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Music History World Music – The Music of Japan Lecture Notes I. Cultural Context of Japan A. Religion 1. Shinto: Beliefs in ancestral spirits and nature spirits 2. Zen Buddhism: Emphasis on meditation; believes in immediate enlightenment B. Isolated country C. Emphasis on family D. Consists of four main islands and nearly 3000 smaller islands II. The style of Japanese music is very similar to that of Chinese music with a few exceptions. A. Use of quarter tones and semitones (pitch bending) DEMONSTRATE B. There are more dissonant (clashing) harmonies C. The tempos are generally slower D. More use of silence E. Programmatic works F. Deep connection to nature III. The History of the Music of Japan A. Native folk music was primarily designed to accompany Buddhist rituals. 1. Music was very primitive. 2. Remained this way until the Nara period (710-794) when more complex court music arrived from China and India. 3. This music was primarily performed by foreign musicians, as the “locals” were unfamiliar with it. B. Chinese influence continued through the Heian period (794 – 1185) when the music began to develop the more Japanese characteristics that are evident today. C. During the Kamakura period (1185 – 1336), music lost much of its “international” characteristics and more emphasis was placed on Buddhist chants and dramatic music. D. Muromachi period (1336 – 1573) 1. Dramatic and theatrical music thrived 2. Bamboo flute gains wide use and popularity 3. Noh opera is formed E. Noh continued to flourish as time went on. F. The Meiji period (1868 – 1912) saw a great influx of western culture. 1. brass bands and military music 2. created nationalistic songs and marches G. Modern culture has helped to blend traditional music with more modern forms. 1 IV. The Music of Japan A. Traditional Music 1. Shomyo a. Type of Buddhist chant b. Dates back to eighth century c. Important source of all forms of Japanese music that developed in later years 2. Gagaku – orchestral court music; three types 3. Japanese folk songs a. Singers accompanied by traditional instruments b. work songs, religious songs, children’s songs and songs for gatherings (i.e. weddings, funerals, holidays, etc) B. Noh 1. Drama with music and dancing 2. Highly stylized and symbolic drama 3. Performed by a handful of male actors and musicians 4. Main character often wears a mask 5. Uses both singing and stylized speech 6. Sometimes uses instruments; only a bamboo flute and three types of drums C. Kabuki 1. Traditional Japanese theatre art 2. Originated in the sixteenth century; has evolved into a classical form of a cultural tradition a. Developed during a time of social upheaval (merchants versus the upper class) b. many themes of kabuki stories contain evidence of the conflicts between humanity and the feudal system. 3. Aspects of kabuki theatre a. No female actresses – all roles are played by men b. Encompasses all forms of theatre that came before it (including Noh – this is where it gets many stories) c. Acting is the most important aspect of Kabuki theatre (we may classify these gestures more as dancing than acting) d. Color scheme plays a critical role in the drama – sets, costumes and makeup are some of the most lavish in all of theatre e. Music is an integral part; several instruments are used in kabuki, both to accompany chanting and as a kind of sound effect. D. In reality, most Japanese music rarely listens to the folk music of that country. 1. Japan has thriving local music culture 2. American/Western pop music is heard there 3. Have their own pop/rock music 4. This music has had limited international exposure 2