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Fabregas, Elaicy B.
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WEEK 6 – ACTIVITY: MUSIC OF JAPAN

Watch the video:

Japanese Gagaku Ensemble on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OA8HFUNfIk

What exactly is the Gagaku Ensemble?

Describe the instruments that the Gagaku Ensemble employs.

Gagaku (雅楽, "elegant music") is the oldest form of traditional Japanese

music, which combines songs, dances, and other Asian styles. It used the "yo" scale, a

pentatonic scale with ascending intervals of two, three, two, two, and three

semitones between the five scale tones.  The dance is accompanied by a Kangen

ensemble (wind and strings). The main instruments are yokobue (a flute blown from

the side), sho (a type of panpipe), hichiriki (an oboe-like pipe), biwa (a short-necked

lute), so (a plucked zither), and taiko (a drum).

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Classify and describe the characteristics of the Japanese traditional instruments using
the Hornbostel-Sachs Classification of Instruments.
IDIOPHONE AEROPHONE
Sho- It is a free reed
musical instrument. It
consists of 17 slender
bamboo pipes, it is
sometimes said to
resemble a resting
phoenix because of its
shape.
Shakuhachi- It is an
end-blown notched
flute with five finger
holes
Hichiriki- a double-
reed wind instrument,
similar to the oboe. The
present Japanese form
is about 18 cm (7
inches) long and has
seven finger holes on
the front of the
instrument and two
thumb holes on the
back.
LINK:
https://sonica.jp/instruments/en/product/sho/
https://study.com/learn/lesson/shakuhachi-flute-music-history-what-is-a-japanese-shakuhachi-flute.html
https://www.britannica.com/art/hichiriki
https://www.britannica.com/art/koto
https://www.britannica.com/art/samisen
https://www.britannica.com/art/biwa
http://anyonemusic.blogspot.com/2008/03/japanese-musical-instruments.html
CHORDOPHONE
Koto- It is a long
Japanese board zither
with 13 silk strings and
movable bridges. The
body of the instrument
is made of paulownia
wood and is about 190
cm (74 inches) long.
Shamisen- a long-
necked fretless
Japanese lute. The
instrument has a small
square body with a
catskin front and back,
three twisted-silk
strings, and a curved-
back pegbox with side
pegs.
Biwa- a short-necked
lute, distinguished by
its graceful, pear-
shaped body. The biwa
has a shallow, rounded
back and silk strings
(usually four or five)
attached to slender
lateral pegs.
MEMBRANOPHONE
Da-daiko- a pair of large
barrel drums (around two
meters in diameter) that
are used for Gagaku
(Japanese court music)
and religious ceremonies.
Kakko- a double-headed
drum. Kakko drums are
usually laid on their sides
on stands so that it can be
played with sticks called
bachi on both heads.
Shoko- It is a middle dish-
shaped instrument of
gagaku’s gong which
made of hard metal, struck
and hung with two round-
headed wood horn stick
beaters from a wood
stand.
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DIRECTION: Analyze the indicated music composition according to the elements of music (rhythm, melody,
and form), and be specific in identifying the supporting ideas and evidences in each element. Each element
should contain at least two evidences and at most of four sentences only.

Title of the Song: Sakura

A. Musical Elements

RHYTHM (key concepts: beat, tempo, time signature, rhythmic notation)

The time signature of the song is 4/4. There are four beats per measure and the quarter note is the one
that receives one beat. The song is consisting a half note, quarter note, and eighth note.

MELODY (key concepts: key signature (minor/major), pentatonic scale, diatonic scale,
chromatic, mood)
The song is in the key of c minor. There are no flats and sharps and the last note is mi. The scale of the
music is pentatonic because it has five notes (A, B, C, E, F).

HARMONY (key concepts: texture, monophony, homophony, polyphony)

It has a monophonic texture. Based on the music sheet, it has only one melodic line, with no harmony or
counterpoint.

FORM (key concepts: unitary, binary, ternary, rondo)

The song is in binary form. It is composed of two dissimilar/contrasting sections. It has an “AB” pattern.
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B. Cultural Background of the Song

What influence does tradition and history have in the song?

The cherry blossom (桜, sakura) is Japan's unofficial national flower. In Japanese culture,

it has been celebrated for many centuries. There are dozens of cherry tree varieties in

Japan, but most bloom only for a few days each spring. In honor of the seasonal

spectacle, hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties are held under the trees.

What message and values were the music trying to convey?

"Sakura Sakura", also known as "Sakura", is a traditional Japanese folk song

depicting spring, the season of cherry blossoms.This song depicts the seasons changing

(when spring arrives). Japan is often represented by this song in international settings. In

Japan, cherry blossoms, or Sakura, represent a time of renewal and optimism. A pop of

pink marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

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Hamabe No Uta

DIRECTION: Analyze the indicated music composition according to the elements of music (rhythm, melody,
and form), and be specific in identifying the supporting ideas and evidences in each element. Each element
should contain at least two evidences and at most of four sentences only.

Title of the Song: Hamabe No Uta

A. Musical Elements

RHYTHM (key concepts: beat, tempo, time signature, rhythmic notation)

The time signature of the song is 6/8. There are 6 beats in each measure and an eighth note receives one
count. The tempo of the song is andante because it is moderately slow.

MELODY (key concepts: key signature (minor/major), pentatonic scale, diatonic scale,
chromatic, mood)

The key signature of the song is F major. There is one flat and the last note is F. The song has a
pentatonic scale because it has 5 notes (C, F, G, A, D).

HARMONY (key concepts: texture, monophony, homophony, polyphony)

It has a monophonic texture. Based on the music sheet, it has only one melodic line, with no harmony or
counterpoint.

FORM (key concepts: unitary, binary, ternary, rondo)

The song is in strophic form. It has an “AABA” pattern.

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B. Cultural Background of the Song

What influence does tradition and history have in the song?

This traditional song has been sung in Japan for over 70 years. The lyrics of the
song describe the peacefulness of nature. Japan has a very beautiful nature and clean
environment. It is a well-rooted Japanese tradition to love nature unconditionally, take
care of nature continuously, and pass this genuine affection to future generations
responsibly. I think that the composer of this song is inspired to the beauty of their
nature.

What message and values were the music trying to convey?

Hamabe No Uta translates to "Song of the Seashore" in English. It is a song about

song
memory and reflection. A line in the song tells;

A gust of wind causes the waves to rise

The hem of my red kimono is soaking wet
I once was sick, getting back on my feet
Here I stand ashore like a fine grain of sand

From this, we can learn the importance of staying positive and not giving up. No matter
how many terrible things happen, we must get back on our feet and stand ashore like a
fine grain of sand.
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Enjoy watching “Kabuki Play” on https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=V9QHX0LTL0w

How would you describe Kabuki Play in the video?

In Kabuki, music, dance, and mime are all combined. It is performed in a stylized

manner. It is also an art form rich in showmanship. It involves elaborately

designed costumes, eye-catching make-up, outlandish wigs, and arguably most

importantly, the exaggerated actions performed by the actors.

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Based on your reading “Japanese Music” on

https://www.britannica.com/art/Japanese-music/Predominant-musical-traits
Describe the Nara Period, Tang Dynasty and Heian Period .

Music was very active in Japan during the Nara period. Court

orchestra music is commonly referred to as gagaku, which is simply a

Japanese pronunciation of yayue and a’ak, both of which refer to ritual

music. The court music of Japan received an increasing variety of styles as it

absorbed more and more of the outside world, similar to the music of China

during the Tang dynasty. The music of Tang dynasty heavily influenced the

musical style of early gagaku which was called tōgaku. Heian period (794–

1185) also contains images of Japanese musical life. Chinese- and Indian-

inspired pieces were present in the so-called music of the left known as

tōgaku. All Korean and Manchurian examples were contained in the music of

the right, called komagaku. The terms left and right originated from the

Confucian-based administration system of the new capital, which divided

everything into such categories.