Music and Theater From Japan

By: Mr. Benoit

History of Japanese Music

Japanese music began to be performed with festivals and ceremonies

Originally performed on drums and flutes

Music was imported from Korea and China (web-Japan, n.d.)

Gagaku

Meaning “Court Music”, Gagaku was a general name for music performed in a court, or formal, setting (web-Japan, n.d.)

“Japanese court music (gagaku) is the oldest continuous orchestral music in the world today, with a history in Japan of more than 1300 years” (Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies, 2013).

Instruments - Sho

The Sho is made of reeds, and is played upright with the performer blowing through the reeds

Instruments - Hichiriki

Another wind instrument from the flute family, the Hichiriki resembles an oboe, but is also made of reeds (web-Japan, n.d.)

Instruments - Biwa

Resembling a lute, or small guitar, the Biwa is a pear-shaped instrument made with silk strings and played with a large pick called a Bachi (Encyclopedia Brittanica, 2013)

Instruments - Koto

A long instrument with many strings, the Koto uses movable bridges to create different pitches

Instruments - Taiko

A large drum used in Gagaku Multiple drums use the name Taiko, but are

characterized mostly by their large size

Gagaku Orchestra

Gagaku Orchestra

Gagaku Today

Much like our orchestral music, the works of great musicians from the past 1300 years are often performed

Although Gagaku has changed throughout history, many efforts have been made to keep the music as close to tradition as possible

Almost 50 years ago, Gagaku musicians decided to include modern influences, and Gagaku has continued to change (Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies, 2013)

Dance and Theater

Music is closely tied to the popular classical theater styles in Japan (Kabuki and Bunraku, 2013)

The three types of theater in Japan are Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku

Each features different musical accompaniment, but the music remains important through each performance

We will examine the two most popular and distinct: Kabuki and Bunraku

Kabuki

Kabuki is a Japanese stage play involving music accompaniment and very intricate movements

Actors wear elaborate costumes and make-up in order to create a greater experience for the audience

“Dynamic stage sets such as revolving platforms and trapdoors allow for the prompt changing of a scene or the appearance/disappearance of actors.” (Kabuki and Bunraku, 2013)

Kabuki Music

Kabuki music is often played on a guitar-like instrument called the Shamisen

The Shamisen is similar to the Biwa, but with a smaller body

Kabuki Music

Pictured here is a Kabuki ensemble: the shamisen players sit on the top right side, with the chorus on the left and percussionists in the bottom row

Bunraku

Bunraku is Japanese puppet theater Each puppet is half the size of a real person, and is

operated by three people (Kabuki and Bunraku, 2013)

“The puppeteers are in full view of the audience, but are dressed in black to symbolize that they are to be taken as "invisible".” (Kabuki and Bunraku, 2013)

All puppets are voiced by one person, who also provides the narration for the story (Kabuki and Bunraku, 2013)

Bunraku Music

Bunraku is also accompanied by the Shamisen, used in Kabuki

The pace of the music directly reflects the action seen on stage (Kabuki and Bunraku, 2013).

Pictured here is a shamisen player with the narrator keeping pace with the music

Bunraku Puppets

Three masked puppeteers work to bring this puppet to life

References

Kabuki and Bunraku. (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.japan-guide.com/

Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies. (2013). Gagaku Japanese Classical Music. Retrieved from: http://www.medievaljapanesestudies.org/current-

activities-programs/gagaku-classical-japanese-music.html

Web Japan. (n.d.). About Japanese Music. Retrieved from: http://web-japan.org/museum/music/about_mu.html

Taiko. (2013). In Encyclopedia Brittanica online. Retrieved from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/580694/taiko

Biwa. (2013). In Encyclopedia Brittanica online. Retrieved from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/67310/biwa

Images

Jyoshiki. (2006). Kabuki Theater. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jyoshiki/2275354382/

TANAKA Juuyoh. (2010). Japanase Free Reed Musical Instrument (Sho). Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanaka_juuyoh/4399918898/

Carolien Coenen. (2010). Kitanodai Gagaku Kai concert in Leuven. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolienc/5214200322/

Peter Roan. (2008). Heike Biwa. Retreived from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjr1961/2302728119/

Images cont.

Timothy Takemoto. (2009). Koto (Japanese Harp). Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nihonbunka/3352647159/

Marshall Astor. (2006). Koto – Front View. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifeontheedge/246580811/

Karan J. (2005). Taiko. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/karanj/31869475/

Mapemono. (2003). Taiko. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10218436@N00/51136061/

Images cont.

Bladsurb. (2009). gagaku à pleyel. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bladsurb/3942666278/

Juha Uitto. (2012). Tenri Gagaku. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12810816@N08/7289844238/

Chris Lewis. (2008). Kosaka Kabuki. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrissam42/2644359816/

Susan Renee. (2002). Bunraku (Puppets). Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanrenee/426972395/

Images cont.

Wexner Center. (2007). Kerry James Marshall Japan Visit. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wexnercenter/1285355971/

Dalbera. (2008). Fumie Hihara, au shamisen (danse du Kabuki / musée Guimet). Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalbera/3052313015/

Carolien Coenen. (2010). Kitanodai Gagaku Kai concert in Leuven. Retrieved from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolienc/5214203812/