MUSIC OF

• Traditional music of Japan Traditional music of Japan are performed by small are performed by small ensembles of instruments ensembles of instruments and voices. Compositions and voices. Compositions often follow a three-part often follow a three-part form called jo-ha-kyū, form called jo-ha-kyū, which consists of an which consists of an introduction, a scattering introduction, a scattering effect in the central effect in the central section, and a rushing section, and a rushing effect near the end of the effect near the end of the piece. This form has piece. This form has permeated much of permeated much of Japanese music and Japanese music and applies to individual applies to individual musical phrases as well musical phrases as well as to entire compositions. as to entire compositions.

K O T O

K o t omusical instrument, a Japanese long zither. a long, rectangular box, made of paulownia wood. The instrument is strung lengthwise, and the strings are tuned by moving the bridges.. played using plectrums, or picks, of bamboo, bone, ivory, or plastic attached to the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the player's right hand. accommodates traditional pentatonic scales used in contemporary or European-influenced pieces. the harplike sound renders the instrument suitable for use as a solo instrument or in modern and traditional ensembles.

BIWA

Biwais a solo instrument

) arrived in Japan from China and Korea approximately 1300 years

ago, with what is still Japan’s orchestra of the court, Gagaku.

Shamisen with Plectrum

shamisen is a Japanese flat-backed, long-necked

lute. a descendant of the Chinese san-hsien,

which existed as early as the 13th century. has a catskin belly and back and three

strings that are struck with a bachi (a bone plectrum,).

is a traditional instrument in Kabuki theater.

LUTE

LUTE -refer generally to any string instrument having the strings running in a plane parallel to the sound table- specifically to any plucked string instrument with a neck (either fretted or unfretted) and a deep round back,- or more specifically to an instrument from the family of European lutes.

SHAKUHACHI

shakuhachi shakuhachi -- a Japanese end-blown flute. a Japanese end-blown flute.

- It was originally introduced from China - It was originally introduced from China into Japan in the 8th century and into Japan in the 8th century and

underwent a resurgence in the early Edo underwent a resurgence in the early Edo Period. Period.

- traditionally made of bamboo, but - traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in ABS and versions now exist in ABS and

hardwoods. hardwoods. - used by the monks of the Fuke school - used by the monks of the Fuke school

of Zen Buddhism in the practice of of Zen Buddhism in the practice of suizen (blowing meditation).suizen (blowing meditation).

SHINOBUE

Shinobue -is a Japanese transverse flute or fue that has a high-pitched sound.- plays important roles in noh and kabuki theatre music. -There are two styles: uta (song) and hayashi (festival). -The uta is properly tuned to the Western scale, and can be played in ensembles or as a solo instrument. . -The hayashi is not in the correct pitch, because it is simply a piece of hollow bamboo with holes cut into it. It emits a very high-pitched sound, and is appropriate for the festival/folk music of Japan.

During the early days

of the Meiji Restoration,

when Japan began to open

up to western trade,culture

and ideas,the world of

opera also began to

make its presence known.

An amateur group of foreigners in Yokohama

staged a production of the operetta Cox

and Box by Arthur Sullivan in September 1870.

The attempt was not successful because

traditional kabuki fans had no idea

about what was being said and

were not willing to play to see it.

Soon after Japanese intellectuals attempted

to create a national opera based on the

words of Japanese composers. The

first successful attempt, composed in 1904,

was a work about soldiers fighting

at the battlefield. This work, Roei No

Yume, by Sueharu Kitamura was in

the form of an oratorio. It became

quite popular after Japan's victory

over Russia in 1905.

VOCAL MUSIC