Japan

Overview Region=East Asia Consists of 3,000 islands, capital=Tokyo Constitutional monarchy with prime minister History traces back to 660 BC Emperor Akihito

Cultural Influences China (system of writing; music) India, Korea, China (religion: Buddhism) Europe and U.S. (Western classical music; popular culture) During Meiji period ( , Western art music incorporated into educational system)

Japanese Isolationism Edo/Tokugawa period ( ): period of extreme isolationism, lead to consolidation of traditional arts Japanese religions: – Shinto (animist, was state religion until WWII) – Zen Buddhism (Japanese form of Buddhism, emphasizing meditation to reach state of heightened awareness)

Zen Art Forms

Japanese Ethos Complex simplicity Emphasis on process Silence is just as important as sound Arts important tool for spiritual development

Timbre and Melody Use of variety of timbres, including unpitched sounds Sparse textures Singing tonal quality=tense, narrow Emphasis on melody, not harmony Use of short motifs Open-ended pieces Varied repetitions

Rhythm and Form Use of flexible or “beatless” rhythm Percussion rhythm may be different from melody rhythm (“sliding door effect”) Most common form: jo- ha-kyu (based on tempo changes) Jo = slow introduction Ha=breaking apart (tempo builds) Kyu=rushing, tempo reaches peak, then slows to end

Concept of “Ma” “ma”=space/interval, but refers to overall timing of piece, and relationship between sounds and silence Aesthetic criteria: a good performance has good “ma”

Koto It is a 2 metre long, 13-string zither It is made of Paulownia wood. It is plucked using picks on the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand. The left hand can modify pitch and tone. It is used in an ensemble in Gagaku or as a solo instrument.

Shamisen It is a 3-string lute Made from one of a variety of woods such as red sandalwood. The head is covered with cat or dog skin. The pegs are traditionally made of ivory. The strings are twisted silk.

Biwa Short-necked lute Used in Gagaku, to accompany early puppet plays It was also used by blind monk entertainers Held almost vertical and played with a large bachi (plectrum).

Drums Large Japanese drums are called taikos. Most have two membranes which are nailed or laced and are struck with sticks. The hourglass-shaped tsuzumi is from 7th century Asia There are two varieties, the small kotsuzumi and the large otsuzumi.

Flutes The Shakuhachi is a bamboo flute. It has 4 or 5 finger holes on the front face and a thumb hole on the back. It was used in Gagaku. In medieval times the shakuhachi was played by wandering Buddhist priests known as komuso or 'priests of nothingness'.

Japanese Music Three general types of instruments percussion instruments stringed instruments wind instruments Gagaku (Imperial court music). The imperial court music of Japan Is made up of three main parts - Shinto religious music/folk music Komagaku (Heian) – No strings! Tōgaku (Tang) - Dangak

Hogaku (Japanese Traditional Music) PITCH AND SCALES: Pentatonic scales common Scales=collection of intervals around “nuclear” tones located a fourth apart (emphasis on fourths)

Bunraku (puppet theater) Patronized by artisan and merchant classes (Tokugawa period) Requires two musicians: singer/narrator (tayu) and shamisen player (in past, served as apprentices for many years) Uses large, elaborate puppets, some requiring several puppeteers Plots highly emotional, like today’s soap operas Requires intense training and discipline

Kabuki Kabuki theater – traditional theater music of Japan that is only preformed by men.

Kouta and Iemoto Kouta=song genre, response to women not being allowed to perform in kabuki. Iemoto=guild that guides and guards transmission of tradition and upholds teaching and performing standards. Many guilds, or schools, each with rigid hierarchy. New composition often discouraged or forbidden.

Karaoke (Ka-ra-oh-kay) “Empty orchestra” Technology designed to support and enhance amateur voices. Used to reinforce traditional Japanese custom of group singing, considered vital for good group dynamics. Scoring based on accuracy of reproduction, but also “personal expressiveness”