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Want to know more about Japan Music, Read On! I'm sure you won't regret! Love, Joslyn and Stella.

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Hi!!!!! I'm Joslyn, plus Stella!
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Japanese Music Types

Thursday, July 22, 2010 7:28 AM

Konbanwa!

Joslyn desu! :)

A quick entry today on different music types. Because there are so many in Japan, considering it's rich history that dates back till... well, who knows, I won't be going into too much detail about them. Except for J-pop from post-war Showa period to present, which I will be explaining more about soon. For now, here are the TRADITIONAL music types.

In Japanese music, there are three main types: instrumental, theatrical and court music.

Instrumental music include different types such as Biwagaku, which is played with the biwa; Sokyaku, played by the koto (which looks a little like the Chinese guzheng or zither). In Sokyaku, in the later years of its development, it was accompanied by the shamisen and shakuhachi instruments which are a string and wind instrument respectively. The shakuhachi also has a music type of its own.

For theatrical music, as mentioned in my previous post earlier on, include the likes of Noh, Kabuki and the Bunraku. Noh has its own musical type- Nohgaku, literally translated as Noh music. It is played during Noh performances and the musical chorus inclue the Tsuzumi drum and Hayashi flute. The shamisen intrument plays an important part in Kabuki and Bunraku as it is one of the base instruments of the musical part of the theatre type.

Court music include Gagaku and Minyo. Minyo are folk songs that were soon popularized and were more common amongst the commoners very quickly. As for Gagaku however, it is an ancient type of court music with origins from China and Korea. It is also the OLDEST form of traditional music in Japan and was exclusive only to those of the court.

Yup, that's all for now. My eyes are drooping and my typing speed is getting slower. LOL.

Oyasumi!

Joslyn