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Assignment no. 2

Bugaku 舞楽
Hassen ha and kyū 八仙破急

For this exercise, you are to carefully watch/listen to the video of Kitoku no kyū 貴徳急
located in Japanese Music Week 4: Assignments whilst following the explanation of the
different musical occurrences, the times for which have all been indicated, and explanations
on how to recognise them. After you have listened to Kitoku, your assignment is to watch the
video of Hassen and identify the different sections all of which you will have heard in the
video of Kitoku. The first section, the chōshi, is identical with Kitoku, and includes the same
koma ranjo / fukitome; however, there is no konetori. The tōkyoku 当曲 is, of course,
different, and also, please note that in this video, that two movements, the ha and kyū, are
performed, rather than just one. Please identify the different sections, including the ha and the
kyū, and indicate the times for each section in the space provided below. The ha ends with the
same fukitome that ends the koma ranjo. Be sure to indicate this in your answer. Follow the
format provided in the explanation for Kitoku.

The myth behind Hassen is that an immortal appeared before the emperor to praise his virtue,
after which he performed a dance. The composer is unknown. The dance is said to represent
the joy of an immortal, and indeed, the dancers’ stage presence is unique. The distinct
impression the ha and the kyū leave with the viewer accounts for the fame of this dance. The
kyū in particular, which is characterised by the clear rhythm of the percussion, is superb. The
construction of the repeated melody is equally good.

The dancer’s costume with the crane mask, unusual helmet, is said to represent the
immortal’s form.

Komaranjo – 0:00-6:53
Fukitome – 6:53-8:14
Tokyoku – 8:14-21:21, Ha – 8:14-14:42, Kyu-14:43~21:20
Fukitomeku – 21:21-End