Gagaku
Gagaku is Japan's oldest form of classical music, originating in the eighth century CE as the music of the imperial court. Its name translates to "elegant music," distinguishing it from zokugaku, the music of the common people. Gagaku is a blend of musical influences from China and Korea, and it features a unique ensemble of sixteen musicians playing traditional Japanese instruments such as the hichiriki (a vertical flute), koto (a stringed instrument), and various types of percussion. The music is categorized into four types: kangen (instrumental), bugaku (dance), saibara (folk-influenced songs), and ritual music for Shinto shrines.
Gagaku performances are characterized by a distinctive harmony structure, wherein the lowest note parallels the melody, creating a regal sound suitable for court ceremonies. While it faced decline post-World War II, interest in gagaku was revived in the 1950s and 1960s, leading to new compositions and performances. Today, gagaku is still performed at the Tokyo Imperial Palace and has gained recognition globally, being added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. This ancient musical tradition continues to be an important aspect of Japanese culture, showcasing its rich history and evolving nature.
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Gagaku
Gagaku is the oldest form of Japanese classical music and the music of the imperial court. A blend of music from China, Korea, and Japan, gagaku came into being in the eighth century Common Era (CE). It features sixteen elaborately costumed musicians playing traditional Japanese instruments from an ornate stage. Although it incorporates folk tunes and songs familiar to the common people, it was originally played only for Japanese royalty during rituals and court ceremonies. In contemporary times, annual recitals are held, and gagaku orchestras travel to other countries to share this ancient Japanese music.
Overview
Gagaku, which translates to "elegant music" or "graceful music," came to Japan around 700 CE. It was called "elegant music" to distinguish it from zokugaku, or the music of the common people. Gagaku evolved when representatives from other Asian nations, such as China and Korea, visited Japan and introduced their music and dances to the culture. By the tenth century, gagaku had developed and come under the patronage of the Imperial court.
There are four categories of gagaku. These include kangen, or the instrumental orchestra; bugaku, or the dance group; saibara and roei, or the songs; and ritual music used in Shinto religious shrines. The kangen and bugaku categories are further divided into uho, or music of the right, and saho, or music of the left. Saho features music familiar in China and India, while uho includes music from areas of northeastern China and the Korean peninsula.
The sixteen musicians in a gagaku orchestra use traditional Japanese versions of instruments such as the flute, oboe, harp, and lute. A uniquely Japanese vertically played flute known as a hichiriki generally carries the melodies, while a bamboo mouth organ adds the harmony. These mellow instruments are accented by distinctive drums and a gong. Unlike Western music, where the chords support the melody, in gagaku, the lowest note of the chord parallels the melody played on woodwind instruments. The highest notes are played on the stringed lute and zither, so the melody is supported with a double harmony. This structure is found only in gagaku. Together, this unique style and the instruments that play it produce a regal and stately form of music suited to the imperial court where it originated.
Gagaku performances also include saibara and roei songs. Saibara translates to "pack-horse driver songs" and consists of modified folk songs accompanied by some additional instruments, including a wooden clapper. Roei means "chanting" and is a form of poetry. The ritual music from Shinto shrines also uses different instrumentation accompanied by dances. Traditionally, some complete gagaku performances to accompany specific rites could take days to complete. In contemporary times, the longest is about six hours long.
Gagaku music almost disappeared in the aftermath of World War II (1939–1945). Often, ensemble members came from a long family line of gagaku performers, and many of these families suffered great losses during the war. In addition, many Japanese musicians stepped away from traditional practices at this time. Interest was revived in the 1950s and 1960s, and new gagaku ensembles were formed. Some performers began writing updated compositions in the gagaku style using new instruments and further increasing interest in the ancient musical form.
Although gagaku remained a highly-specialized form of music in the twenty-first century, it still held an important place in Japanese culture. Gagaku continued to be performed at the Tokyo Imperial Palace for official state celebrations. Public performances and international tours of gagaku groups were also undertaken. Contemporary composers created new gagaku compositions as well. In 2009, gagaku was added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Bibliography
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Hewett, Ivan. "Edinburgh Festival 2012: Japanese Gagaku: Music That's Out of This World." Telegraph, 15 Aug. 2012, www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/edinburgh-festival/9478247/Edinburgh-Festival-2012-Japanese-gagaku-Music-thats-out-of-this-world.html. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
"Japanese Imperial Court Music: Introduction to Gagaku." Orchestration in Gagaku Music, ccrma.stanford.edu/groups/gagaku. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
“Repertoire, Ensembles and Instrumentation in Gagaku Music.” Orchestration in Gagaku Music, gagaku.stanford.edu/en/repertoire. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Schachter, Aaron, and Maria Bakklapulo. "Gagaku, Japanese Imperial Court Music." The World, 15 Aug. 2013, theworld.org/stories/2013/08/15/gagaku-japanese-imperial-court-music. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.