World Music Name__________________________

Study Guide: Japan

1. __________________ is the general name for traditional music in Japan.

2. The voice, the ______________, and the ________________ seemed to share basic melody, but each
performed the melody in a somewhat different fashion, rhythmically as well as melodically resulting in a
texture that may be described as ________________.

3. Classify and describe the following primary Japanese instruments:

4. Since 1652, _____________ has been performed by adult males, as it still is today, and female roles
are impersonated by male actors.

5. Kabuki has borrowed a lot from other types of theater, such as the classical __________ theater and
the puppet theater ________________.

6. Describe some of the interesting features of a kabuki stage. How are these features utilized during a
performance?

7. On-stage musicians in kabuki theater are called degatari. This group is divided functionally into two
separate ensembles, called ___________________ (storytellers) and ________________________
(ensemble specializing in performing long songs).

8. The bunraku puppet, made of wood, is moved by _________ puppeteers who manipulate its arms,
fingers, legs, body, head, eyes, mouth, and even eyebrows with extreme realis

9. Exclusively an art of the ruling samurai class from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries, ________,
is a performance style of elegant simplicity and restraint with major themes of redemption of human
suffering through the love of _________________

10. ______________________ is the generic name for Japanese ensembles of flutes and dru

11. List and describe the instruments used in the theater.

12. Buddhism came to Japan in the _______ century from ______________________. By this time it was
already a thousand years old and a highly developed religion.

13. Popular koto-and-vocal music of the Edo Period is known under the generic name of _________

14. The common instrumental koto ensemble today is called sankyoku, meaning trio, and consists of
what three instruments?

15. Listen to the sokyoku audio track and describe how the musicians are creating a heterophonic
texture.

16. ________, meaning elegant or refined music, is the instrumental and choral music and dance that
has been under the continual patronage of the imperial court for more than a thousand years.
Influenced by the ancient music of ________________________________, it has been carefully
transmitted by generations of court musicians to the present day and is perhaps the _____________
____ ensemble music in the world.

17. Gagaku music, like most Japanese music that came after it, was conceived in an aesthetic scheme of
introduction-exposition-denouement known as ________________________.

ANSWERS:

1. Gagaku

2. shamisen, koto, heterophonic.

3.

 Koto: The Japanese koto has 13 strings plucked using fingerpicks.

 Shamisen: The three-stringed shamisen has a narrow neck and a skin-covered drum-like body.
A bachi plectrum is used.
 Shakuhachi: A bamboo flute having four front and one rear hole. Blow air over the top
opening to play its unique, breathy sound.

4. Kabuki

5. Noh, Bunraku.
6. Traditional Japanese Kabuki has extravagant costumes, stylized makeup, and a unique stage
design. Kabuki performances are distinguished by the stage's unique elements. Some significant
features and their uses:

 Hanamichi (flower path): Hanamichi is a runway that runs from the rear of the theatre
through the audience to the stage. This lets actors enter and exit dramatically, bringing them
closer to the audience. The immersive and dynamic experience is enhanced by using it during
critical sequences.
 Tachimawari (revolving stage): Rotating the stage allows rapid scene changes and
perspective shifts. This function fluidly transitions between places to add visual interest and
storytelling.
 Trapdoors: The stage has trapdoors for unexpected character entrances and exits and unique
effects like props and performers appearing and disappearing. The act becomes more
mysterious and magical.
 Seridashi: The lifting platforms that raise actors are called Seridashi. In mystical or dreamy
scenarios, this emphasizes the otherworldly aspect of persons or events.
 Keren's special effects: Kabuki stages have trapdoors, hidden cables, and rain, snow, and mist
devices. These effects improve the show's visuals and theatrical experience.
 Mawari-butai (revolving stage within the main stage): Some kabuki stages have a miniature
revolving stage alongside the tachimawari. This enables more complicated and dynamic scene
transitions, complicating the tale.
 Yuka (raised platform): The yuka is a stage platform used for scenes or character entrances. It
gives the performance visual variety and emphasizes key moments.
 These aspects are decorative but essential to kabuki storytelling. They enhance the story's
emotional effect with a vibrant and beautiful presentation. Kabuki performances are engaging
due to dramatic entrances, innovative scene changes, and special effects.

7. "geza", ongyok

8. Three

9. Noh, gods

10. "Hayashi"
11.

 Piano: Musical theatre uses the piano to accompany vocals.

 Guitar: Musicals and plays with modern or folk music use acoustic or electric guitars.
 Drums/Percussion: Drums, cymbals, and tambourines add rhythm and intensity to scenes.
 Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone: Woodwind instruments bring melodic and harmonic components
to theatre music.
 Trumpet/Trombone/French Horn: Brass instruments add melodic and harmonic depth to the
score.
 Strings: Along with the piano, the violin, cello, and double bass can provide a beautiful
melodic backdrop.

12.6th, Korean Peninsula,

13. Joruri.

14. Koto, Shamisen, Shakuhachi

15. Two or more voices or instruments play the same melody in heterophony.
Each artist adds their own interpretation to the melody, creating a rich and
diverse sound. Musicians may layer the main melody with ornamentations,
variations, or embellishments in a heterophonic texture. Different instruments
or voices may gently depart from the main line, giving nuances and character.

To analyze you must identify occasions where numerous instruments or voices

perform versions of the same theme simultaneously to analyze heterophony in
an audio track. Find variances in pitch, rhythm, and embellishment between
performers. Consider how these variations interact and complement to create a
complex musical texture.
16. Gagaku, China and Korea, oldest

17. jo-ha-kyu.