V2_Mus2_SLG_3.2_Characteristics of Japanese and Music Theater


Introduction to Japanese Music

  • Cultural Overview:

    • Japanese music reflects cultural values and societal norms.

    • Influenced by migration and interaction with other countries, especially China.

    • Evolution from earlier forms in the 3rd century.

Characteristics of Japanese Music

  • Cultural Significance:

    • Music is integral to Japanese life, accompanying virtually all events.

    • Influenced by nature and real life, impacting architecture, food presentation, and music genres.

  • Musical Scales:

    • Predominantly pentatonic (five-tone scale).

    • Bright sounding without minor notes, commonly used in traditional folk songs.

    • Examples of Japanese Scales:

      • Hirajoshi Scale: one of the regularly used scales in Japanese music

      • Yo Scale: used in traditional folk songs, does not contain minor scales so it is labeled as "bright.”

      • In Scale: Known as "Sakura Pentatonic Scale"” used in the folk song "Sakura Sakura.".

Analysis of "Sakura"

  • Overview:

    • Traditional folk song representing spring and cherry blossoms.

    • Composed in the early 16th century during the Edo period, gained popularity during the Meiji Period.

    • Initially acappella, later accompanied by koto instrumental.

    • Uses In scale

  • Musical Qualities:

    • Features simple melodic lines and repetition.

    • Slow, meditative pace reflective of nature.

    • Ritualistic

Japanese Theaters

Bunraku

  • Definition:

    • Traditional Japanese puppet theatre, popularized during the Edo period.

    • Also called "ningyo joruri" combining puppetry and shamisen music.

    • Ningyo: Puppet, Joruri: name of the chant accompanied by the shamisen

    • Shamisen - a three-stringed guitar-like instrument

  • Characteristics:

    • Evolved from common entertainment to an artistic form.

    • Three types of performers:

      1. Ningyotsukai (puppeteers)

      2. Tayu (chanter)

      3. Shamisen player

    • Performance involves cthe collaborationof three operators to effectively animate puppets.

      1. Chief operator (omozukai): operates puppet head and right hand

      2. Puppeeter (hidarizukai): operates the left hand

      3. Leg handler (ashizukai): operates the legs of the puppet

  • Narrative Techniques:

    • Gidayu/Tayu: narrator

    • Kotoba: spoken sections

    • Ji: sung sections

    • Fushi: emotion-filled songs

Noh Theatre

  • Definition:

    • A traditional theater form encompassing music, dance, and drama.

  • Characteristics:

    • Themes often revolve around history, legend, and supernatural elements.

    • Four musicians (Hayashi) : provides the soundtrack

      1. Fue (Flute)

      2. Tsuzuni

      3. Taiko

    • All performers are male.

    • Each musician specializes in one instrument

Conclusion

  • Japanese music represents a culmination of traditional and contemporary influences.

  • Continues to symbolize cultural identity and values, showcasing a rich history preserved through dramatic arts like Noh and Bunraku.