Discover 5 instruments of Japanese traditional music

2019年 08月16日


Although you probably already have an idea of what Japanese traditional music can be, do you know its instruments? Here is a list, not exhaustive of course, of five of them:
The Biwa, favorite instrument of the goddess of poetry and music, Benzaiten, is frequently used to accompany war stories and tales. It usually has four strings and its shape being very similar to Japan's largest lake, the latter took its name and is now called Lake Biwa. The instrument was introduced to Japan in the late seventh century and comes from the Chinese instrument called pipa. Some biwas that have been preserved date back to the 8th century!
Biwa

The Shamisen, also derived from a traditional Chinese instrument, the Sanxian, would have been introduced to Okinawa in the 17th century and would quickly become popular with the imperial court. Playing with contrasting silence and sound, its notes are very powerful. It has three strings, and is played kneeling, it became particularly popular among geisha and Kabuki pieces.
Two geishas playing music, the instrument on the left is a shamisen
 
Taiko, if you've been to Japan before, and you've seen one of the many festivals happening there, you probably know this traditional percussion instrument. Resembling a big drum, it traditionally give the rhythms to the traditional dances that parade through the streets, the powerful sound it produces creates a very special atmosphere. The first traces of the instrument in Japan date back to the sixth century.
A man playing Taiko
 

The Koto, also a string instrument, the koto is often called "Japanese Harp" because of the similar sounds it produces. Introduced from China to Japan in the 12th century, he was popular at the Imperial Court and often accompanies Kabuki or Bunraku shows. Measuring in general about 1m80 and counting usually 13 strings, it requires great dexterity, indeed some koto can have up to more than 30 strings.

Two women playing Koto

The Shō, although it is not the best-known traditional instrument, it is nonetheless extremely interesting. Indeed, it is also sometimes called "mouth organ" since it consists of several pipes of different heights, the two largest are silent but kept for aesthetic reasons, representing the wings of a phoenix. It was introduced in Japan under the Nara era, in the eighth century. Instrument It was rediscovered in the 20th century as many contemporary Japanese composers used it in their compositions. The famous American experimental composer John Cage will also use it in his compositions, or the Icelandic singer Björk will use it for the soundtrack of the film Drawing Restraint 9.

Shō


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