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(October 2007)

Musicians and dancer, Muromachi period One of the characteristics of traditional Japanese music is a sparse rhythm. It also doesn't have regular chords. In Japanese music, one cannot beat time with one's hands because there is an interval ma (?). The rhythms are based on ma; silence is important. Japanese music flows, in an attempt to reflect the feeling of nature. The tempo usually starts out very slow and gets faster, returns to being slow again, and has a drawn-out ending. Traditional Japanese music is influenced by Chinese music because some of the musical instruments used in it came from China.

Contents
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1 Types of traditional Japanese music o 1.1 Kabuki

o o o o o o o

1.2 Noh 1.3 Gagaku 1.4 Shomyo 1.5 Jruri 1.6 Nagauta 1.7 Shakuhachi music 1.8 Skyoku

2 Traditional music in modern culture 3 Traditional musical instruments 4 Traditional cultural events 5 Artists 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] Types of traditional Japanese music

There are three types of traditional music in Japan: instrumental, theatrical, and court music.

[edit] Kabuki
Kabuki (?) is a type of Japanese theatre. The music of kabuki can be divided into three parts:

Gidayubushi largely identical to jruri. Shimoza ongaku music is played in kuromisu, the lower seats below the stage. Debayashi incidental music, played on the Kabuki stage; also known as degatari .

[edit] Noh
Noh (?) or ngaku (?) is another type of theatrical music. Noh music is played by the hayashi-kata. The instruments used are the taiko (?), tsuzumi (?), kotsuzumi (?), and fue (, flute?).

[edit] Gagaku
Main article: Gagaku Gagaku (?) is court music, and is the oldest traditional music in Japan. Gagaku music includes songs, dances, and a mixture of other Asian music. Gagaku has two styles; these are instrumental music kigaku (?) and vocal music seigaku (?).

Instrumental Music o Kangen (?) - basically, a Chinese form of music.

o

Bugaku (?) - influenced by Chinese and Korean music.

Vocal Music
o o o o o

Kumeuta (?) Kagurauta (?) Azumaasobi (?) Sailboat (?) Roue (?)

[edit] Shomyo
Shomyo (?) is kind of Buddhist song which is an added melody for a sutra. Shomyo came from India, and it began in Japan in the Nara period. Shoumyo does not use musical instruments and is sung by one or more than two Buddhist monks.

[edit] Jruri

Jruri (?) is narrative music using the shamisen (?). There are mainly four jruri styles. These has influence.

Gidayubushi (?)- During the Edo period, Takemoto Gidayu (?) began to play jyoruri in Osaka. This type of jruri is for bunraku, (puppet plays). Tokiwazubushi (?) - During the Edo period, Tokiwazu Mojidayu ( ?) began to play this style of jyoruri in Edo. This type of jruri is for kabuki dances called Shosagoto. Kiyomotobushi (?) - Kiyomoto Enjyudayu (?) began to play this for kabuki dances in Edo during the late Edo period. He began to play this style in 1814. He played Tomimotobushi style at first. He spun off from Tomimotobushi style. He started Kiyomotobushi style. This style is light. This style is refreshingly unrestrained. This style is chic. Shinnaibushi (?) - In the middle of the Edo period, Tsuruga Shinnai ( ?) began to play this for kabuki. This style of jruri is typically alive and upbeat.

There are other four jruri styles. These does not has influence. Katbushi , Icchuubushi and Miyazonobushi are old style. Katbushi , Icchuubushi and Miyazonobushi are called Kokyoku (?). Kokyoku means old music. Exactly , Kokyoku is Icchuubushi , Katbushi , Miyazonobushi and Ogiebushi(?). Ogiebushi is not jruri. Ogiebushi is like Nagauta.

Katbushi (?) - During the Edo period, Masumi Kat (?) (16841725) began to play this style. He started this style in 1717. This style is heavy. Icchuubushi or Itchubushi (?) - During the Edo period, Miyako Icchuu ( ?) or Miyakodayuu Icchuu (?)(1650-1724) began to play this style. Miyazonobushi (?) or Sonohachibushi (?) - During the Edo period, Miyakoji Sonohachi (?) began to play this style in Kyoto. Miyazonobushi is modest style. Tomimotobushi (?) - During the Edo period, Tomimoto Buzennoj ( ?) (1716-1764) began to play this style. Tomimoto Buzennoj played Tokiwazubushi style at first. He spun off from Tokiwazubushi style. He started Tomimotobushi style.

[edit] Nagauta
Nagauta (?) is music using the shamisen. There are three styles of nagauta: one for kabuki dance, one for kabuki dialogue, and one of music unconnected with kabuki. Ogiebushi (?) is music like Nagauta. Ogie Royuu (?) (?-1787) began to play this style music. Ogie Royuu played Nagauta style at first. He spun off from Nagauta style.

He started Ogiebushi style. This style music was mainly sung at Yoshiwara. Ogiebushi is classified as Kokyoku(old music). Now Kokyoku is Katohbushi , Icchuubushi , Miyazonobushi and Ogiebushi. Kokyoku is old music. In addition , Few play Kokyoku. (limited player) Player is old. Young player is few.

[edit] Shakuhachi music

Shakuhachi (?) music began in the Edo period. Buddhist monks played the shakuhachi as a substitute for a sutra. Sometimes the shakuhachi is played along with other instruments.

[edit] Skyoku
Skyoku (?) uses the "Chinese koto" (guzheng), which differs from the Japanese koto (?). There are two schools of skyoku.

Ikuta ryu - Originated in Eastern Japan. It is played with shamisen. Yamada ryu - Originated in Western Japan. It is focused on songs.