we collaborated on many wildlife programmes in the Survival series for Anglia TV, the majority filmed by the skilled, brave and intrepid Nick Gordon - living in the "green hell" of the Amazonas region as described by Victorian explorers - where the beauty of the canopy and incredibly diverse animal life was matched by the inhospitality of the climate!
Joji's ocarina, assorted bells, tinkles etc were fundamental in being able to evoke something of this magical, mysterious place. Sadly, Anglia was taken over in 2000, Nick died in 2004 at the tender age of 51 and our collaboration passed to more sporadic library tracks and occasional work such as his thundering taiko on Atmosphere's Warlord and his complusive bodhrán on PP 8.
He toured constantly with his Taiko ensemble - a magnificent musical and visual spectacle - and was often used at special occasions for assorted art groups and even the Japanese Consulate!
We stayed in touch but alas, as so often in life, had less contact latterly. It was however a delight to find and include a number of our previously unheard collaborative pieces on the re-issues of Wildlife and Sail The World.
I owe him a great debt of thanks in respect of the work in the 90s as I couldn't possibly have done it without his invaluable help, input and support.
I was very lucky to have chanced upon him on life's way and it was an honour to have had the twin blessing of collaboration and comradeship.
He passed away very suddenly and my thoughts are with his lovely wife Michi and daughter Kazumi at this most difficult hour.
Anthony Phillips, September 2026