U N I T 3 : M u s i c o f Eas t A s i a: J ap an

UNIT 3: Music of East Asia: Japan

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Review 4

Lesson 1: Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Background of Japan 5 Learning Targets 5 Let’s Warm Up! 5 Learn about It! 6 Check Your Understanding 9 Challenge Yourself! 9 Let’s Jam! 10

Lesson 2: Traditional Instruments of Japan 11 Learning Targets 11 Let’s Warm Up! 11 Learn about It! 12 Check Your Understanding 16 Challenge Yourself! 16 Let’s Jam! 16

Lesson 3: Folk Songs and Ritual Music of Japan 17 Learning Targets 17 Let’s Warm Up! 17 Learn about It! 18 Check Your Understanding 20 Challenge Yourself! 20 Let’s Jam! 21

Lesson 4: JPOP 22

1 Copyright © 2018 Quipper Limited

Learning Targets 22 Let’s Warm Up! 22 Learn about It! 23 Check Your Understanding 26 Challenge Yourself! 27 Let’s Jam! 27

Did You Know? 27

Web Links 28

Performance Task 28

Self Check 29

Wrap Up 30

Bibliography 32

Glossary 33


GRADE 8

UNIT 3

Music of East Asia: Japan

Fig. 1. The cherry blossoms are one of Japan’s most famous attractions.

Photo from pixabay.com

Introduction A lot of people like to travel—whether it be around their city, to the province, around the country, or even abroad. One of the countries visited by most tourists is in Japan, known around the world as one of the most technologically advanced, peaceful, and beautiful countries. Some tourists flock to Japan to experience their culture, try their food, and to visit historical places and admire the great architecture.


However, one thing that is not known by a lot of people outside of Japan is their music. Like us, they have their own unique musical culture, one that has changed through the times and yet has remained distinctly Japanese. In this unit, we will learn about the music of Japan. We will first understand its geographical location and the livelihood of the people. We will also learn about some of their musical instruments and musical traditions like ritual and folk music. Lastly, we will learn about the newer Japanese music called JPOP.

Review

● The pentatonic scale is a musical scale composed of 5 notes.


Lesson 1: Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Background of Japan

Learning Targets In this lesson, you should be able to:

● describe the geographic location of Japan; ● identify the different sources of livelihood of the people; ● describe the philosophy used in the creation of Japanese art; and ● recall some key events in Japan’s music history.

Nature plays a huge role in the creation of art. Many songs, poems, paintings, and other forms of art are dedicated to nature or are created because of nature itself. In Japan, and many Asian countries, it is no different. What is the environment in Japan like and how does it influence the culture and history of Japan?

Let’s Warm Up! Below is a map of Asia.

1. Look for Japan and encircle the country. 2. Describe the physical location of Japan based on what you can observe on the map.

● Is it surrounded by land? Is it surrounded by water? ● What is the shape of the island?

3. Make some predictions based on your observations. What do you think are the people’s sources of livelihood? What do you think is the terrain of the country?


Learn about It! Japan is a country found in East Asia, on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean. It is made up of four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Tokyo, the national capital of Japan and one of the most populated cities in the world, is found in Honshu.

Fig 1. A blank map of Asia.

The country experiences four seasons (winter, spring, summer, autumn) aside from the usual wet and dry seasons of other tropical countries. Like us, they experience typhoons. About four-fifths of the country is covered in mountains and volcanoes with Mt. Fuji being the highest mountain in Japan, having a height of 12,388 feet. Japan is also one of the countries in


the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area in Asia wherein a lot of volcanic activity occurs. As a result, many violent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur and the country experiences about 1,000 tremors every year. The mountainous terrain means that there is little ground available for farming, but due to the wet climate of Japan, there is a constant supply of freshwater. The reliable amount of rain and natural irrigation through rivers makes farming through wet-rice cultivation possible. Rice is Japan’s principal crop, but wheat, barley, potatoes, tea, fruits, and vegetables are also farmed. Aside from farming, fishing is also a source of livelihood due to the country being surrounded by water. Nowadays, Japan is more known for technology and manufacturing.

Try It Yourself Read more information on the Ring of Fire. What other countries are found in this area? Identify these countries on a blank map by coloring them. Japanese Art Philosophy For the Japanese, time is the basic principle that governs the universe. Everything becomes and evolves because of time. Naru, which means “becoming,” is considered a natural law. The Japanese believe that art evolves through its flow, which includes the movement of painters creating a painting and musicians performing music. Another principle in Japanese music is called jo-ha-kyu. It is similar to the introduction, development, and conclusion in a sonata. It regulates the flow of time so that everything that happens in the music flows flawlessly between each other.


Lastly, ma is a principle in Japanese art that pertains to space. This space is not the physical space; instead, it is the sensory space or the space of time. In music, this is the silence between notes or phrases.

Try It Yourself Look up other examples of how naru, jo-ha-kyu, and ma are used in Japanese art. How do these other examples incorporate these principles? Write a paper to list down your observations. Excerpts From Japanese Music History Ancient Japanese culture was influenced by Chinese, Korean, and Mongolian migrants. In the Nara period (710-794), court music was performed by foreign musicians from China, Mongolia, and India. Buddhist ritual music was also well-known in this period. In the Heian period (794-1185), the Chinese influences were modified by the Japanese. Although the instruments were still Chinese, the musicians were Japanese. This music from this period also started to have unique Japanese characteristics. The Muromachi period (1333-1568) was the time when the shakuhachi bamboo flute started to be heard. In the Meiji period (1862-1912), Western influences started to penetrate Japanese culture. Brass band military music, patriotic songs, and nationalistic themes slowly replaced the traditional Japanese music.


Check Your Understanding Fill in the blanks with the correct answers.

1. Japan is a country found in ____________ Asia. 2. What are the four main islands that make up Japan? 3. The national capital of Japan is ________________. 4. Mount ____________ is the highest mountain in Japan. 5. For the Japanese, ________ is the basic principle that governs the universe. 6. ____________ means “becoming” and is considered a natural law. 7. Ancient Japanese culture was influenced by _________, __________, and __________

migrants. 8. In the __________ period, the Chinese influences were modified by the Japanese. 9. The bamboo flute known as the shakuhachi started to be heard in the _________ period. 10.Buddhist ritual music was well known in the ______________ period.

Challenge Yourself! Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is incorrect.

________ 1. Japan is found in Southeast Asia. ________ 2. Japan experiences only two seasons, wet and dry. ________ 3. Japan is found in the Pacific Ring of Fire. ________ 4. For the Japanese, everything evolves and becomes because of time. ________ 5. In the Nara period, Western influences started to penetrate Japanese culture.


Let’s Jam! Create a haiku about nature and recite it in front of the class. A haiku is a Japanese poem with three lines. The first and third lines have 5 syllables each, while the second has seven syllables.


Lesson 2: Traditional Instruments of Japan


● identify the different traditional instruments of Japan; and ● classify these into string, wind, and percussion instruments.

Instruments are organized according to the material they are made of, as well as according to the manner they are played. What are the different traditional musical instruments found in Japan, and how are they classified?

Let’s Warm Up!

1. Listen to a recording of a Western concert flute, then listen to a recording of a Japanese Shakuhachi.

2. Describe the difference between the timbres of the flutes. Which one has a brighter sound? Which has a warmer sound?

3. Look up pictures of both instruments and compare their physical appearances. 4. Based on your observations, can you say that material affects the tone color of an

instrument?


Learn about It! Japanese traditional music instruments are divided into three kinds: percussion, string, and wind instruments. String

● Shamisen — a three-string lute which originated from a Chinese instrument called “sangen.” It was developed during the Edo period (1603-1867). It consists of a rectangular wooden body, with an animal skin stretched over it, and a long wooden neck. The strings are made of silk. It is played kneeling, with the body resting on the right knee. It is stabilized by the right arm and is plucked using a plectrum (pick) called bachi.

Fig 2.1 shamisen

● Koto — consists of a wooden body with between 13 and 17 strings stretched across

the middle. It can be played using a pick, using the fingers, or using the fingernails. It is used for religious ceremonies and festivals to honor deities. It is also considered as Japan’s national instrument.

Fig 2.2 koto


● Biwa — a short-necked lute used to accompany puppet plays and is said to have arrived from China during the Nara period (710-794). Its body is water drop-shaped body and has 4 strings. It is held vertical and like the shamisen, and is plucked using a bachi. In addition to being used for court music (gagaku), it was also used by blind monks to accompany themselves when reciting scriptural texts.

Fig 2.2 biwa

Try It Yourself The body of the shamisen has animal skin stretched over it. What modern string instrument also has skin stretched over the body to help in sound resonance?


Wind

● Shakuhachi — an end-blown bamboo flute developed in the Muromachi period and traces its origins in China. It has 5 holes—four in the front and one in the back. Zen Buddhist monks play the shakuhachi as a spiritual tool.

Fig 2.3 shakuhachi

Percussion

● Wadaiko — these are also known as Taiko drums. The body is constructed from a single piece of wood from a Zelkova tree, and the drum heads are made from cowhide. It is played by striking the head with a wooden stick with varying levels of force. The sound produced is loud and powerful. The drums were said to be used during wars to command soldiers and raise morale.

Fig 2.4 taiko drum


● Kagura-suzu — a type of bell that is used in purification and invoking divine spirits.

Shrine maidens, known as Miko, ring these bells during Shinto rituals.

Fig 2.5 kagura-suzu

Try It Yourself Watch a video performance of a taiko drum ensemble performance in Youtube, titled “Kodo - “O-Daiko” - HD.” Pay close attention to the players. Are they all playing the same pattern or are they playing different patterns that complement each other?

Try it Yourself What are some techniques the performers used to change the dynamics of the sounds produced by the drums? Try to mimic the movements of the performers. Did you feel a difference in the forces you exerted?



1. Japanese musical instruments are divided into three kinds: _______, _______, and _______. 2. The _________ is a three-stringed lute from the Edo period. 3. Japanese string instruments are sometimes played using a plectrum called __________. 4. A Koto can have between ___________ and ___________ strings. 5. The __________ is considered as Japan’s national instrument. 6. The ___________ has a water drop-shaped body. 7. The ___________ is an end-blown flute from the Edo period. 8. Traditional Japanese drums are called Wadaiko or _______________. 9. Shrine maidens, known as Miko, ring bells called __________ in Shinto rituals. 10.The strings of the shamisen are made of ___________.

Challenge Yourself! Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is incorrect

________ 1. Japanese musical instruments are classified into string, brass, and wind. ________ 2. Some Japanese instruments actually have Chinese origins. ________ 3. Taiko drums were used in wars to command troops and raise morale. ________ 4. Shamisen, koto, and biwa are examples of string instruments. ________ 5. The shakuhachi is a nose flute.

Let’s Jam!

Activity 1: Watch a video performance of a shamisen player in Youtube, titled “Shamisen Performance.” Learn the shamisen parts and try to play the notes on a guitar or a piano.


Lesson 3: Folk Songs and Ritual Music of Japan


● discuss the different examples of folk and ritual music of Japan; ● describe how they are performed; and ● perform selected examples of Japanese folk and ritual music.

Do you listen to music while working? Did you know that in ancient Japanese culture, work is sometimes accompanied by singing songs?

Let’s Warm Up!

1. Listen to the Japanese folk song “Sakura.” 2. Learn the Japanese text and sing the song. 3. Look for an English translation of the text. What is the song about?


Learn about It! Japanese Folk Songs Japanese folk songs are called min’yo. There are four kinds of min’yo: work songs, religious songs (sato kagura), songs for weddings and funerals (matsuri), and children’s songs (warabe uta). Min’yo singers are typically accompanied by the shamisen, taiko, shakuhachi, and koto. Examples of Min’yo

● Kokiriko — a folk song sung by farmers. The kokiriko is actually an instrument that looks like a farming tool.

● Sakura — a song that was written about Japan’s national flower, the cherry blossoms. ● Edo Komoriuta — a lullaby. ● Kuroda Bushi — a song about a soldier who fought in the 16th-century wars. This song

is usually sung at feasts. Japanese Ritual Music Shinto is the indigenous Japanese religion. It has no founder and no sacred scriptures. Shinto is seen in the social lives of the Japanese people, including how they think and act, and not in a set pattern of beliefs. It is a polytheistic religion, which means believers worship multiple deities. This religion is celebrated through ritual dances and chants called Kagura (translates to “god music” or “shrine music”). These rituals are performed for shrine blessings and purification rites.


Mi-kagura (for imperial court shrines) ceremonies are divided into two: torimono (for praising and seeking the aid of spirits) and saibari (for entertaining the gods), which makes use of swords and masks. It is typically an all-male event, but female Shinto dancers called miko also exist in other shrines. There are three types of dances:

● Kagura — a male dance; ● Mikomai — a female shrine dance accompanied by a bell tree

called suzu; and ● Shirabyoshi — another female dance that uses a flute and an

hourglass-shaped drum called tsuzumi and is accompanied by a chant.

Sato-kagura (for small village shrines) and o-kagura (for large village shrines) music are repetitive instrumental background music with flute interludes and chanting. Compared to the Mi-kagura, the audience is more focused on celebration, and the music is more interactive.

Try It Yourself Watch this performance of a sato-kagura in Youtube, titled “Japanese New Year: Okame Odori of Sato-Kagura.” Make your own observations of the performance. What kind of movements are performed by the masked dancer? What instruments are used by the musicians at the back?



1. Japanese folk songs are called ___________. 2. Children’s songs are called ____________. 3. Min’yo singers are accompanied by instruments such as the shakuhachi, shamisen, taiko,

and _____________. 4. __________ is a song about Japan’s national flower, the cherry blossoms. 5. __________ is the indigenous Japanese religion. 6. A ________ religion involves the worship of multiple deities. 7. Shinto music is called __________. 8. Mi-kagura ceremonies are divided into two: ____________ and ____________. 9. Female Shinto dancers are called __________. 10. Kagura for small village shrines is called ___________.

Challenge Yourself! Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is incorrect

________ 1. Japanese folk music is called min’yo. ________ 2. Children’s songs are called kagura. ________ 3. Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan. ________ 4. A Mikomai is an all-male shrine dance. ________ 5. The saibari part of the mi-kagura is for entertaining the gods.


Let’s Jam!

Activity 1: Listen to the Japanese folk song “Kokiriko” and learn to sing the Japanese text. Create a choreography for the song and perform it in front of the class.


Lesson 4: JPOP

Learning Targets

In this lesson, you should be able to: ● discuss the history of JPOP; and ● identify famous JPOP acts.

Sometimes foreign cultures can find their way to a country and influence that country’s culture, creating something new. What changes happened to Japanese music after the entry of Western influences from the United States?

Let’s Warm Up!

1. Listen to “Sukiyaki” by Sakamoto Kyu. 2. Learn the song in Japanese and sing the vocal melody. 3. What Western musical style does it sound closest to?


Learn about It! JPOP, or Japanese Pop, refers to Western-influenced Japanese music. The term is said to have originated from the Japanese FM radio station “J-Wave,” who used JPOP to describe the newer genres of music that were coming out. It is widely used to describe multiple music genres such as pop, rock, dance, rap, and soul that are produced by Japanese musicians. Jazz music first became popular in the Showa period (1926-1989), and it introduced many new musical instruments to bars and clubs. Before that, musical instruments were limited for use in classical music and military marches. After World War II, US soldiers who were occupying Japan introduced new genres like Boogie-Woogie, Mambo, Blues, and Country. Songs like “Tokyo Boogie Woogie” performed by Shizuko Kasagi and “Omatsuri Mambo” by Misora Hibari, were popular.

Fig. 4.1. Misora Hibari received a Medal of Honor because of her many contributions to Japanese music.


Try It Yourself Read more information about the Boogie-Woogie and Mambo genres. What do you think made these appealing to the Japanese people?

Try It Yourself Listen to “Tokyo Boogie Woogie” by Shizuko Kasagi. Which style of Western music does it sound closest to? In the 1950s, rock and roll became popular after a music group called Kosaka Kazuya and the Wagon Masters performed a rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel.” Some performers, like Sakamoto Kyu, made attempts to merge Japanese pop music with rock and roll. Sakamoto Kyu’s song called “Ue wo Muite Aruko” (translated to: “Let’s Look Up and Walk”) is credited with being the first Japanese song to hit international audiences. The song is more popularly known as “Sukiyaki” in the US since the original title was too hard to pronounce.

Fig. 4.2. Sukiyaki reached number one in the US Billboard Hot 100 in June of 1963, making him the first ever Asian

artist to have a number one song on that charts.


From the 70s onward, Pop, R&B, Hip-hop, and Rock acts dominated the JPOP scene, with girl group AKB48 being credited as being the biggest pop group in Japanese pop history.

Fig. 4.3. AKB48 performed at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California back in July 2010.

Source: kndynt2099, Ax10akb18 (cropped), CC BY-SA 2.0 Famous JPOP Acts

● Shizuko Kasagi — crowned as Japan’s “Queen of Boogie-Woogie.” She performed “Tokyo Boogie Woogie.”

● Sakamoto Kyu — his song “Ue wo Muite Aruko” is the first Japanese pop song to hit international audiences.

● Happy End — a four-piece rock band also credited with being the first rock act to sing in Japanese. “Natsu Nandesu” is an example of their musical output.

● Kosaka Kazuya — his group, “The Wagon Masters,” is credited with starting the rock and roll movement in Japan.


https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ax10akb18_(cropped).jpg

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode

Try it Yourself

Listen to some songs from the artists mentioned above. If their songs are influenced by Western music, how do you think they keep a unique Japanese sound?


1. _________ refers to Western-influenced Japanese music. 2. The Japanese FM radio station called __________ came up with the term “JPOP”. 3. In the Showa period, ____________ was very popular in bars and clubs. 4. After World War II, new genres such as ________, ________, _______, and _________ were

introduced to the Japanese. 5. ___________ is crowned as Japan’s “Queen of Boogie-Woogie.” 6. Sakamoto Kyu’s ________ was the first Japanese pop song to hit international audiences. 7. In the 1950’s __________ was popular in Japan. 8. _________ is a four-piece rock band credited with being the first rock act to sing in

Japanese. 9. Kosaka Kazuya and the Wagon Masters performed a rendition of Elvis Presley’s

__________. 10.The girl group _________ is said to be the biggest pop act in Japanese pop music history.


Challenge Yourself! Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is incorrect. ________ 1. Before, musical instruments were only reserved for classical music and military marches. ________ 2. “Sukiyaki” replaced the original title in the US because it was too hard for the Americans to pronounce. ________ 3. JPOP was coined by an American radio station. ________ 4. Jazz music was popular in the Showa period. ________ 5. Sakamoto Kyu performed “Tokyo Boogie Woogie.”

Let’s Jam! Activity 1: Listen to “Omatsuri Mambo” by Misora Hibari and create choreography for the song. Perform it in front of the class.

Did You Know? The word karaoke means “empty orchestra.” A karaoke machine is a coin-operated machine created by Daisuke Inuoe in the 1970s that played his songs on tape so that his fans could sing along. However, he failed to patent his invention.


Web Links

● https://wow-j.com/en/Allguides/other/tips_manners/01402_en/

● https://taiken.co/single/japan-traditional-musical-instruments

● https://theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/a-brief-history-of-j-pop-in-11-bands/

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Afac0Nc7Q

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4vpyqDCaNQ

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQvYhvmDuu4

Performance Task

The Folk Revival Purpose: At the end of this activity, the students should be able to:

● perform Japanese folk songs using modern instruments; ● perform with melodic and rhythmic accuracy; and ● demonstrate basic skills in arrangement and performance.

Role: You are a music group that has been invited to participate in an Asian music festival. As part of the program, you are to perform Japanese folk songs with modern instruments. Competence: You must be able to perform “Sakura” with the proper tune, but with the use of modern musical instruments and techniques. Procedure

1. Form groups of four.


https://taiken.co/single/japan-traditional-musical-instruments

2. Study the vocal lines of the song “Sakura” as a group. 3. Arrange an accompaniment for the vocal line. Be creative with your instrument choices

and genre/style. It is important to note that even with the modern style, the essence of the song is still present.

4. Perform the song in front of the class. 5. After all the groups have presented, have a sharing of insights facilitated by your

teacher.

Key Guide Questions

1. What modern music elements did you make use of? 2. How did you maintain the integrity of the song? 3. Was it easy for you to rearrange the song? Why or why not?

Reflective Questions

1. Did you learn anything new about arrangement and composition from this activity? 2. Did this activity help you to deepen your appreciation for Japanese culture? 3. Was it easy or difficult to work together as a group? 4. Would you consider music arrangement as a possible career path for you?

Self Check

Reflect

I find __________________________ the most interesting because ______________________. I got ____ checks because _______________________________________________________. I need to improve on _______________________because _____________________________. I need to practice _________________________ because _____________________________. I plan to _____________________________________________________________________ .


Wrap Up Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Background of Japan

Traditional Instruments of Japan


Folk Songs and Ritual Music of Japan

JPOP


Bibliography

Dayman, Lucy. "A Brief History of J-Pop in 11 Bands." Culture Trip. September 11, 2017. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/a-brief-history-of-j-pop-in-11-bands/.

"Geography." Osaka Travel: Shitennoji Temple. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1000.html.

"Hogaku: Japanese Traditional Music." Kabuki Theatre. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://japanesetradmusic.blogspot.com/p/religious-music-kagura-shomyo.html.

Hurst, G. Cameron, Gil Latz, Akira Watanabe, Takeshi Toyoda, Kitajima Masamoto, and Marius B. Jansen. "Japan." Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan.

"J-POP HISTORY." Go Japan Go. Accessed February 23, 2019. http://www.gojapango.com/culture/j-pop_history.html.

Malm, William P. "Japanese Music." Encyclopædia Britannica. September 17, 2015. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/art/Japanese-music/Tonal-system#ref602960.


Nakamura. "A Guide to 12 Traditional Japanese Instruments." WOW! JAPAN. January 15, 2019. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://wow-j.com/en/Allguides/other/tips_manners/01402_en/.

Nelson, Ronald. "Japanese Folk Songs." The International Shakuhachi Society. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://www.komuso.com/albums/albums.pl?album=323.

"Traditional Japanese Musical Instruments." Taiken Japan. Accessed February 23, 2019. https://taiken.co/single/japan-traditional-musical-instruments.

Glossary

Court music refers to music that is performed in courts and palaces. Deity refers to a being that is worshipped in religion. Lute refers to a plucked string instrument with a neck and a hollow body. Plectrum refers to an object used to pluck strings. Polytheism refers to a religion wherein believers worship multiple deities.


U N I T 3 : M u s i c o f Eas t A s i a: J ap an

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