This particular instrument changes in sound according to its length, but overall it has a bird-like sound and is similar to a flute. Biwa a Japanese short-necked wooden lute with 4 or 5 stringsĪlso known as “blown instruments” in Japan, wind instruments in traditional Japanese music range from simple to very complex.įor example, one of the simplest instruments is called the “Shinobue” and is a straight single piece of wood with holes cut out along the piece.Shamisen a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument.Sanshin a three stringed Okinawan instrument and precursor of the shamisen.Koto a plucked half-tube zither instrument.Shakuhachi an end-blown flute that is made of bamboo.The 6 common traditional musical instruments in Japan today: So, to make the information easier to understand we will break the following section down into these categories to help you easily identify the different instruments and how each is similar and or differs from another. Traditional Japanese musical instruments cover a wide range of different sections of an orchestra such as wind, string, and even percussion. What are traditional Japanese musical instruments? Otherwise, online alternatives such as videos on Youtube are a great way to better quaint yourself with the style of music. One such example is the Wagakki band which mixes traditional Japanese music with modern music. If you are not able to visit Japan to listen to traditional Japanese music there are more and more traveling traditional Japanese musicians or groups. Some of the most common places to do this are shrines, art events, or even festivals (matsuri). One of the most common ways to hear traditional Japanese music in Japan is to actually attend a concert rather than listen online. This way you can gain an appreciation for the complexity or simplicity of a particular piece, the way the instruments intertwine with each other, or simply how they stand apart and give the music its own unique flavor. Where can I hear traditional Japanese music?īefore looking for more information about the traditional instruments themselves it is best to listen to the music. So, here we will tell you the basics of some of the most popular and recognized traditional Japanese musical instruments as well as give you some examples of where you can hear this type of music. Not only will this allow you to appreciate the songs and the different harmonies, but also to get a better understanding of the music’s deeper meaning as a whole. In order to better understand cultural Japanese music, you can learn a little bit about each of the traditional instruments used to make music by Japanese musicians. On top of this, any lyrics or meanings behind particular pieces of music give an unparalleled insight into the country’s past cultural and historical experiences. The koto is a Japanese thirteen or more stringed instrument that is plucked with the right hand and pushing or pulling the strings with the left hand to change pitch while the koto rests on a platform. It is considered Japan’s national instrument.
The most popular instrument in Japan is the koto. It can tell you a lot about the people, the activities at the time as well as the importance of social gatherings and the materials that were available at the time. Music in any culture is a fantastic way to become better acquainted with the history of a place. Traditional Japanese musical instruments have survived relatively unchanged from the 5th century to the modern-day and showcase the rich history of music and its place in history in Japan.
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