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Did you know that some Japanese musical instruments are made of metal? You may have a strong image that Japanese musical instruments are made of bamboo, wood, but some of them are made of metal. In this article, we will explain about the shoko, a metal instrument that is rare for a Japanese musical instrument. The shoko is a deep-dish-shaped…
Have you ever heard of a man called “Ikkyu-san? Some of you may know him from Japanese TV cartoons, where he is famous for his a pretty wit. The model for Ikkyu-san was a Muromachi period (1336-1573) monk by the name of Soujun Ikkyu. (From here on, I will refer to him as Ikkyu Zenji (master of Zen Buddhism).) Why…
It is said that the koto (Sou-no-Koto:13-string zither commonly known in Japan today) originated in China. In fact, it is said that there is an interesting anecdote about the koto(Sou-no-Koto) in China. I would like to introduce this anecdote to you this time. In China during the Qin Dynasty, there was a master of a 25-stringed instrument similar to the…
The shakuhachi is a very simple looking Japanese musical instrument. To put it in an extremely simple way, it can be described as “a vertical flute made by drilling five holes in a tube. Today, let us learn a little about the material of the shakuhachi. Shakuhachi are made of various materials. Starting with the most famous one, bamboo (the…
What do you look at when you want to practice a song on your instrument? I think most people practice by looking at music notation, including “stave notation”. By transcribing a piece of music and keeping it in notation, you can play it over and over again, even if it was written in the past. In Japan, however, there was…
Have you ever heard of the harp? The harp is also called the “queen of musical instruments” for its graceful appearance and beautiful tone. In Japan, such a harp is also called a “竪琴（tategoto）. What is interesting here is the character for “琴（koto）. In Japan, there is a 13-stringed zither called “Koto (Sou no Koto)” which is commonly known today,…
Have you ever seen a shinobue? Shinobue” is a Japanese musical instrument, a type of transverse flute, similar to the concert flute, a Western instrument. In this article, we will learn about the “shinobue” while comparing it to the concert flute. First, comparing the appearance, the metal concert flute and the bamboo shinobue look quite different. Another major difference is…
Okinawan folk music is one of Japan’s musical forms, rich in historical and cultural context. In particular, the Okinawan shamisen, a three-stringed instrument, is frequently used, and its unique style of playing and singing captures the hearts of many. In this blog, we focus on the ‘human voice’ in Okinawan folk music, exploring its characteristics and significance. ◇Characteristics of vocalization…
Have you ever heard of a Japanese musical instrument named “biwa”? The biwa is a wooden instrument with an oval, flat body and usually four strings. The biwa is a musical instrument played by plucking with a plectrum, and is especially characterized by the arpeggio technique in which multiple strings are sounded. The most commonly used technique is called kakibachi,…
The unique tonality of traditional Japanese instruments is best accentuated when played in a traditional Japanese tatami room. The tatami mat setting softens sound reflections, creating an enveloping soundscape. However, setting up a tatami room outside of Japan comes with its own set of challenges. Here, we’ll outline the key points to consider when establishing a tatami space abroad for…
