1. Music and Theater From Japan
By: Mr. Benoit

2. History of Japanese Music

Japanese music began to be performed with festivals
and ceremonies

Originally performed on drums and flutes

Music was imported from Korea and China

3. Gagaku

Meaning “Court Music”, Gagaku was a general
name for music performed in a court, or formal,
setting

It is one of the oldest orchestral styles of music still
performed today, lasting for over 1300 years

4. Instruments - Sho

The Sho is made of reeds, and is played upright with
the performer blowing through the reeds

5. Instruments - Hichiriki

Another wind instrument from the flute family, the
Hichiriki resembles a recorder, but is also made of
reeds

6. Instruments - Biwa

Resembling a lute, or small guitar, the Biwa is a
pear-shaped instrument made with silk strings and
played with a large pick called a Bachi

7. Instruments - Koto

A long instrument with many strings, the Koto uses
movable bridges to create different pitches

8. Instruments - Taiko

A large drum used in Gagaku

Multiple drums use the name Taiko, but are
characterized mostly by their large size

9. Gagaku Orchestra

10. Gagaku Orchestra

11. Gagaku Today

Much like our orchestral music, the works of great
musicians from the past 1300 years are often
performed

Although Gagaku has changed throughout history,
many efforts have been made to keep the music as
close to tradition as possible

Almost 50 years ago, Gagaku musicians decided to
include modern influences, and Gagaku has
continued to change

12. Dance and Theater

Music is closely tied to the popular classical theater
styles in Japan

The three types of theater in Japan are Noh, Kabuki,
and Bunraku

Each features different musical accompaniment, but
the music remains important through each
performance

We will examine the two most popular and distinct:
Kabuki and Bunraku

13. Kabuki

Kabuki is a Japanese stage play
involving music accompaniment
and very intricate, dance-like
movements

Actors wear elaborate costumes
and make-up in order to create a
greater experience for the
audience

Stages usually include large sets
with movable floors and trick
doors

14. Kabuki Music

Kabuki music is often
played on a guitar-like
instrument called the
Shamisen

The Shamisen is similar
to the Biwa, but with a
smaller body

15. Kabuki Music

Pictured here is a Kabuki ensemble: the shamisen
players sit on the top right side, with the chorus on
the left and percussionists in the bottom row

16. Bunraku

Bunraku is Japanese puppet theater

Each puppet is half the size of a real person, and is
operated by three people

All puppets are voiced by one person, who also
provides the narration for the story

17. Bunraku Music

Bunraku is also
accompanied by the
Shamisen, used in
Kabuki

The pace of the music
directly reflects the
action seen on stage

Pictured here is a
shamisen player with
the narrator keeping
pace with the music

18. Bunraku Puppets

Three masked puppeteers work to bring this puppet
to life

19. References

Kabuki and Bunraku. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://www.japan-guide.com/

Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies. (2013).
Gagaku Japanese Classical Music. Retrieved from:
http://www.medievaljapanesestudies.org/current-
activities-programs/gagaku-classical-japanese-
music.html

Web Japan. (n.d.). About Japanese Music. Retrieved
from: http://web-
japan.org/museum/music/about_mu.html

20. Images

Jyoshiki. (2006). Kabuki Theater. Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jyoshiki/2275354382/

TANAKA Juuyoh. (2010). Japanase Free Reed
Musical Instrument (Sho). Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanaka_juuyoh/439991889

Carolien Coenen. (2010). Kitanodai Gagaku Kai
concert in Leuven. Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolienc/5214200322/

Peter Roan. (2008). Heike Biwa. Retreived from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjr1961/2302728119/

21. Images cont.

Timothy Takemoto. (2009). Koto (Japanese Harp).
Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nihonbunka/3352647159/

Marshall Astor. (2006). Koto – Front View.
Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifeontheedge/246580811/

Karan J. (2005). Taiko. Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/karanj/31869475/

Mapemono. (2003). Taiko. Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10218436@N00/51136061

22. Images cont.

Bladsurb. (2009). gagaku à pleyel. Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bladsurb/3942666278/

Juha Uitto. (2012). Tenri Gagaku. Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12810816@N08/72898442

Chris Lewis. (2008). Kosaka Kabuki. Retrieved
from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrissam42/2644359816/

Susan Renee. (2002). Bunraku (Puppets). Retrieved
from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanrenee/426972395/

23. Images cont.

Wexner Center. (2007). Kerry James Marshall Japan
Visit. Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wexnercenter/1285355971

Dalbera. (2008). Fumie Hihara, au shamisen (danse
du Kabuki / musée Guimet). Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalbera/3052313015/

Carolien Coenen. (2010). Kitanodai Gagaku Kai
concert in Leuven. Retrieved from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolienc/5214203812/