Japan Flashcards
Noh Stage
long entrance/runway
tree background
3 drums 1 flute player infront of background
right side stage has male chorus
stage is rased
clay pots under stage
wooden with roof even if indoors
Kyogen
Comedy Noh
Kabuki
Originates: 1600 Kyoto
commen people’s theater
all male
instraments verry
Kabuki Stage
Visually busy w/props and sets
foot bridge into audience
trap doors and other special fx
Bunraku
1600-1800 Osaka
Shamisen and Narorators
puppet masters
Bunraku Stage
Long with waist high cover
to the right mini stage
stage rotates
the shamisen and narorator sit on mini stage
Kouta
mid 1800’s
perfored by geisha in Tokyo
short song 1-3 minutes
poetic text with many images
accompanied by small shamisen
heterphonic voice and shamisen
Gagaku
Elegant music of the Imperial court
Ensemble of Wind String Percussion
Minyo
Folk songs
popular in pre-industrial japan
sung while working
easy songs anyone can sing
Ornamental vocals (trills) by professionals
Nasle voice
Simple lyrics and melody
Enka Begining
1880’s Meji Era
Influx of western ideas
Speach songs Political songs
Enka 1900 properties
music is sparse
voice is more like speaking
often heterphonic
shamisen accompniement
Enka 1918
Becomes less political
includes western instruments (viiolin)
heterophonic
pentatonic
Enka 1931
Enka no longer used now called Ryukoka
Added Guitar
melodies pentatonic
western chordal accompaniment
Moonlight Beach
Enka 1952
Modern Enka
Western Orchestral accompaniment (harmony)
vocals (melody) is pentatonic
Last train with a red lamp
1955 Ipponsugi Farewell (first real enka song)
Word Enka used again
Text about lost love
People’s Right’s Movement
pro-democratic movement
forbiden to talk about politics
turned to singing (Enka)
Shakuhachi
5 hole Bamboo flute
Komusou, Buddhist priest played to find enlightenment
use timbre alter sounds
only basic written notation mostly aditory tradition
fluttering, flats, sharps, explosions of breath, vibrato
Koto
13 strings with moveable bridges
instrument for elite classes but was popularised in Meji period
Shamisen
wooden box with catskin covered sides
long neck like guitar
3 strings played useding a plectrum
different sizes, varries for purpose and music
Noh
14th centery
classical musical drama
male actors only
singing is chant-like
male chorus of 6-8
Matsuri Bayashi
Festival Music
community festivals often associated with shinto shrine
musical groups play as an offering
sometimes seated
sometimes parade with mikoshi (portable shrine)
instraments are mostly drums bamboo flutes and hand held bell gong
Comedy Noh
Kyogen
1600-1800 Osaka
Shamisen and Narorators
puppet masters
Bunraku
mid 1800’s
perfored by geisha in Tokyo
short song 1-3 minutes
poetic text with many images
accompanied by small shamisen
heterphonic voice and shamisen
Kouta
Elegant music of the Imperial court
Ensemble of Wind String Percussion
Gagaku
Folk songs
popular in pre-industrial japan
sung while working
easy songs anyone can sing
Ornamental vocals (trills) by professionals
Nasle voice
Simple lyrics and melody
Minyo
5 hole Bamboo flute
Komusou, Buddhist priest played to find enlightenment
use timbre alter sounds
only basic written notation mostly aditory tradition
fluttering, flats, sharps, explosions of breath, vibrato
Shakuhachi
13 strings with moveable bridges
instrument for elite classes but was popularised in Meji period
Koto
wooden box with catskin covered sides
long neck like guitar
3 strings played useding a plectrum
different sizes, varries for purpose and music
Shamisen
Festival Music
community festivals often associated with shinto shrine
musical groups play as an offering
sometimes seated
sometimes parade with mikoshi (portable shrine)
instraments are mostly drums bamboo flutes and hand held bell gong
Matsuri Bayashi
