East Asian Music: Japan, Korea, China

Study Notes

Sakura in Art and Culture

Sakura, the Japanese cherry blossom, symbolizes renewal, beauty, and the ephemeral nature of life.
It represents the transience of life and the importance of appreciating its fleeting moments.
Sakura is a popular motif in Japanese art, literature, and culture, often associated with springtime and festivals.

Mo Li Hua

Mo Li Hua translates to "Jasmine Flower" in Chinese.
It is a popular folk song in China and is known for its beautiful melody and lyrics that celebrate the beauty of jasmine flowers.
The song often symbolizes love, purity, and the joy of life.

Chong-ak

Chong-ak refers to "refined music" or "high-class music" in Korean traditional music.
It was developed during the Joseon Dynasty and is characterized by its use of elaborate melodies and complex rhythms.
Often performed by court musicians and at royal ceremonies, Chong-ak reflects the elegance and grandeur of the Joseon court.

Odaiko

Odaiko is a type of large Japanese drum used in traditional Japanese music.
It is known for its powerful sound and is often used in festivals, ceremonies, and performances.
These drums are typically made from a single piece of hollowed-out wood and are struck with large wooden mallets.

Pansori

Pansori is a form of Korean musical storytelling that combines singing, acting, and percussion.
Performances are typically a dramatic solo with narration, accompanied by a single percussionist (gosu).
Pansori narratives often center around legendary heroes, tragic love stories, and societal struggles.

Korean Music vs. Classical Music

Korean music, while sharing some characteristics with Western classical music, is distinct in its emphasis on melodic patterns and rhythmic structures.
Korean music often incorporates pentatonic scales and complex rhythmic patterns that differ from those found in Western classical music.
Instruments like the gayageum and geomungo are unique to Korean music, contributing to its distinctive sound.

Shamisen

The Shamisen is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument similar to a guitar or banjo.
It has a long fretless neck, a hollow body covered with snakeskin, and typically 3-4 strings.
The Shamisen is mainly used in Kabuki theater and other traditional Japanese music genres.

Biwa

The Biwa is a Japanese instrument that is associated with the goddess of music, poetry, and education, Benten.
It's a four-stringed lute-like instrument with a long neck and a rounded body.
Often used in religious rituals and traditional music performances, the Biwa is said to possess a mystical and spiritual quality.

Haegeum

The Haegeum is a two-stringed vertical fiddle that is held knee-high and played with a bow.
It's a common instrument in Korean traditional music, known for its melodic and expressive capabilities.
Its unique construction and playing style evoke a haunting and lyrical sound.

Yunluo

The Yunluo is a Chinese instrument that consists of a set of tuned bells hanging on a wooden frame.
The bells are struck with a mallet to create a variety of sounds and patterns.
The Yunluo is typically used in traditional Chinese music and theatrical performances.

Dragon Flute in Bagaku

The Ryuteki, literally known as the "Dragon Flute", in Japanese, is a vertically held bamboo flute used in bagaku, a form of ancient court music.
Its distinctive design and its resonant sound create a celestial and ethereal feeling in performances.
The Ryuteki's popularity in ceremonial and spiritual music connects its use closely with Japanese folklore and traditional beliefs.

Shakuhachi

The Shakuhachi is a Japanese bamboo flute with a unique, haunting sound and is considered the most famous bamboo flute in Japan.
Traditionally used in Zen Buddhist rituals, the Shakuhachi is now also a popular instrument in contemporary music genres.
Its ability to produce a range of sounds, from gentle melodies to powerful tones, has contributed to its popularity worldwide.

Description

Explore the musical traditions of Japan, Korea, and China, including the unique characteristics of Japanese music based on human breathing intervals, the traditional Japanese folk song Sakura, the influence of harmony of the universe in Chinese music, and the gentle melody of the traditional Chinese song Mo Li Hua.