Traditional Japanese music

One of the characteristics of traditional Japanese music is a sparse rhythm. It also doesn't have regularchords. In Japanese music, one cannot beat time with one's hands because there is an interval ma(間). 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 musicbecause some of the musical instruments used in it came from China.

Types of traditional Japanese music

Theatrical:

Kabuki

Kabuki (歌舞伎) is a type of Japanese theatre. The music of kabuki can be divided into three parts:

• Gidayubushi – largely identical to jōruri.
• 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り.

Noh

Noh (能) or nōgaku (能楽) is another type of theatrical music. Noh music is played by the hayashi-kata. The instruments used are the taiko, ōtsuzumi, kotsuzumi , and fue (, flute).

Music

Gagaku

Gagaku (雅楽) is court music, and is the oldest traditional music in Japan. Gagaku music includes songs, dances, and a mixture of otherAsian music. Gagaku has two styles; these are instrumental music kigaku (器楽) and vocal music seigaku (声楽).

• Instrumental Music
  • Kangen (管弦) - basically, a Chinese form of music.
  • Bugaku (舞楽) - influenced by Chinese and Korean music.

• Vocal Music
• Kumeuta (久米歌)
• Kagurauta (神楽歌)
• Azumaasobi (東遊び)
• Sailboat (催馬楽)
• Roue (朗詠)

• Shomyo

  Shomyo (声明) 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.

  
  Jōruri

  Jōruri (浄瑠璃) is narrative music using the shamisen (三味線). There are mainly four jōruri styles. These has influence.

  • Gidayubushi (義太夫節)- During the Edo period, Takemoto Gidayu (竹本義太夫) began to play jyoruri in Osaka. This type of jōruri is forbunraku, (puppet plays).
  • Tokiwazubushi (常磐津節) - During the Edo period, Tokiwazu Mojidayu (常磐津文字太夫) began to play this style of jyoruri in Edo. This type of jōruri is for kabuki dances called Shosagoto.
  • Kiyomotobushi (清元節) - Kiyomoto Enjyudayu (清元延寿太夫) 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 (新内節) - In the middle of the Edo period, Tsuruga Shinnai (鶴賀新内) began to play this for kabuki. This style of jōruri is typically alive and upbeat.

  
  

  
  

  There are other four jōruri styles. These does not has influence. Katōbushi , Icchuubushi and Miyazonobushi are old style. Katōbushi , Icchuubushi and Miyazonobushi are called Kokyoku (古曲). Kokyoku means old music. Exactly , Kokyoku is Icchuubushi , Katōbushi , Miyazonobushi and Ogiebushi(荻江節). Ogiebushi is not jōruri. Ogiebushi is like Nagauta.

  • Katōbushi (河東節) - During the Edo period, Masumi Katō (十寸見河東) (1684-1725) began to play this style. He started this style in 1717. This style is heavy.
  • Icchuubushi or Itchubushi (一中節) - During the Edo period, Miyako Icchuu (都一中) or Miyakodayuu Icchuu (都太夫一中)(1650-1724) began to play this style.
  • Miyazonobushi (宮薗節) or Sonohachibushi (薗八節) - During the Edo period, Miyakoji Sonohachi (宮古路薗八) began to play this style inKyoto. Miyazonobushi is modest style.
  • Tomimotobushi (富本節) - During the Edo period, Tomimoto Buzennojō (富本豊前掾) (1716-1764) began to play this style. Tomimoto Buzennojō played Tokiwazubushi style at first. He spun off from Tokiwazubushi style. He started Tomimotobushi style.

  Nagauta

  Nagauta (長唄) 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 (荻江節) is music like Nagauta. Ogie Royuu (荻江露友) (?-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.

  Shakuhachi music

  Shakuhachi (尺八) 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.

  Sōkyoku

  Sōkyoku (筝曲) uses the "Chinese koto" (guzheng), which differs from the Japanese koto (琴). There are two schools of sōkyoku.

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