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És la música clàsica japonesa, acompanyada del bugaku

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És la música folclórica. Hi ha 4 categories: cançons sobre el treball, cants religiosos, cançons per aconteciments especials i cançons infantils

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Es com es diu la musica tradicional de japó.Normalment es toca amb: el Shamisen i la Kagura-bue. Es toca en temples i jardins zen per treure les males vibres com: Demonis, Tamashii etc...

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邦楽BadApple!! -Touhou- em estilo Hougaku『邦楽』( Música tradicional Japonesa)

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Ball tradicional, probe de la part oest de Japó.
Es balla a les habitacions fins que el teatre nō va influir al escenari.

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Noh significa teatre musical. L'autor nucli va ser Zeami. El noh es fa al kabuki, el teatre més important. Al Japó van inventar el teatre de marionetes i titeres i el van anomenar bunraku. El teatre amb màscares es diu bugaku. Normalment la música que acompanya és el shamisen es un tipo de  laud curt

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Danza Tradicional Japonesa en el Jardin Japones el dia 10 de Octubre del 2007 en la Ceremonia del Fuego. Espero lo disfruten! La canción se llama: Kawachi Otoko Bushi, Gracias a himawarigirl1 por indicar el nombre!

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Ball tradicional originari del període Edo i el Mai creat ha la part oest de Japó.

El Odori es fa en l'escenari teatral kabuki i va dirigida més pel sentiments masculins.

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El shamisen és un tipus de llaüt de tres cordes inspirat en el sanxian xinès, es va introduir al Japó per Okinawa, on el coneixen com sanshin.

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És una flauta fabricada amb bambú. Té 4 orificis al capdavant i un a la part anterior, els quals produeixen els següents sons: re, fa, sol, la, do i re. Va ser el primer instrument creat de Japó i li van posar el nom de suizen. No era considerat un instrument musical, sinó un de religios

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The best possible way to start a new work week is with calmness and serenity. However that's not nearly as easy as it sounds, especially when having to face that dreaded Monday.

Music normally does the trick for me. I'm talking classy music here, not that dreadful pop variety that the young crowd fill their heads with these days. You know the "artists" I'm referring to. Usually guitar rhythms works a treat, but sometimes I need something more substantial.

And new age or world music fits the bill quite nicely. If it's from another culture or ethnicity entirely different from my own, all the better. That's where Shakuhachi comes in.

Shakuhachi are wind-blown instruments that produce a haunting melody. Originally introduced from China into Japan in the 8th century, they are traditionally made from the root end of bamboo plant.

One of my choice pieces featuring the Shakuhachi is by Uttara Kuru, titled Wings of the Eagle. Have a listen:

So here's my proposal: when you want someone to calm the fuck down, just say Shakuhachi. And here's hoping the rest of your week will be serene.

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The best possible way to start a new work week is with calmness and serenity. However that's not nearly as easy as it sounds, especially when having to face that dreaded Monday. Music normally does the trick for me. I'm talking classy music here, not that dreadful pop variety that the young crowd fill their...

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És un tambor sagrat que representa les almes dels éssers vius. Segons com es toca té una funció diferent: que plogui, que creixi la collita, etc.

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If you've been to Tokyo before, I bet you've seen a drumming game in the arcades of Akihabara that the Japanese seemingly love to play. It's called as Taiko no Tatsujin.

Back when I revisited Japan, the Niigata Tourism Board asked me if I wanted to learn more about "taiko". Upon mention of that word, I remembered the drums that I saw in the arcades, and I also mentioned a PlayStation game that I used to play called 'Patapon', which seemed to have been inspired out of taiko playing too. They said that if I found those fascinating, I would be more fascinated by the real thing - of course!

From what I've learned, taiko is a traditional Japanese percussion instrument that has deep roots in ancient Japanese mythology. It has been used in warfare to motivate troops, send out orders, and set a marching pace (apart from it being used in theatre, festivals, and rituals). Nowadays however, 'taiko' is more often used as a term to refer to the drumming performance itself - commonly to a style called kumi-daiko (ensemble-style playing). It's said that there are over 5,000 taiko groups active in Japan and the Kodo performing arts ensemble, who hails from Sado Island, is one of the most popular taiko groups not only in the country but worldwide too.

So when they asked me if I wanted to sail to Sado Island to try taiko drumming with one of the former members of Kodo, it was a sure 'yes' from me!

If you're more of a visual person, you can already watch my vlog / video below covering my taiko experience at Sado Island:

Run by Kodo Cultural Foundation, the Sado Island Taiko Centre (also called as Tatakokan) is nestled on top of a hill beside the neighbourhood of Kodo village, beautifully overlooking Mano Bay and the Osado mountain range. It has been built from local Sado Island timber and features a spacious hall, a traditional cooking classroom, an exhibition room, and several meeting rooms available for rent.

All throughout the year, a range of events and 'Taiko Experience' programs are being offered here that make use of decades of experience and know-how by the famous group of Kodo. One of those programs include hands-on experiences from Kodo instructors who teach beginners on how to play the taiko.

Fortunately, I had the pleasure to meet and be taught by a 10-year veteran member of Kodo, Shinichi Sogo - or " Shin-chan sensei ", an honorific which he wanted to be called - and he was an amazing person who was bubbling with energy and warmth!

Shin-chan sensei didn't seem to speak English but my accompanying translator ( Yasushi-san) told me that he has been with Kodo since 1981 and has since participated in over 1,000 performances in 30 countries worldwide. After he stopped performing, he became a staff member for a while; but since 2007, he decided to serve as an instructor in the Sado Island Taiko Centre.

But before I go on... let me just ask you: how old do you think he is?

Well I thought he was in his 40s; but apparently, he was about to reach 60!!! I complimented him on how young he looked and he said that taiko players almost always look younger than they do - or that it could also be the genes. We both laughed, but I guess it has some truth to it because I can imagine the kind of exercise and training that taiko players have to do to play and perform with these drums.

I proceeded to survey the hall and saw all the taiko drums that were set up around us. I gladly quipped, " So how many other people will be joining us today? "

He beamed, " No one. It's just you. I'm going to be teaching you privately today! "

Shin-chan sensei led me to the front of the hall and gestured towards 2 huge one-of-a-kind taiko drums that were called as odaiko - which literally means "big fat drum". These were apparently hand-carved by Kodo members from an enormous 600-year-old keyaki (Japanese zelkova tree).

They called the biggest odaiko, which somewhat looks like a potato, as ' Yamaimo-kun'. Whereas the other one which was laid down with only a cover on one side was called as 'Butabana-chan', mainly because it has a part on the side that looks like a pig's snout.

After pulling out some bachi (thick drum sticks), Shin-chan sensei hit the bigger odaiko for a couple of times... and that was the first time that I heard the sound of a taiko up close, and it sent out such a deep echo that reverberated across the wooden halls.

I instantly felt goosebumps! More so when Shin-chan sensei played a powerful odaiko solo for me (which you can see in the video above at 00:01)

Suffice to say, I was floored. I can just imagine a spectacular group of taiko players performing for the upcoming 2020 Japan Olympics and that would be SO amazing! After all, from what I've already witnessed, taiko drumming has a unique and dynamic playing style.

It is fast, it is loud, and it is intense! In fact, if you were to watch a group performance (such as that of the video below by Kodo) you might agree with me when I say that taiko performances are like 50% music and 50% dance / choreographed movements that are akin to Japanese martial arts!

Shin-chan sensei handed me some bachi and he urged me to try to beat the two odaiko separately for as much as I could... boy - was it freaking tiring to consecutively do beats!

Obviously, to be able to perform taiko well, you would really need to have the muscle and the stamina to do so. Shin-chan sensei told me that in Kodo, they have VERY intense training and practices since they are taught to attack their drums with their entire bodies and with a Zen-like concentration. Well, just by looking at the Kodo video above, I can definitely believe that!

After he let me have my fun with the big taiko drums for a few minutes, he led me to the smaller ones in the hall so that he could teach me how to properly play the taiko.

I initially thought that there was a special and complicated technique to it because Shin-chan sensei's strikes sounded way too different from mine (well of course, he was a professional after all). But anyhow, he told me to relax, to stand straight and to set my feet a bit wider apart than shoulder-width. Afterwards, he told me that I simply have to keep my bachi straight and that as I try to produce a sound, I needed to let both the weight of my bachi and my arm to fall down on the taiko ...and that was it!

Unlike typical drum playing, he told me not to force the sticks down; instead, I have to let gravity do the work. I tried it again and my beats sounded way better than before!

...But then of course, to keep my arms playing was an entire matter of its own.

For the rest of our session, apart from learning other striking techniques, Shin-chan sensei and I did several pieces together: a part where he played several pieces in which I have to mimic them in return (and vice versa), and then a whole Japanese song that he taught me which I tried to memorize so that I could play it continuously without stopping. By the end of it all, I bet that if my arms could talk, they would be complaining at how I've been skipping 'arm day' at the gym!

Nevertheless, learning and doing taiko drumming was SO much fun! Shin-chan sensei, like I already mentioned before, was also positively infectious given his overflowing energy. Therefore, it would be so enjoyable should you come to this hall together with your friends or your family!
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The majority of Sad Island Taiko Centre's programs are geared for beginners. Much like what I did, participants will learn more about taiko whilst gaining the opportunity to play it with others.

Below are the options they offer:

Individual Course - for individuals, families, and small groups of friends.

Offered 3 times a day (10:00AM, 13:30PM, and 15:00PM) during Saturdays, Sundays, & public holidays. They can also be offered during weekdays, just inquire.

Each of these sessions last approximately 60 minutes.

Fee: 2,000 yen (or $18~) for adults and 1,000 yen ($9~) for children. Kids under the age of 5 are free.

Group/Field Trip Course - a 90-minute program for large groups

Age requirements: for those with ages 6 and up (please inquire first if you're a group that includes children ages 5 and under)

Fee: 2,100 yen per adult (can go down to 1,800 yen per adult for groups of 36 and more)

Group size: 10 to 70 people
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Taiko Player Groups - Kindly let the center know about your details, the length of your workshop, and the budget.
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I LOVE learning more about a country's culture especially those related to the arts, and that's simply why I never pass up on opportunities such as this!

That being said, it was truly an honor that I got the opportunity to learn more about taiko drumming, as one of Japan's olden culture, from a member of today's most famous Japanese taiko ensemble. It has even been more of a joy to know that there are still groups like Kodo that continue to perform with it.

...I guess my next goal then is to see Kodo perform LIVE on stage! Otherwise, I hope I get to see them in the upcoming 2020 Japan Olympics - and I bet I will.

Did you like this article? Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube and be notified about my newest posts and updates!

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Taiko Drumming at Sado Island, Home of World-Famous Kodo Japanese Group - I am Aileen

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If you've been to Tokyo before, I bet you've seen a drumming game in the arcades of Akihabara that the Japanese seemingly love to play. It's called as Taiko no Tatsujin. Back when I revisited Japan, the Niigata Tourism Board asked me if I wanted to learn more about "taiko ".

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Tres flautes traveseres fetes de bambú i tant dins com fora esten lacades.

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Les instruments du Gagaku

Dans le terme du Gagaku, les instruments à percussion s'appellent " 打物 Uchimono, instrument à taper ", les instruments à cordes " 弾物 Hikimono, instrument à tirer " et les instruments à vent " 吹物 Fukimono, instrument à souffler ".
Le " 管絃 Kangen " qui est la forme la plus ancienne de l'orchestre dans le monde, est composé au total de 16 personnes : trois personnes pour chacun de trois instruments à vent, une personne pour chacun de deux instruments à cordes et une personne pour chacun de trois instruments à percussion.
Par le positionnement des instruments, les instruments à percussion s'installent au premier rang, les instruments à cordes au rang du milieu et les instruments à cordes au dernier rang.

(1)　打物 : Uchimono, les instruments à percussion

①　羯鼓 : Kakko (tambour tonneau)
Le Kakko joue le rôle de chef d'orchestre. Dans le Gagaku, il n'y a pas de chef comme dans la musique occidentale. C'est le joueur du Kakko qui se charge de ce rôle. Dans la plupart des cas, c'est le vétéran qui connaît mieux le Gagaku qui joue du Kakko.
Il donne un signe au début ou à la fin des morceaux et contrôle le mouvement total de la musique en arrangeant le tempo, etc.
Il porte deux baguettes " Bachi " avec ses mains gauche et droite et frappe deux côtés de l'instrument comme s'il décrit un cercle. On appelle " gratter " le fait de jouer le Kakko.

②　太鼓 : Taiko (tambour)
Le Taiko est appelé le Tsuri-daiko ou le Gaku-daiko. Le tambour épinglé est fixé à l'intérieur d'un cadre rond en bois par les trois côtés au moyen de cordes. Prenant en deux mains deux mailloches, dont l'extrémité est grosse et ronde, enveloppés par la peau de cerf, le joueur frappe d'un seul côté.
Le fait de frapper légèrement de la main gauche s'appelle "図 Zou-n ", et celui de frapper fortement par la main droite " 百 Dô ". On frappe d'abord la mailloche gauche ensuite la mailloche droite. Cette façon de frapper " 合桴 Awase-bachi, combinaison de mailloches " est une méthode fondamentale pour frapper le Taiko.

③　鉦鼓 : Shôko (gong)
C'est le seul instrument fabriqué en métal dans le Gagaku. Une forme d'assiette en cuivre est fixée par les trois côtés au moyen de cordes à l'intérieur d'un cadre rond en bois. Le joueur joue de cet instrument en tenant les extrémités basses de deux mailloches. On ne dit pas " frapper " mais " traîner " pour jouer le Shôko. Il y a deux façons de traîner : traîner avec une seule mailloche ou deux mailloches en même temps. Lorsqu'on traîne avec deux mailloches, on traîne d'abord la mailloche gauche plus rapidement que l'autre.
Le Shoko orne dans l'orchestration le son du Taiko ou du Kakko par sa haute sonorité caractéristique de la matière métallique. C'est pour cette raison que le Shoko est souvent joué en accompagnement du Taiko et frappé légèrement en retard par rapport au Taiko.

⑦　笏拍子 : Shaku-byôshi (claquette en bois)
C'est l'instrument le plus simple parmi les instruments du Gagaku. Il ressemble à un sceptre en bois coupé verticalement que portaient les nobles à l'époque d'Heian.
La partie gauche est placée verticalement avec le côté coupé vers le joueur, tandis que la partie droite est placée horizontalement avec le côté coupé vers la gauche. C'est en frappant ces deux parties qu'on sort le son. On l'utilise pour " Utai-mono " tels que " Saibara " ou " Kuniburi-no-utamai ".

(2)　弾物 : Hikimono, les instruments à cordes

①　琵琶 : Biwa (luth)
On l'appelle " Gaku-biwa " pour le distinguer d'autres différents types de " Biwa ". L'origine de cet instrument se trouve en Perse, l'Iran actuel. Il fut apporté au Japon par la route de la soie à l'époque de Nara, aux environs du 8ème siècle. L'instrument qui a été apporté en Europe est devenu le luth et aujourd'hui la guitare. Le Biwa pour le Gagaku est le plus gros parmi toutes les sortes de Biwa au Japon. La sonorité qui sort de cet instrument fabriqué en bois de marronnier ou de poirier et qui résonne grâce aux cordes en soie, est suffisamment puissante malgré l'orchestration du Gagaku où se réunissent des instruments qui produisent un grand volume sonore. Dans le morceau, il joue le rôle de déterminer la tête pour le rythme. Il a quatre cordes et quatre frettes.
On le porte horizontalement et on joue avec le plectre. Ce n'est pas pour jouer une mélodie, mais, on le joue fondamentalement par la méthode de l'arpège, de façon qu'on fait sonner simultanément plusieurs cordes, partant de la note basse vers la note haute.

②　箏 : Sô (harpe)
Pour distinguer des autres Sô, on l'appelle le " Gaku-Sô ". Il est venu de Chine à l'époque de Nara au 8ème siècle. Comme la harpe chinoise s'est répandue non seulement au Japon, mais aussi en Corée, en Mongolie ou en Indonésie, on peut voir le même type d'instrument dans une vaste région à l'Est de l'Asie.
Les cordes sont au nombre de treize et sont produites en soie tortillée. Pour l'accordage, on introduit les frettes entre le corps de l'instrument et chaque corde.
Quand on en joue, on met des ongles en bambou au pouce, à l'index et au majeur de la main droite. Il y a en gros deux façons de jouer selon l'ambiance des morceaux : " 早掻 Haya-gaki" qui joue légèrement et "閑掻 Shizu-gaki" qui joue lentement.
Le Biwa se charge du rôle de déterminer la tête de chaque phrase, tandis que le Sô se charge du tempo dans chaque morceau.

③　和琴 : Wagon (harpe japonaise)
C'est une sorte de Sô avec six cordes utilisé pour jouer les chants et la danse (Kuniburi-no-utamai) qui existe depuis l'antiquité du Japon. La plupart de ces instruments sont fabriqués en paulownia.
Les frettes sont faites à partir de branches d'érable. On joue de cet instrument en portant à baso de main droite le plectre produit à base de bekko (écailles de tortue imbriquée) d'une longueur d'environ 7 cm et également par les doigts de la main gauche.

(3)　吹物 : Fukimono, les Instruments à vent

③　龍笛 : Ryûteki (sorte de flûte traversière)
④　高麗笛 : Koma-bue
⑤　神楽笛 : Kagura-bue
Il y a trois sortes de flûte traversière dans le Gagaku : le Ryûteki, le Koma-bue et le Kagura-bue. Parmi ces trois, c'est seulement le Ryûteki qui est utilisé pour la représentation du Kangen. Il est aussi appelé " 主笛 Omo-bue ".
L'étendue de son est plus large que le Hichiriki qui se charge de la mélodie principale. C'est pourquoi il joue d'une manière ornementale.
Pour les hommes de l'époque Heian, la flûte était un instrument de base pour la connaissance de la musique. Vous pouvez lire au sujet de plusieurs bons joueurs de flûte dans " le Dit de Genji ".
Le Koma-bue est principalement utilisé pour la musique chinoise Koma-gaku, tandis que le Kagura-bue pour la musique japonaise Kuniburi-no-utamai.
On dit que si le Ryûteki s'écrit " la flûte du dragon ", c'est parce que le son du Ryuteki ressemble au cri du dragon (" ryû ") qui s'envole dans l'espace.

Le microcosme de Ciel/Terre/Dragon
Nous venons d'expliquer les instruments à vent. Ces trois instruments à vent sont joués ordinairement par trois joueurs pour chacun de ces instruments et pour jouer la mélodie et l'harmonie de répertoire.
Le Shô symbolise la voie venue du ciel où vit le fenghuang, le Hichiriki exprime celle venue de la terre où vit l'homme, et enfin le Ryûteki celle du dragon qui se déplace librement entre le ciel et la terre. Le concert exprimé par ces trois instruments forme ainsi le microcosme.

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Dans le terme du Gagaku, les instruments à percussion s'appellent " 打物 Uchimono, instrument à taper ", les instruments à cordes " 弾物 Hikimono, instrument à tirer " et les instruments à vent " 吹物 Fukimono, instrument à souffler ".

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Es un plat típic de japó.
La base son uns fideus fets amb farina i un caldo dashi(brou de peix), salsa de soja i mirin, que li solen afegir ceba de berdero o tofu.

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L'onigiri és una bola d'arròs farcida amb diferents ingredients com: tonyina,anguila, salmó o verdures.

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El plat conté un brou deliciós amb racions de carn de porc, ou, pasta de peix (Naruto) i diverses verdures, entre elles cebes, all i fins algues.

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Es un plat tipic de  japó.
Són boletes de pop fetes a la planxa amb salsa de soja.A japó aquest menjar es ven en festivals o en paradetes en mig del carrer

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Takoyaki is the first thing on my wish lists during a holiday in Japan. Takoyaki is a popular Japanese snack, little round dough balls containing pieces of octopus. The word tako means octopus and yaki means grilled. It is topped with takoyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise, but I like to use okonomi sauce in place of takoyaki sauce. It's often topped with seaweed flakes and dried bonito flakes, but you can personalise it any way you like. Takoyaki is best eaten while piping hot, butut be careful! The little balls are extremely hot.

Takoyaki originated in Osaka City, in the western Kansai region of Japan. For Osaka people, takoyaki is seen as not just a snack, but a meal in itself. Takoyaki is more of a festival food for me, someone from Kanto region, because takoyaki is usually bought from food stalls at Summer festivals. Whenever I go to festivals I make sure to buy takoyaki.

Photo Credit. Takoyaki stall.

There are some takoyaki restaurants selected by the Michelin Guide in Kyoto and Osaka. Aizuya Honten, which created takoyaki, was selected for 2016 and 2017. The shop is a bit far from the center of Osaka, but there's also a takoyaki shop at Namba station.
There are also takoyaki restaurants in the Kanto area. I've tried Gindako, a popular fast food style chain, next to Omiya station. They make takoyaki right next to the cash register! They also offer seasonal menus, including cod roe, and cheese. Try the original 8 piece.

I tried to eat it in one bite, but it was extremely hot... Outside is crisp and the inside is nice and soft. Some people grab takoyaki by themselves as a quick snack to tide them over until dinner time.

If you want to make takoyaki at home, you need a specially shaped pan. Most Japanese families have one at home, and put it over a gas stove to use it.
Photo Credit.
I used to have an electronic Takoyaki pan. It's more convenient for when you invite friends over, and when you hold a tako-pa (a takoyaki party!). Tako-pa are a favourite of younger Japanese groups of friends as they're really cheap to make.

Photo Credit.
Takoyaki always reminds me of an anime, called 'Takoyaki Mantoman'. When I was a kid, I liked all the cute takoyaki characters. The story is five takoyaki superheroes fight to protect Earth from aliens. I still remember the opening song. Once you listen to the song, you can't forget it even if you don't understand the lyrics.

If you're interested in takoyaki and want to learn more, why don't you join our next cooking class! We will introduce how to make Takoyaki & Okonomiyaki. Click here for details.
Osaka style Okonomiyaki ＆ Takoyaki
February 11 (Sat) and 12 (Sun)
Lunch 11AM - 2PM
Dinner 3PM - 6PM
Limited to 10 tickets per class only

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Takoyaki - Learn more about the Osaka snack | Washoku Lovers

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Takoyaki is the first thing on my wish lists during a holiday in Japan. Takoyaki is a popular Japanese snack, little round dough balls containing pieces of octopus. The word tako means octopus and yaki means grilled. It is topped with takoyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise, but I like to use okonomi sauce in place of takoyaki sauce.