The Japanese sho is an aerophone that was introduced in the 19th century and is mainly constructed out of wood and metal. Its unique building elements play the biggest role for shaping its particular timbre, which is noticed quite easily when placed within a group setting. The sho typically consists of 15 reeds and 17 slender bamboo pipes, which are connected to the metal reeds to produce a warm and resonant timbre when played (. This specific instrument is well-known in Japan for making an appearance in gagaku (ancient Japanese imperial court music and dances). My main research objective is to explore the origins of the sho, the different materials used in its construction, and the reasoning behind the instrument’s placements in different …show more content…
It originated from the Chinese sheng, which is remarkably similar because of their looks. The key differences between the Chinese sheng and the Japanese sho, is that the sheng is significantly larger in size, typically made from a gourd and has a much more clear and metallic timbre associated to it. The sho on the other hand, is smaller, less clear and less sharp sounding and is used for its ability to play harmonic tone clusters. One of the major differences between the sheng and the sho is that the sheng has the flexibility in sound to serve as both the accompaniment to a piece as well as serve the melody, which the sho does not have the capabilities to. Gagaku originated in 703 AD and came about during the Heian Period (794-1185). Since then, it has been continued being practiced traditionally, sticking to the roots of only being performed for formal celebrations, moral or religious purposes primarily in the setting of a court. In a gagaku ensemble, performers consist of all males, even the dancers. Performers use instruments that have an ancient design such as, the sho, hichiriki (double reed flute), shoko (bronze gong), koto and biwa (lutes). These select musicians are not led by a normal conductor, but rather someone known as the concert master who guides the performers by playing a small sideways drum known as a …show more content…
This is why I have selected a piece called, “Kuniburi no Utamai” that features the sho in the context of a gagaku ensemble. Throughout this selection you can hear that it encompasses a taste of ancient Japanese songs with their traditional instruments incorporated in. These instruments serve the foundation for the sound of typical gagaku music, by having an ancient and mystical timbre to it. The tempo of the piece is very slow and controlled and is considered to be free rhythm. The free rhythm aspect is due to long extended notes that are played and led by the fast drum patterns of the concert master. The overall texture is quite bright due to the high pitched mouth organs that are paired with the sho’s extended notes. The sho’s purpose in this piece is mainly to be used as a supporting harmonic structure to the piece and serves its purpose through using multiple drones. The main reason is provided by the function of tone clusters. It uses these tone clusters to support the full orchestration and provide a solid harmonic foundation to the piece. The sho’s timbre would be considered warm because of the diversity of pitches it has available and its ability to blend accordingly to its supporting instruments. It tends to be the foundation of the overall ensemble, which is crucial because it is what everything else is centered
Kabuki theatre has a very long and rich history. It began in the 1600s, around the same time that the American colonies were being founded. A Japanese shrine maiden, Okuni, is credited with creating Kabuki theatre. In its earliest form, Kabuki consisted of large ensemble dances performed by women. Many of these women were prostitutes off stage. Due to the fame and fan base that these prostitutes acquired because of Kabuki, the government in this time banned women from performing onstage. This was done in an effort to protect the public’s morality against what was seen as a form of lewd entertainment (Kabuki History, 1996). After women, the main characters in Kabuki programs, were banned from performing on the stage, men stepped in to continue the Kabuki productions. This change in characters brought about a very important shift in Kabuki. No longer was the focus on beauty and dance. What became important was the skill of the actors, and the drama that they portrayed. This put Kabuki on the road to becoming a dramatic art form, rather than a show of dancing with beautiful women. At the same time, there was a renaissance happening in Japan, which promoted and encouraged arts and culture. This is known as the Genroku period.
Percussion instruments are by far the most dominant of the four major instrument families. There are many different types of cymbals and drums, which are ...
"Explain the meanings and discuss the concepts and origins of Samurai and Bushido code, then relate these concepts towards the modern Japanese Soldier and Leader during World War 2 and show evidence to support that the Japanese soldier treated enemy prisoners exploiting Samurai and Bushido traditions."
Shogun "Shogun" is a book written by a famous writer James Clavell telling us about the way of life, customs and traditions existing in feudal Japan in the sixteenth century and about life and adventures of one shipwrecked English ship pilot who suddenly finds himself in medieval Japan with its rival war-lords, samurai, seppuku, geishas and other things and notions looking strange and even wild for a European man. The book's main characters are John Blackthorne, an English ship pilot of the Dutch ship "Erasmus"; a beautiful lady Toda Buntaro Mariko who falls in love with him; the most important Japanese feudal lord and warlord Yoshi Toranaga, the leader of half the country aiming at becoming Shogun (a supreme military dictator); and his rival Ishido. The novel begins with the description of the violent storm that caught a Dutch ship "Erasmus" not far from the coast of Japan.
Throughout the history of Japanese culture, there are many unique and refined art forms that have survived over many centuries. One of the oldest and most famous examples is the ancient Japanese court dance of Bugaku. Originated in 7th century Japan, Bugaku, along with the Gagaku, the classical Japanese court music, has carved its place into history as one of the longest surviving traditional performance pieces. It’s perseverance serves as a symbol of the importance of music and art in a countries lineage. From its introduction into Japanese society, to the contemporary evolution of art from the East, Bugaku and Gagaku continue to stand as pillar of historical and artistic relevance.
From reading Timothy Rice’s book, I have many new outlooks on how my group project should be approached. It is important for all of the members of the group to keep an open mind to the various cultures that music can come from and how it is best to convey and give credit to their origins. This will be especially important with the Henebry wax cylinders as we must keep in mind what time frame they were created in, their purpose during their time of use, and also to give credit to those who allowed us to view them. It will also be important for us to promote the wax cylinders in an appropriate manner which will be accepted by those who have connections with the wax cylinders in UCC, aswell as those who preserve them.
In ancient Japan during the Heian Era, which lasted from 794-1185, the government began to lose control of the empire and the clans were all fighting with each other for power and land. To retain some authority, the emperor hired Samurai. While Samurai are most commonly known as warriors, they were originally hired to be tax collectors for the emperor. When the fighting between clans got worse, “For protection, large landowners hired armies of samurai, or trained professional warriors” (Ramirez, Stearns, Wineburg 517). The Samurai lived by a set of rules known as the Bushido code. The Samurai, who were highly respected because they were warriors, also lived a structured life, as the Bushido code was very strict. Although the Bushido Code was
Gagaku is the so-called Japanese folk music. It is form by the influences of the Buddhism brought from the country of China through Diplomatic relations between both of the countries. Back in the year 589, the Japanese has sent their diplomatic officer to China to learn about their culture which include the Chinese court music. Gakuso which is a type of zither and gakubiwa a lute are one of the examples of instruments that had been brought all the way from China to Japan. These two instruments are also one of the earliest instruments that had been use in Gagaku. Japanese use the same term as in Chinese, in music form that imported from China was a primarily banquet music (Engaku) rather than the ceremonial music of Chinese (Yayue). Gagaku, song earlier than Dynasty Tang were called Kogaku(ancient music), after the Dynasty Tang are called Shingaku(new music). Gagaku song was played by musicians that belonged to the aristocracy guilds. During the Kamakura period, the Gagaku was always
The term samurai was first used in the 10th century and means “those who serve”. In the beginning it stood for men who guarded the capital for the Emperor, some where used as tax collectors. Later the word grew to include any military man who served a powerful landlord, almost like a police force for that time. They would go around the countryside on horseback collecting taxes from the peasants, often this was in the form of rice. This money helped the Emperor pay for his lavish life style. The word, samurai, quickly spread and was respected (and maybe feared a little) for the men it represented.
The Great Wave or Under the Wave off Kanagawa is one of the most well known pieces of Japanese Art. It was created by Katsushika Hokusai between 1830-1832 during the Edo period. The Great Wave is a polychrome woodblock print measuring 10 ⅛ x 14 15/16 inches. In this critique, we will analyze Hokusai’s processes and use of design for The Great Wave.
The Tokugawa period, also known as Edo period (1603-1867), was the final period of traditional Japan that lasted for more than 250 years (britannica.com,2013). The period was a time of internal peace, political stability, and economic growth under the Shogunate founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Tokugawa Shoguns maintained strict control over the structure of society by keeping a firm control over what they were allowed to do and what they were not allowed to do.
Japan is a country that has a great impact on the world from many perspectives. Not only because of their strong economy and great technology, their culture also gives people extraordinary impressions. Japanese music as an indispensable part of Japanese culture, it is also being popular in different continents. However, “Japanese Music” is a broad topic and there are far more things we need to study and observe to completely understand beside to listen the music itself. Although Japanese music is a big topic, it can specify to different Japanese Music style or genre. In my opinion, Japanese music between religion worship and entertainment are highly linked together. Comparing the Japanese court music “Gagaku” and the Japanese folk music of religion “Shinto” Can show many similarities between these two as well as some differences.
Kabuki started out as a style of dance in the early sixteenth century, also known as the Edo period. Kabuki is an exclusive type of theater in which only males can act on stage. For over 400 years, women have only been allowed in the audience and not on stage. But ironically, a woman named Izumo Okuni along with her female troupe originally created the theatre. Okuni, who may have come from the shrine of Izumo, set up a temporary stage in Kyoto around 1603 where she and her troupe acted out slightly suggestive dances and skits (www.artelino.com).
Throughout the semester, various styles of music and the aspects of culture associated with these styles have been analyzed. Musical elements such as dynamics, texture, form, timbre, melody, instruments, etc., have been used to thoroughly explore each kind of music from different areas of the world, with an emphasis in music from Africa, India and Indonesia. These aspects of music go far beyond just music itself. Culture also plays a huge role in music and the accompanying musical elements. Each country and culture has a different style and distinctiveness that add to what makes the music of that certain culture unique. Music in Africa may differ dramatically from music in Indonesia or India not only due to those certain elements but also due to how it is interpreted by people and what it represents for those people. In addition to this, what one may consider music in one culture may not be music to another. These differences have been made apparent in the several demonstrations that we have been exposed to in class.
Music has shaped the lives of people throughout history. Even in its earliest forms, music has included use of instruments. One of the oldest musical instruments known is a variation of the flute; the original flute is thought to date back nearly 67,000 years ago. Tonight we are going to move throughout the eras with a history of instrumental music. This concert will begin with the Renaissance Era and continue through time until we have reached modern instrumental music.