East Asian Music and Instruments

Music

• Japanese music often focuses on religious festivals, work, dance, love, and regional songs.
• Sakura is a Japanese folk song associated with spring and cherry blossoms. Its time signature is 6/8.
• Chinese music is influenced by Confucian teachings, believing sounds affect harmony. Mo Li Hua is a gentle, lyrical Chinese song in 4/4 time.
• Arirang is a Korean folk song expressing sadness and remembrance, particularly of partings.
• Chong-ak is traditional Korean music associated with the upper class.
• Sog-ak (or Minsog-ak) is traditional Korean music associated with the lower classes.

Musical Instruments of East Asia

• Japan:
  • Membranophones: Odaiko, Tsuzumi, Tsuridaiko, Taiko
  • Chordophones: Koto, Shamisen, Biwa
  • Aerophones: Shakuhachi, Nokan, Hichiriki, Sho, Shinobue, Ryuteki
• China:
  • Chordophones: Yueqin, Erhu, Pipa, Zheng
  • Aerophones: Dizi, Sheng
  • Idiophones: Yunlou, Pengling
• Korea:
  • Chordophones: Kayagum, Geomungo, Haegum, Piri
  • Membranophones: Changgo

Arts

• Calligraphy: A beautiful art form of handwriting, traditionally in China.
• In Chinese funerals, sycee (silver/gold ingots) were replaced with yuanbao (folded paper resembling ingots).
• Painting in Japan: A highly valued and refined art form. Ukiyo-e is a famous type of Japanese woodblock print, using a technique popular throughout East Asia.
• Heaven, Earth, and Mankind are recurring themes in East Asian art.
• Sakura (Cherry Blossoms): Represent transient beauty in Japanese culture, embodying the relationship between nature and humanity.
• Yin-Yang: A concept embodying the balanced relationship between nature and humanity.
• Kabuki (Japanese Make-up): Kabuki make-up varies, with standard makeup common for most actors and Kumadori for villains and heroes. Facial features are used to portray a character.

Health

• Courtship: A period preceding engagement and marriage.
• Love Riddles (Palawan): A method of courtship where people assess potential couples' compatibility.
• Love: A key element of a successful marriage.
• Fertilization: The joining of the sperm and egg to initiate the development of a fertilized egg.
• Placenta: A structure in the womb providing nutrients to developing babies.
• Uterus: The organ where the fertilized egg develops into a baby.
• Pregnancy Length: Approximately 38–40 weeks (nine months).
• Breastfeeding: The ideal way to feed newborns; it's economical, nutritious, and promotes bonding.
• Symptoms of Pregnancy: Can include morning sickness, stretch marks, missed periods, tenderness in breasts, fatigue, increased urination, irritability, etc. Diet and practices are important for staying healthy during pregnancy.