The Most Ancient Form of 3. "Utamono" (vocal, or recitative pieces) • vocal music composed under the influence of Japanese music continental Asian music during the Heian Period (794-1192), and is sung with the Background - Lyrics & Notes • Literally means elegant music • refers to classical music • Mostly performed at the Imperial court, in aristocratic society, and at important shrines and temples. • Have many styles and genres but all of them have a tradition of over a thousand years, and are precious because of their historical value as the oldest form of musical culture in existence today. Kagura/Saibara Ryojin--Sho • It is now used in Japan as the generic name for the (An annotated edition of Kagura & Saibara) most ancient form of Japanese music.

A. Classification of Gagaku by the origins

Gagaku is divided into three categories, according to the origins and locations of each style .

1. "Kuniburi-no-UtaMai" (native-style songs and dances) • songs developed into their present form in the 10th century based on the primitive songs of ancient Japan such as: Front Cover of Kagura - Kagura-Uta - Azuma-Asobi - Yamato-Uta - Kume-Uta • They have also been influenced by the music and dances of Continental Asia.

2. "Gakumai" of Continental Origin ( continental music and dances) • styles of instrumental music and dances, which were introduced to Japan, are based on those of China, Korea and other countries of Asia. • Classified according to their origin into music and dances of the "Left-School" and "Right- School", which differ from each other in the arrangement of the instruments. Notes for Sho (above) - Left School : music and dances are based Notes for Hichiriki (below) on those originating in China, Central Asia and India, and are known as Togaku (Chinese music) . accompaniment of Chinese instruments. • - Right School : music and dances are based vocal part of the music is comprised of Saibara on those originating in Korea and whose lyrics come from Japanese folk songs Manchuria (northern China), and are and Roei (recitation) whose words come from known as Komagaku (Korean music) . Chinese poems.  Karyo-bin" - This piece is called as "Bird" B. Classification of Gagaku by the for short and also known as " Karyo-binga " or performance forms "Fugenraku ." Once upon a time in old India, "Karyo-binga ", a beautiful bird living in paradise, flew to the Gion-Shoja Temple Gagaku is divided into three forms according to the Ceremony and danced while singing. " Myo- manner in which they are performed . The forms are on-Tennyo ", goddess of performing art, Kangen (wind and strings), Bugaku (dance and choreographed the bird dance and taught music), and Kayo (songs and recitations). one of Buddha's disciples, "Anan-Sonja". It is said that this piece was brought to 1. "Kangen" (wind and strings) Japan by Brahmanic monks as one of • performed only with instruments: "Rinyu-Hachigaku" (eight Bugaku pieces - three kinds of wind instruments such as the from old Vietnam). Dancers put Sho, Hichiriki and Ryuteki beautiful wings on their backs, tiras with - two kinds of string instruments such as the flowers on their heads and dance and flit and the So about, ringing "Dou-byo-shi" with their - three kinds of percussion instruments such hands. as the Kakko, and Shoko . • wind instruments play the main part of the b) U-no-Mai is generally accompanied by a music: Komagaku - Hichiriki -plays the theme  The Right-School dances, costumes of - Ryuteki plays the same, but more green or similar colors are used. ornamentally  Wind and percussion instruments play - Sho plays the chords the accompaniment, and string • The string and percussion instruments are instruments are never used . The dancers used mostly for rhythm. dance to the rhythm of the percussion • instruments. In this form of performance, the instruments are played slowly and delicately, contrary to the next form, Bugaku , where they are played vigorously.

2. "Bugaku" ( dance and music) • Dances are performed with musical accompaniment • dances are divided into three types: a) Sa-no-Mai is accompanied by a Togaku  The Left-School dances, costumes of red or similar colors are used.

 Wind and percussion instruments play the accompaniment, and as a rule, string U-no-Mai (Right School dance) instruments are not used.  The dancers dance to the rhythm of the  "Kocho" - was composed in Japan, 906. It percussion instruments. designs the movement of happily

flittering butterflies in "Ko", an old country situated at the east of China. Dancers put on beautiful butterfly wings on their back, tiaras with Yamabuki, Japanese rose whick looks like a globeflower, and hold a branch of Yamabuki in their hand

c) Kuniburi-no-Mai (native-style) is accompanied by songs.  are elegant and dignified, though the costumes and dances are plain and Sa-no-Mai (Left School dance) simple.

 Both Japanese and foreign instruments e. Kagura-bue - is an indigenous Japanese accompany the songs. instrument. It is also a flute with six finger holes, but is the longest of those mentioned above. It has 3. "Kayo" (song and recitations) a soft tone. • uses Kuniburi-no-Uta, Saibara and Roei • Foreign instruments such as the Hichiriki, Ryuteki , and are used and Japanese instruments such as the Wagon and all accompany the Kuniburi -no -Uta (native- style songs). • Kuniburi-no-Uta are sung in an unhurried and graceful manner to the beating of a Shaku- Byoshi . • Saibara is a form of singing accompanied by

three wind and two string instruments . The songs are popular Japanese folk songs and are sung rhythmically to the beating of a Shaku- Sho Hichiriki Byoshi . • Roei (recitation), the accompaniment is played by only three wind instruments , and elegant Chinese poems are recited using Japanese Ryuteki pronunciation without rhythm. In all these forms of Kayo (vocal music), the songs are sung solo at the beginning of the stanza and thereafter in unison by all members of the Komabue chorus. The wind instruments are played only by the principal players. In Kayo a Sho is used to keep time for the singers, while it plays chords when used for Kangen and Bugaku . Kagurabue

INSTRUMENTS String Instruments

Wind Instruments a. Sho - a reed-free mouth organ. The shape is made from 17 pieces of bamboo, which are inlaid into a small jar. This instrument is used mainly to perform cords. b. Hichiriki - is an -like instrument. A reed pipe is inserted into a short piece of bamboo and is Biwa designed to make a vigorous sound. c. Ryuteki - is a flute like instrument that has seven finger holes used mainly in Togaku music. The So sound it makes is said to be similar to the voice of a crying dragon. The tones of a ryuteki possess a refreshing quality. Wagon d. Koma-bue - is a flute with six finger holes. It is shorter in length than a ryuteki and its tone is more delicate. a. Biwa - is a Japanese lute. The type of Biwa used for Gagaku performances is known as a Gaku- Biwa and is the largest type of Biwa. It is given this name to distinguish it from other smaller Biwa used for storytelling. It has four strings and is used as a rhythm instrument. b. So - is a Japanese harp used for Gagaku a performance is known as a Gaku-So , even though it is basically the same as an ordinary So . It has thirteen strings made from silk and is used as a San-no- rhythm instrument. Kakko c. Wagon - is a six-stringed flat zither with moveable bridges, it is indigenous to Japan. It is played with a small tortoiseshell plectrum or kotosagi . It is generally used in all indigenous music and dance forms with the exception of Yamatomai

Percussion Instruments Schaku- a. Kakko - is a small barreled drum with two vertical drum heads on either side. It is struck with Byoshi two drumsticks. The Kakko leads the ensemble Shoko and plays the role of the conductor. Tsuri-daiko b. San-no-ko - is a small double-headed drum. It is

struck by one drumstick ( bachi ) on the right side.

c. Tsuri-daiko - is a large drum also known as a Gaku-daiko . It is hung on a wooden frame with legs and is played by two plectrums on only one side.

d. Shoko - is a small brass gong suspended in a wooden framed stand. It is struck on the inside of the gong by two sticks. e. Schaku-Byoshi - are tow flat pieces of wood that are struck together and used as a percussion instrument

3RD TRIM HANDOUT1