01. Traditional Japanese Musical Instruments

Traditional Japanese musical instruments, known as wagakki (和楽器) in Japanese, are musical instruments used in the traditional folk music of Japan. They comprise a range of string, wind, and percussion instruments (from WIkipedia, the free encyclopedia).

 

Photo: Shakuhachi, Sanshin, Tsugaru-Shamisen (Tsugaru-Jamisen) – from left to right

 

---

Although traditional Japanese musical instruments, wagakki’s in short, are mainly used for Traditional Japanese Music, the application is not limited. They are used in Jazz, Rock, J-Pop, and other genres of music these days.

 

---

 

String

 

• • Plucked
    • • Zither – Koto, etc.)
      • Harps – Kuto (6th century), Taisho-Koto
      • Lutes – Biwa
      • Sanshin (16th century) – Lessons available
        
      • Shamisen (16th century) – Lessons available
      • Other – Gottan, Tonkori
  • Bowed – Kokyu

 

 

Flute (Hue)

 

• • Shakuhachi (16th century) – Lessons available
  • Other – (8 or more kinds)

 

 

Percussion

 

• • Taiko (big drum, 6th century)
  • (20 or more kinds)

 

 

Reed

 

• • Hichiriki (double-reeded flute)
  • Sho, U (free-reed mouth organ)

 

 

Horns – Horagai (seashell horn)