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Japan

Japan. Tara Abner. Description of Japan. Made up of 6,852 islands Most of the islands are volcanic (Mt. Fuji) 10 th most populated country Capitol is Tokyo Constitutional Monarchy (emperor with prime minister) 2 nd largest economy Low unemployment rate (4%), high standard of living

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Japan

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  1. Japan Tara Abner

  2. Description of Japan • Made up of 6,852 islands • Most of the islands are volcanic (Mt. Fuji) • 10th most populated country • Capitol is Tokyo • Constitutional Monarchy (emperor with prime minister) • 2nd largest economy • Low unemployment rate (4%), high standard of living • Leader in scientific research and technology development • 75.9% of high school graduates complete college

  3. Music Characteristics • Sparse rhythm • No regular chords • silence is important • Attempt to reflect the flow and feeling of nature • The tempo usually starts out very slow and gets faster, returns to being slow again, and has a drawn-out ending. • Influenced by Chinese music

  4. Traditional Instruments • Koto-Zither-like instrument • Biwa-4 Stringed lute-like instrument • Tsuzumi drum

  5. Traditional Instruments • Shamisen- 3 Stringed guitar-like instrument • Shakuhachi- Bamboo flute • Taiko drum

  6. Traditional Musical Styles • Gagaku: Ancient court music from China and Korea. It is the oldest type of Japanese, traditional music. • Biwagaku: Music played with the Biwa, a kind of guitar with four strings. • Nohgaku: Music played during Noh performances. It basically consists of a chorus, the Hayashi flute, the Tsuzumi drum, and other instruments. • Sokyoku: Music played with the Koto, a type of zither with 13 strings. Later also accompanied by Shamisen and Shakuhachi. • Shamisenongaku: Music played with the Shamisen, a kind of guitar with only three strings. Kabuki and Bunraku performances are accompanied by the shamisen. • Minyo: Japanese folk songs. • Honkyoku- Original pieces played on Shakuhachi by Buddhist priests. • Taiko-Percussion ensembles that play a variety of traditional styles on taiko drums. Originally used to intimidate opposing armies in battle.

  7. Taiko Drum Ensemble

  8. Kabuki and Noh Theater • Noh • Created in the 14th Century from a mix of Chinese drama and Japanese traditional dancing. • Created for the aristocracy • Refined • Can be confusing (and boring) to those not familiar with the style • Kabuki • Originated in the 17th Century • All-male actors (though created by a woman) • Influenced by noh, but created for the ordinary people • Less refined than noh

  9. Noh

  10. Kabuki

  11. Famous Traditional Artists

  12. Western Influence • Western Classical music is extremely popular and influences genres from traditional to movie themes. • Jazz has been enjoyed continuously by the younger crowd since the 1930s • 60s rock groups such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones have inspired modern Japanese Rock. • American folk artists, such as Bob Dylan, and folk music, such as Bluegrass, have a strong following and is also cited as inspiration for modern Japanese popular music

  13. J-Pop • Japanese popular music • Modeled after American pop music

  14. Top Pops

  15. Theme Songs • Music for Japanese TV dramas, videos, and anime is considered a separate genre • Many of Japan’s most popular artists have spent their entire careers working in this feild. • Popular artists include Masato Shimon, Ichirou Mizuki, JAM Project, Akira Kushida, Isao Sasaki, and Mitsuko Horie • Input Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun

  16. Video Games • Originally, games had simple sound chips • Kōichi Sugiyama changed that with his experimentation in the game “Dragon Quest” • With the development of gaming technologies, game music became more advanced with full orchestration being used. • Game soundtracks are popular in CD/MP3 format. • Popular video game composers include Koji Kondo (Mario and Zelda) and Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy)

  17. Evolution of Video Game Sound

  18. References • http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2113.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Japan • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Japanese_music • http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/kabuki.shtml

  19. Image Credits • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koto_(musical_instrument) • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gifujyou5848.JPG • http://www.japan-zone.com/culture/instrument.shtml • http://www.kotosandmore.com/Shamisen.htm • http://www.shakuhachi.com/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Giant_Taiko_Drum_Nagoya.jpg

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