Traditional Japanese music

Theatrical#

Japan has several theatrical forms of drama in which music plays a significant role. The main forms are kabuki and Noh.

Noh#

or music is a type of theatrical music used in Noh theatre. Noh music is played by an instrumental ensemble called . The instruments used are the stick drum, a large hourglass-shaped drum called the , a smaller hourglass-shaped drum called the , and a bamboo flute called the . The ensemble is performed along with , vocal music, in Noh theater.

Kabuki#

is a type of Japanese theatre known for its highly stylized dancing and singing as well as the elaborate make-up worn by the predominately all-male cast. The first instances of kabuki used the from Noh performances. Later, kabuki began incorporating other instruments like the . Kabuki music can be divided into three categories: , , and and .

Traditional Japanese music#

includes music and sound effects played on stage, behind a black bamboo curtain called a . music can be further subdivided into three types. The first type is or song. is sung accompanied by a . Typically there are multiple singers singing together. The second type is called . It involves music without any singing. The third type is . is played by small percussion instruments besides the .

Traditional Japanese music#

encompasses music that is played on the stage and accompanies acting and dancing. includes the , , and music styles. accompanies acting. , and accompany dancing in kabuki. basically recites the parts of the play concerning scenery. The actors attempt to synchronize their lines with the rhythm of —an effect known as (‘get onto strings’). is one of the most commonly seen forms of . It involves singers, called , and players, called . The are seated to the right of the stage dancers, and the are seated on the left of the stage. The use (thin neck) which produce high pitched tones and are capable of producing delicate melodies. consists of reciters called and that use (medium-neck) . is similar to music but is slower-paced and more solemn. is also performed onstage. also consists of and using . However, in words and sentences full of emotion are recited in very high-pitched tones.

and#

and describe the distinctive sounds made by striking two square oak boards. When the two boards are struck together, they produce the sound. When they are struck against a hardwood board, they produce the sound.

Court music ()#

is court music, and is the oldest traditional music in Japan. It was usually patronized by the Imperial Court or the shrines and temples. music includes songs, dances, and a mixture of other Asian music. has two styles; these are instrumental music and vocal music . Since means “elegance”, literally means elegant music and generally refers to musical instruments and music theory imported into Japan from China and Korea from 500 to 600 CE. is divided into two main categories: Old Music and New Music. Old Music refers to music and musical compositions from before the Chinese Tang dynasty (618–906). New Music refers to music and compositions produced during or after Tang, including music brought from various regions of China and Korea. Old and New Music are further divided into the categories (“Music of the Left”) and (“Music of the Right”). Music of the left is composed of (music from Tang) and (music from Indo-China). Music of the right is composed of (music from Korea). *Instrumental Music **—a Chinese form of music **—influenced by Tang dynasty China and Balhae *** *Vocal Music **— song **— song **—entertainment of Eastern Japan **—vocal Japanese court music **—songs based on Chinese poems

Traditional Japanese music#

is a kind of Buddhist chanting of sutra syllabically or melismatically set to melodic phrasing, usually performed by a male chorus. came from India, and it began in Japan in the Nara period. is sung a capella by one or more Buddhist monks. The two characters ( and ) translate literally as “voice” and “clear” respectively. is a translation of the Sanskrit word , which means “the (linguistic) study of language”.

Traditional Japanese music#

is narrative music using the . There are four main styles. These are centuries-old traditions which continue today: *—during the Edo period, began to play in Osaka. This type of is for (puppet theater). *—during the Edo period, Tokiwazu Mojidayu () began to play this style of in Edo. This type of is for kabuki dances called . *— began to play this for kabuki dances in Edo (Tokyo) in 1814 during the late Edo period. He played style at first, before moving from playing this style to the style. This style is light, refreshingly unrestrained, and chic. *—in the middle of the Edo period, began to play this for kabuki. This style of is typically lively and upbeat. There are other four styles which have largely died out. , and are old style. These styles are referred to as or “old music”. also included . It is not but is like . *—during the Edo period, (1684–1725) began to play in an original style in 1717. It is heavy. * or —during the Edo period, or (1650–1724) began to play this style. * or —during the Edo period, began to play this style in Kyoto. is a modest style. *—During the Edo period, (1716–1764) began to play this style. He played the style at first and then changed to play in the style.

Traditional Japanese music#

is a style of music played using the . There are three styles of : one for kabuki dance, one for kabuki plays (dialogue), and one for music unconnected with kabuki. is similar to . (died 1787) began to play this style, having first played in the style. He moved from playing this style to play in the style. His rival was , a singer in Edo. Ogie Royuu I had a beautiful but small voice. In a theater a voice with volume was important, so Ogie Royuu I stopped singing in the theater. Ogie Royuu I began to play in the Yoshiwara (red-light district). declined after 1818. composed new pieces at the end of the Edo period. Yamazaburou was an owner of a parlor house in the red-light district of Yoshiwara. Yamazaburou knew music very well. Tamaya Yamazaburou’s pieces are influenced by music. re-established . Kizaemon changed his name to Ogie Royuu IV in 1876 or 1879. (It is not known if there was an Ogie Royuu II or Ogie Royuu III.) is classified as a style of . ( usually means a musical piece or musical number in modern Japanese.) Now is , , and . is old music from the Edo period. Not many players perform and those who do are elderly; there are few young musicians playing this music.

music#

music began in the Edo period. Buddhist monks played the as a substitute for a sutra. Sometimes the is played along with other instruments.

Traditional Japanese music#

uses the Japanese , which differs from the Chinese . There are two well known families of , which can be distinguished by the shape of the plectra used in playing. *—originating in Western Japan, the style uses pointed oval-shaped plectra. The repertoire consists of classical pieces composed during the Edo period. This style contains more pieces that accompany singing. *—originating in Eastern Japan, the style uses a square-shaped plectra. In addition to classical pieces, also encompasses more recently composed music such as , thus the majority of modern koto performers belong to this style of .

Traditional music in modern culture#

Traditional Japanese musicians sometimes collaborate with modern Western musicians. Also, musicians create new styles of Japanese music influenced by the West but still use traditional musical instruments.

Traditional cultural events#

• Kabuki
• Noh
• Geisha

Artists#

• Yoshida Brothers
• Rin’

See also#

• Music of Japan
• Culture of Japan
• Shinto
• Buddhism in Japan
• Religion in Japan
• History of Japan

External links#

• Japan Guide
• Nipponia
• Shamisen with DJ
• Yoshida Brothers’ “Kodo”
• Yoshida Brothers’ official website
• Yoshida Kyōdai’s official website
• “Venerated Patterns of China and Japan” (CD)
• History of Japanese Traditional Music at Nippon Columbia