A somewhat maybe brief history of Japanese Music
The origins of some styles of Japanese music are shrouded in mystery. Most Japanese instruments originated from mostly China, India and Korea. With having these instruments mostly foreign the musicians were usually foreign until the Japanese learned how to play them and eventually they added their own distinct Japanese culture to the instruments which could be heavily heard in the music itself.
The Nara period (710-794) was the first period of Japan that was very significant and where music began to flourish. Traditional folk music in Japan began to be recognized in festivals for dances, but was still mostly played throughout villages. Court music or gagaku originated from China and was played in the Imperial Court for people of standing authority. Buddhist music that was used in rituals which also originated from China also became very well recognized in this period of time as well.
The next period of time was called the Heian period and lasted much longer than the the Nara period. (794-1185) This is the period of time where instruments were still mostly Chinese and the musicians Chinese as well along with many Japanese. The biwa, the koto and different types of flutes had many romantic arrangements composed in this time. This was the time period where court music solidified its presence in Japan. There were two main categories of court music, one originated from Chinese and Indian pieces and was called togaku and the other was called komagaku and the pieces were of Korean and Manchurian descent. Pieces were beginning to develop Japanese traits and composers began to emerge.
The Kamakura period was the era of the Shogun, which was a commander in Japan. (1185-1333) Traits of the Chinese, Korean and other types of music begain to disappear along with court music which became less played. Buddhist chants and rituals became more popular. This era was mostly dominated by military events and acts of war, as the Shogun were more of military than nobility.
The Muromachi period was not a long period (1333-1568) had much more drama and theatrics than the previous period. The shakahachi flute which was played mostly by wandering priests was heard a lot more, as apparently the priests in this time seemed to wander a bit more. Music began to be a bit more noticeable than it was the Kamakura period, and court music was slowly making its ascent again. The Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) was a very short period but not unsubstantial in the least. The lute was introduced from China and become rather popular in the style of Okinawa. Since this period of time was rather short, the development of music in this period was rather short as well.
The next period was the Tokugawa period or also called the Edo Period (1600- 1866) This was known as the final period of traditional Japanese music because after the Edo period came the Meiji period which was heavily influenced by Western music including pop and rock and other genres. The Edo period was very important for Japanese music culture as the koto and the shakahachi became very popular during this time. With the expansion of the economy during the 1800s, also came the expansion of traditional music once again.
The Nara period (710-794) was the first period of Japan that was very significant and where music began to flourish. Traditional folk music in Japan began to be recognized in festivals for dances, but was still mostly played throughout villages. Court music or gagaku originated from China and was played in the Imperial Court for people of standing authority. Buddhist music that was used in rituals which also originated from China also became very well recognized in this period of time as well.
The next period of time was called the Heian period and lasted much longer than the the Nara period. (794-1185) This is the period of time where instruments were still mostly Chinese and the musicians Chinese as well along with many Japanese. The biwa, the koto and different types of flutes had many romantic arrangements composed in this time. This was the time period where court music solidified its presence in Japan. There were two main categories of court music, one originated from Chinese and Indian pieces and was called togaku and the other was called komagaku and the pieces were of Korean and Manchurian descent. Pieces were beginning to develop Japanese traits and composers began to emerge.
The Kamakura period was the era of the Shogun, which was a commander in Japan. (1185-1333) Traits of the Chinese, Korean and other types of music begain to disappear along with court music which became less played. Buddhist chants and rituals became more popular. This era was mostly dominated by military events and acts of war, as the Shogun were more of military than nobility.
The Muromachi period was not a long period (1333-1568) had much more drama and theatrics than the previous period. The shakahachi flute which was played mostly by wandering priests was heard a lot more, as apparently the priests in this time seemed to wander a bit more. Music began to be a bit more noticeable than it was the Kamakura period, and court music was slowly making its ascent again. The Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) was a very short period but not unsubstantial in the least. The lute was introduced from China and become rather popular in the style of Okinawa. Since this period of time was rather short, the development of music in this period was rather short as well.
The next period was the Tokugawa period or also called the Edo Period (1600- 1866) This was known as the final period of traditional Japanese music because after the Edo period came the Meiji period which was heavily influenced by Western music including pop and rock and other genres. The Edo period was very important for Japanese music culture as the koto and the shakahachi became very popular during this time. With the expansion of the economy during the 1800s, also came the expansion of traditional music once again.
This is a selection of traditional Japanese folk music from the Edo period. In most Japanese music, vocals went with music very well as did a performance or dramatic showing of some sort.
After the Edo period, Western music greatly influenced Japanese culture and music began to resemble western music but with a distinct Japanese twist.
After the Edo period, Western music greatly influenced Japanese culture and music began to resemble western music but with a distinct Japanese twist.
Min'Yo
In Japan before the western invasion, the popular or mainstream songs were called zokuyo. These were mostly folk songs that farmers would sing in the fields while at work, and then eventually the geisha would sing them professionally, regionally, never nationally. Different regions in Japan would have very different and distinct music and would never be the same. For example. The Ainu which were driven north centuries prior had their very own unique music type. When the shakahachi was introduced, it was used in min'yo very much and it increased the popularity of folk music in Japan. In the 1920's min'yo began to get broadcasted on the radio, and some singers were broadcasted nationally and became "celebrities" in Japan. When Japan became more modern in the 19th century the true meaning of folk music was lost in Japan. Eventually the government would only be able to approve songs could've been played on the radio. The country of Japan seemed to become more western than ever before and min'yo did not seem suitable for it anymore, even though min'yo was able to and still does strive in smaller regions of Japan. In the Tsugaru region of Japan, blind people would sing to earn money. This type of music was called Tsugaru shamisen. Jonkara was one of the most popular songs of this "genre" and was know nationwide. Chikuzan Takahashi was one of the most "famous" of the Tsugaru shamisen but died in the year of 1988.
Ondo
In July there is a festival in Japan called Obon. It is rumored that during this time the souls of their ancestors return from the dead and they celebrate and comfort the souls. There was rarely any instruments during this festival but choirs and singers instead. In each region of Japan, Ondo festivals are celebrated differently. The music usually speaks of recent events to share with their ancestors as they return from the dead. Today, it is not taken as seriously as it was during other periods, but is more a form of entertainment and something to look forward to in the summer. More modern music that is sung at this festival is known as Goshu ondo.