Japanese Traditional Music: Brief History

There are several types of traditional, Japanese music (hogaku). Some of the most important ones are listed below:

• Gagaku:

Ancient court music from China and Korea. It is the oldest type of Japanese, traditional music.

• Biwagaku:

Music played with the instrument Biwa, a kind of guitar with four strings.

• Nogaku:

Music played during No performances. It basically consists of a chorus, the Hayashi flute, the Tsuzumi drum, and other instruments.

• Sokyoku:

Music played with the instrument Koto. Later also accompanied by Shamisen and Shakuhachi. The Koto is a zither with 13 strings.

• Shakuhachi:

Music played with the instrument Shakuhachi, a about 55 cm long flute. The name of the flute is its lenght expressed in the old Japanese length units.

• Shamisenongaku:

Music played with the instrument Shamisen, a kind of guitar with only three strings. Kabuki and Bunraku performances are accompanied by the shamisen.

• Minyo:

Japanese folk songs.