Characteristics of Japanese Traditional Art Music
Melodies based on pentatonic scales are the most important element in Japanese music. Unlike Western art music, harmony does not exist in Japanese art music.
Ensembles are often made up of just a few instruments, each with its own timbre. Each part in an ensemble performs a slightly different version of the same melody in this transparent texture The way a Japanese instrument is played—including gestures—is as important as the quality of its sound. However, personal emotional expression is not the goal of traditional Japanese instrumentalists, so they usually sit still in a formal posture and don’t look at one another as they play.
A steady beat is often not present in traditional Japanese art music, but when it is present, it tends to be in duple meter and never goes very fast. The whole idea of rhythm is flexible, and traditional Japanese musicians are known for their skill in ornamenting a melody or rhythm. Improvisation is not the rule, however.
Traditional Japanese Instruments
The koto [KOH-to] (in the Sound Bank of MAKING MUSIC Grades 2 and 3) is a board zither with thirteen or more strings. The sound is mellow and resonant. Koto players place it on the floor when playing. At first the koto was enjoyed only by members of the upper class, but it developed into its present form and became popular with all Japanese people between 1600 and 1867. Since then it has been as popular in Japan as the piano has been in Western cultures.
The shakuhachi [shah-koo-HAH-chee] (in the Sound Bank for Bridges to Asia, Intermediate and Primary grades, and MAKING MUSIC Grades 2, 3, 5, and 8) is an end-blown bamboo flute. It has four finger holes on the front and one thumbhole in back. The player may move his or her head around to produce bends, shakes, and slides in ornamenting the melody. The shakuhachi is often associated with Buddhist monks, and its breathy tone quality works well in Zen meditation.
The shamisen [SHAH-mee-sen] (in the Sound Bank for Bridges to Asia, Primary level) is a long, narrow, three-string plucked lute. The square resonating box is covered with animal skin, and the strings are plucked with a large triangular pick. Japanese folk and popular songs have been accompanied by the shamisen since the 1600s.
The koto, shakuhachi, and shamisen are played together to perform some styles of traditional music with voice. The voice has an intense, tight sound that is low in pitch and ornamented with quivers, bends, slides, and other techniques.
Music is important to Japanese theater. Three kinds of Japanese theater are noh [no], kabuki [ka-BOO-kee], and banraku [bahn-rah-KOO].
Noh was the theater of royalty in the 1300s and 1400s. It is very fancy and not meant to be realistic. Noh plots usually have personal tragedy, loyalty, and honor as their themes. Sometimes there is a slow, controlled form of dance in noh theater. All noh actors wear elaborate costumes, but only the main characters wear masks. The actors are all male, even those with female roles. The band for noh theater includes a high-pitched bamboo flute, three drums, and a small, male vocal ensemble that tells the story in song. Occasionally, drum calls are played during the performance.
Kabuki is theater for the common people and has been popular since the early 1600s. The costumes, scenery, and stage action (including dance) are more flamboyant than in noh. Again, all performers are male. The band includes bamboo flute, the same drums as in noh, and a group of shamisen players who also sing. In addition, an off-stage group of mostly percussion plays sound effects.
Banraku is a uniquely Japanese form of puppet theater. Each puppet is a bit more than half life-size, and is operated by three puppeteers who wear black clothing and hoods (and are considered invisible). The cooperative effort and skill of these puppeteers bring the big, colorful puppets to life. The music and dialogue are performed by one person who sings and chants and one shamisen player.
One of the oldest styles of music currently being performed is the Japanese traditional court music (including dance) known as gagaku [GAA-gaa-ku]. People in Japan have been performing gagaku since the fifth century! This musical style is also used for Shinto religious ceremonies. Gagaku instrumentation includes winds, plucked strings, and percussion.
Many Japanese people studied and mastered Western art and pop music in every aspect during the twentieth century. Beginning in the 1990s, however, the government of Japan decided to increase the teaching of traditional Japanese music in the schools. Now each middle-school student in Japan is required to learn to play at least one Japanese instrument. Recently many Japanese young people have become interested in popular music from Singapore, Indonesia, and Africa. Balinese and Javanese gamelan study is available in universities in Japan, as well.
