Ma. Reina Gail T.

Lizaso
Discussant
Did you know?
Cherry blossoms (sakura) are
Japan's national flower.
In Japanese, the name “Japan” is
Nihon or Nippon, which means
“Land of the Rising Sun.”
Japan consists of over 6,800
islands.
Did you know?
Each spring, Japan has a festival that
celebrates both the penis and female
fertility called Kanamara Matsuri, or
“Festival of the Steel Phallus.”
Did you know?
The Japanese have such a low birth
rate that there are more adult diapers
sold than baby diapers.
Did you know?
Yaeba, or crooked teeth, are
considered attractive in
Japan—so much so that girls
go to the dentist to have their
teeth purposefully
unstraightened.
Did you know?
Haiku poetry, which was invented in
Japan, consists of only three lines and
is the world’s shortest poetic form.
Did you know?
Cartooning in Japan
began in the 12th
century, and today
more paper is used
for comics than for
toilet paper in that
country.
Did you know?
Anime, or animated Japanese films and
television shows, account for 60% of the
world’s animation-based entertainment.
Did you know?
Ninety percent of all mobile phones
sold in Japan are waterproof because
youth like to use
them even while
showering
Did you know?
In Japan, it is acceptable to take a
nap, called inemuri, on the job—it is
viewed as evidence of exhaustion from
working very hard.
When Japanese people meet, they
traditionally bow instead of shake
hands, and the lowest bow shows the
deepest respect
Did you know?
During World War II, Japan bombed
China with fleas infested with Bubonic
plague.
Did you know?
In Japan, black cats are considered
good luck charms or omens of good
luck.
Did you know?
Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys,
are the fabled animals that “see no evil,
hear no evil, and speak no evil.” The
macaques in northern Honshu live farther
north than any other monkey in the
world.
Did you know?
In Japan, it is considered rude to tear
the wrapping paper off of a gift.
Did you know?
Geisha in Japanese
means “person of the
arts,” and the first
geishas were actually
men called taikomochi
and they had a role
similar to Western court
jesters.
Did you know?
Noh drama is the oldest surviving
theatrical form in the world, dating back
to the 14th century. In this drama, all
female characters wear elaborate masks
while the male characters do not
Did you know?
To this day, Japan is the only country to
ever have a nuclear bomb detonated on its
soil. Kumamoto was the original target of
the atomic bomb dropped by the U.S. Air
Force on Hiroshima. On the day of the
flight in April 1945, Kumamoto was
covered in clouds, and the bomber passed
it by, dropping the bomb on Hiroshima
instead.
Did you know?
The sole Japanese man who survived
the wreck of the RMS Titanic in 1914,
Masabumi Hosono, was called a
coward in his country for not dying
with the other passengers.
Japanese Traditional Music
 JAPANESE MUSIC
Traditional Japanese music is quite
different from Western Music and is
based on the intervals of human
breathing rather than mathematical
timing.
Much of the traditional music of Japan
was brought by the Chinese and Korean
musicians around the 8th century.
For many years, music was mainly
performed by court musicians, Buddhist
priest, and scholars.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, it
reached its peak when, by orders of the
emperors, Japan closed its doors to
influences from other countries.
Vocally, the Japanese tend to sing
song in high, tight-throated and
mellismatic manner.
In general, vocal music plays an
important role than instrumental
music in the history of Japanese
music.
Japanese music has two basic types
of scales, both pentatonic in nature.
These are the male scale called
Yo-sen and the female scale known
as In-sen
• JAPAN\Yo_scale_on_D.mid
There are two ancient foundations
for Japanese traditional music.
a. SHOMYO
b. GAGAKU
Shomyo
Is also called Buddhist chanting.
The chants are based on sacred text
and hymns. They have flexible
rhythm, where the singers simply
stops when there is no more
breath.
Shomyo
They are sung acapella and are
monophonic texture.
At present, the SHOMYO has lost its
real religious nature and has
become more and more of a formal
ceremonial music in the temple and
at home
JAPAN\Shingon (Shomyo Chant).mp4
Gagaku
Literally means “ elegant and
refined music ”.
It is a court music consisting of an
instrumental ensemble with dance.
This court music has been greatly
influenced by China.
JAPAN\Gagaku.mp4
Musical Instruments of Japan
Koto
Shamisen
Biwa
A short neck lute,
used from the 7th
century in
Gagaku to
accompany the
early puppet play
and also by blind
monk
entertainers.
Shakuhachi
A bamboo flute.
It has four finger holes on the
front and one thumb hole in
back.
Shinobue
Is a vertical flute made from the lower
portion of the bamboo stem. The
number of the finger holes is
traditionally
five.
Hichiriki
a short cylindrical oboe made of
bamboo with seven front finger holes,
and rear thumbholes.
Sho
Is a set of 17 reed pipes that
are placed in a cup-shaped
wind chest. By blowing into
the wind chest through a
mouthpiece and closing
certain holes in the pipes, a
series of ethereal chords
can be produced.
• JAPAN\Sho.mp4
Kakko
A gagaku
instrument that is
made up of deer
skin.
Tsuri Daiko
A suspended drum
used in the gagaku
ensemble that has a
lacquered body and
tacked head.
Kotsuzumi
An hourglass-shaped laced
hand drum. It can produce a
number of distinct tones
depending on how tightly the
left hand squeezes the laces
and where the right hand
strikes the head. It is
found in the Noh and
Nagauta ensembles
Taiko
Is a big fat
drum
• JAPAN\4 musical instruments of
Japan.mp4
Japanese Theater
 Kabuki
A theater for the common people.
This production often described as more showy
than the Noh.
It utilizes costumes, sceneries and stage actions
and dances.
 Kabuki
This theatrical presentation is accompanied by
bamboo flutes, drums and the Shamisen.
It is often accompanied by the group of
percussionist who play the sound effects
off stage.
JAPAN\64.Kabuki- The people's dramatic art -
Amanda Mattes.mp4
JAPAN\Kabuki Dance- Bando Tamasaburo.
Yamanba.mp4
 Noh Theater
A classical theatrical form.

The usual plots for this kind of theatrical

presentation include loyalty, tragedy and honor.
 Noh Theater
They wear elaborate costumes and masks.
The musical ensemble for this theatrical genre
consists of a high pitch bamboo flute, three
drums and a small male vocal ensemble.
JAPAN\noh.mp4
 Bunraku
A Japanese form of puppet theater.
The puppeteer sings and chants the dialogue as
one shamisen player accompanies him.
Each puppet is a bit more than half life-size which
is operated by a puppeteer clothed in black hood.
JAPAN\bugaku.mp4
 Sakura
JAPAN\Sakura