Each nation has its own traditions and customs. Household items musical instruments, clothes, food have their own national flavor. Therefore, many of us are interested in how we live in other countries. In this article, you will learn what Japanese musical instruments are.
The most popular
The country of the rising sun is special, unlike others. Therefore, the national Japanese musical instrument is also unusual. He is called shamisen. This is a Japanese plucked musical instrument. It has three strings attached to a wooden frame covered in the skin of a cat, snake or dog. The tool is tightened on both sides. Its length is 100 centimeters. They play shamisen with the help of a special device - a plectrum, which replaced the previously used mediator. Artists with high skill can extract special sounds from this instrument - savari. In addition, the shamisen differ in pitch and timbre. Tellers and singers accompanied themselves during the performance, playing this instrument. The appearance of this tool dates back to the middle of the 16th century. Shamisen is played in three different styles. Minho - performance of folk songs. Katari-mono - playing along to the storyteller. Uta-mono - song style, used to accompany the theatrical performances of Kabuki. Geisha must have been able to play shamisen in the Tokugawa era.
Almost gusli
There are other Japanese stringed musical instruments. There is a large group united by one name - biwa. These Japanese musical instruments are made from mulberry wood, and the strings are made from silk. The earliest references to them are found in documents related to the VIII century. There are several varieties of these tools. They have an elongated, almond-shaped body, strings, play on them using a plectrum. But there are a number of features that make it possible to distinguish them from each other. This is not only the appearance, sound, but also a different purpose. Gakubiva was used to create special music - the gagaku. The size of this instrument is 122 * 41 cm. It has 4 strings. A wide black leather tape is glued across the body. It protects him from the blows of the plectrum. The five-string version was used for court orchestras. But over time, they stopped using it. Blind monks played a four-string moso-beat. In order to play along during the “Tale of the House of Tara”, they took a special hike-biva with 4 strings and 5 frets. The extended range has satsuma biva. This instrument has 4 strings, 4 high frets, and the largest plectrum is used for playing. Most often it was used in Satsuma province during the Edo period. And in Meiji times, they played tikuzen-biva. He could have 4 or 5 frets, depending on this the manner of the game changed.
Not just music
Japanese folk musical instruments with their appearance resemble a drum, flute and harp. All drums in this country are called taiko, which means a large drum. They appeared in Japan in the III-IV century. It is believed that Korea and China are their homeland. Japanese drums are divided into two groups. Belonging to one of them, you can customize, for this there are cords and screws. They are called sime-daiko. Belonging to the second group - byo-daiko - they have a rigid membrane fixed by nails, which does not allow changing the sound of the instrument. Tool cases are hollowed out from a single piece of solid wood. Drums are involved in the performance of classical music, but are also widely spread among the people. In Japan, it is believed that the game on them develops coordination, fortitude and disciplines. In addition, playing the drums is a whole performance. Therefore, there are musical ensembles whose members play only on these instruments. A small hourglass drum is called tsuzumi. It is set up using cords that pass through the membranes on both sides. The membranes should be wet when playing, this provides the best sound.
Japanese pipe
A bamboo flute called shakuhachi also came to Japan from China. Its name accurately describes its length. “Syaku” is foot, and “hati” is eight. By our standards, 54.5 centimeters. Over time, they learned to make it in this country. Today, these Japanese musical instruments are widespread. In total there are about 20 species. This flute is the favorite of the people for the beauty of sound and ease of manufacture. The original sounds that musicians extract from it are often used to write music for meditation.
Unusual beauty
Japanese musical instruments resembling a harp are koto. They were introduced to Japan in the first millennium. They played koto in the imperial palace. All aristocrats had to own it. Therefore, playing the koto was part of the educational program of the elite layers of society. In order to extract sound from this instrument, the musician uses false nails. One for the thumb, the second for the index and the third for the middle finger of the right hand. Preliminarily, with the help of bridges, frets are adjusted. There are two types of koto. On a large one - 1.8-2 meters long - with 1 or more strings, they are used to play in an orchestra. It is called "co." For a solo instrument, choose a smaller one, 1 meter long with seven strings. The most popular piece of music for this instrument is Rokudan-no-shirabe, written by the blind Yatsuhashi Kange in the 17th century.
Oboe Relative
What else are Japanese musical instruments? Brass - cunning. This tool is considered the progenitor of an oboe. It is made of bamboo and decorated with cherry tree bark. It has a small size and a sound range of just one octave. Outwardly, the cunning guitar resembles a flute. There are holes on the case for sound extraction, as well as a ring for adjusting the tone and volume.
And in Japan there is an unusual musical instrument on which anyone can play. It is not necessary to have a musical ear. This will happen by itself when you wash your hands. It's about Suikin Kutsu.
Underground tune
Translated, this word means "cave of water koto." Previously, such devices were arranged on springs, but in the modern world they can be found in parks, in shops, in residential premises. The Japanese love the sounds of Suikin Kutsu, and although it is not people who pick up the sounds, they are nature, but people adjust it anyway. It is a jug buried in the ground, turned upside down. Water enters the jug through the hole in the bottom, giving rise to simple melodies. Ceramic jugs are best suited, although they use metal jugs. Those who hear sounds coming from underground for the first time are amazed when they learn how this instrument actually works.
Japan is an unusual country. Therefore, Japanese musical instruments, photos of which are presented in the article, are original. Of course, it’s best not to look at the images, but to hear how they sound.