User Manual
33A User’s Guide to Garritan World Instruments
e Music and Instruments of Japan
e Japanese word for music is “ongaku,” meaning fun or comfort with sound. ere are several types
of traditional Japanese music (hogaku). Some of the more important ones are listed below:
• Gagaku: Gagaku, or “elegant music,” is the oldest form of Japanese classical music and has
been performed at the Imperial court for centuries. Gagaku also accompanied classical dance
and was used in religious ceremonies. It is the oldest continually played court music in the
world, introduced to Japan in the Nara period alongside Buddhism and is still performed to-
day. Traditional Japanese music was often improvised and is characterized as calm with no spe-
cic beat. Samurai warriors often listened to Gagaku music for tranquility and to enrich their
lives. Traditional Japanese music is based on a ve-note scale. Instruments in Gagaku music
include Hichiriki, Sho, Koto, Gong, Tsuzumi, and various other instruments.
• Nogaku: Music played during Noh performances. Noh, or Nogaku, is a form of classical Japa-
nese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Noh theater is tradition-
ally accompanied by three drummers (Tsuzumi drum, Kotsuzumi, Shime-Daiko drum) and a
autist.
• Sōkyoku: Sōkyoku literally means “koto music” and represents music performed on the koto,
or by an ensemble of koto, shamisen and shakuhachi players. ere is a large body of Japanese
music played with the Koto.
• Shakuhachi-gaku: Japan has a unique tradition involving a particular wind instrument - the
Shakuhachi. Honkyoku were songs played on the Shakuhachi by Buddhist komosu monks
for enlightenment. Honkyoku involves the practice of suizen (“blowing Zen”) and the noises