If you have picked up a Japanese musical instrument, you may want to play well-known Japanese songs. There are many well-known Japanese songs, but we will introduce songs that are perfect for Japanese instruments from various genres. “Sakura Sakura” “Sakura Sakura” is a traditional Japanese song that sings the beauty of cherry blossoms. In fact, it was created as a…
When you think of “koto” Japanese musical instruments, what kind of instruments come to mind? Actually, there are several types of “koto” instruments. The first is the wagon, an ancient Japanese koto. The second is the Chinese 7-stringed zither, which was called “kin no koto”. The third is the 13-stringed instrument commonly known in Japan today as the “Sou no…
When you visit Japan, a tapestry of historical culture and traditions unfolds before you. What particularly captivated me was the souvenirs related to traditional Japanese musical instruments. I’ve picked out a few such items commonly found in tourist spots to introduce. ・Taiko Drum Keychains The sounds of the taiko drums, often heard during summer festivals or temple ceremonies, are unforgettable.…
The Tsugaru shamisen is a type of shamisen, a traditional Japanese musical instrument that originated in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture. The shamisen is a three-stringed instrument played with a plectrum called a “bachi,” and the way the Tsugaru shamisen is played is particularly unique. The Tsugaru shamisen produces a powerful and loud sound through a variety of techniques,…
What kind of instrument do you think of when you hear the word “wadaiko”? In this article, we will explain the wadaiko, an instrument that is quite familiar to Japanese people. There are many different types of wadaiko, but the one that comes to mind most readily is the Nagado-daiko. Nagato-daiko, also called miya-daiko, are used in ceremonies and festivals…
Have you ever heard of a warlord named “Nobunaga Oda”? Nobunaga Oda is so famous in Japan that there is no one who does not know him, but it is said that he also had a favorite Japanese musical instrument. It is said that he was fond of a kind of shakuhachi called “Hitoyogiri. The hitoyogiri, named ” Nokaze,” was…
What is the song that got you interested in the sanshin? In this issue, we would like to introduce some well-known recent songs in which the sanshin is used. 1. Shimanchu nu takara This song is a representative song of “BEGIN,” a band from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa. Released in 2002, the song celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. The song…
Have you ever seen a shamisen? (Or even a picture!) Most of you who have reached this article have seen a shamisen at least once. Don’t you think the shamisen is a little bit like the guitar? In this article, we will look at a few of the same and different parts of the guitar and the shamisen. First, the…
What do you think of when you think of sheet music? For those of you who play musical instruments on a regular basis, you are probably familiar with staff notation and tablature. In fact, there is a special type of music notation for the sanshin called “kunkunshi. Unlike stave or tablature, “kunkunshi” is a notation of the part of the…
Have you heard of Kabuki, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage? Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performing art consisting of drama, dance, and music. It is a kind of entertainment in which men generally play both male and female roles, and the makeup called “kumadori” is a distinctive feature. Kabuki music is performed live, not only the performance but also the…
