Music of Japan

Japanese vocal music is based on

the intervals of human breathing
rather than mathematical timing
Japanese musicians show their
spiritual self-mastery in mastering his
or her instrument more than simply
perfecting a technique
 They give value to their
performance and composure.
HOGAKU – traditional music based on
the early Chinese and Buddhist music.

SHIMYO – chants made on religious

hymns created by Buddhists.

YO-SEN – hard mode

IN-SEN – soft mode
(Each has 7 tones but only 5 are used)
J POP

 It means Japanese Pop.

 Musical genre that started in 1990s.

Even if the youth get interested with pop

and rock music, they still perform their
traditional music especially the festival
and folk music, epic singing, percussion
instruments and Theatrical plays.
 Instrumental music of Japan
 Traditional Japanese music is
basically meditative in character.
 Performance is highly ritualized,
as much in the music itself, as in
the composure of the musicians
when performing it.
 Japanese chamber and solo
music have a slow meditative pace.
 The performance of Japanese music
has traditionally been of a spiritual
character, similarly to martial arts and
other forms of art such as the tea
ceremony and calligraphy.

 It is usually about religious festivals,

work, dance, love, and regional songs.
 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

THE GAGAKU ORCHESTRA

 Japanese orchestra.
 Provides instrumental performances
as well as accompanying music for
dance presentation.
Consists of wind, strings and
percussion instruments.
 Percussion Instruments

KAKKO
 It is a small drum
whose both ends
are covered with
animal skin.
 It is played using
2 sticks.
KOTSUZUMI
 It is a shoulder
hand drum used
in the Noh play.
SHIMEDAIKO
 It is has a short
but wide body.
 It is suspended.
 It is played by
sticks calle
“batchi”
 String Instruments
KOTO

 It is a
plucked table
zither with 13
strings.
SHAMISEN

 is a long necked
plucked stringed
instrument.
 It has 3 string with
no frets.
Its major function is
to accompany singers
of geishas and kabuki
performances.
BIWA

 It is a lute pear-
shaped instrument
with 4 and 5 strings
and frets made from
wood.
 It is used to
accompany singing,
narratives and
storytelling.
 Wind Instruments

SHAKUHACHI

 It is an end-blown
five finger hole flute
used to accompany
Gagaku music.
HICHIRIKI

 It is a short
bamboo double
reed pipe with 9
finger holes.
SHO

 It is a set of 17
bamboo mouth
pipes.
RYūTEKI

 It is a flute
instrument.