Critical examination of the complex instrumental works written during this period for the new generation of "contemporary soloists" reveals the level of his high-profile engagement with the Western avant-garde, in works such as "Voice" for solo flute (1971), "Waves" for clarinet, horn, two trombones and bass drum (1976), "Quatrain" for clarinet, violin, cello, piano and orchestra (1977). Experiments and works that incorporated traditional Japanese musical ideas and language continued to appear in his output, and an increased interest in the traditional Japanese garden began to reflect itself in works such as "" for "gagaku" orchestra (1973), and "A Flock Descends into the Pentagonal Garden" for orchestra (1977).