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Behind the Frenetic Kabuki Music: Do you know how these exquisite music inspire dramatic tension?
In traditional Japanese culture, music is regarded as an important part of artistic expression, especially in theater performances such as Kabuki and Noh drama, where music is not just a foil, but a key driver of emotions and storylines. There is rich history, exquisite technique and profound cultural significance behind these musical forms, allowing the audience to feel strong emotional fluctuations when watching the performance.
The core of traditional Japanese music: the fervent Kabuki and Noh drama
Traditional Japanese music can be roughly divided into three major categories: opera music, court music and instrumental music. Kabuki and Noh are dramatic forms in which music plays an important role, especially in the expression of emotions. Noh theater is known for its solemn and elegant atmosphere, while kabuki captivates the audience with its gorgeous visual and auditory experience.
Music of Noh drama
Noh music is mainly performed by a group of instruments called hayashi-kata, which include taiko, ōtsuzumi, kotsuzumi and nohkan. The melody played by these musical instruments not only enhances the tension of the plot, but also enhances the overall atmosphere.
Kabuki music style
Kabuki music is more diverse and can be divided into geza, shosa-ongaku, ki and tsuke according to its purpose. Geza music is mainly played behind the scenes, including uta with singing and aikata with only instrumental accompaniment. Shosa-ongaku is performed simultaneously with the actors' performances, and the rhythm of the music is often closely linked to the actors' movements.
In this music, takemoto is responsible for interpreting the plot, while nagauta, a widely used geza form, demonstrates delicate and elegant tones.
The influence of classical court music gagaku
As the oldest musical form in Japan, gagaku is usually performed in the royal family or in shrines, and its music incorporates elements from China and Korea. Whether it is instrumental or vocal music, gagaku has unparalleled elegance, and its musical form has a profound influence on subsequent traditional music.
The intertwining of temple music and Buddhist music
Another major musical form is shōmyō, a form of Buddhist chanting music usually sung by a male choir. This method of chanting closely combines music with religious significance and strengthens spiritual upliftment.
The integration of music and modern culture
Traditional music continues to evolve in modern times, with many traditional musicians collaborating with Western musicians and creating new musical styles. Although these new styles borrowed elements from Western music, they still retained traditional instruments and performance methods.
Introduction to traditional musical instruments
Japan has a variety of traditional musical instruments, from stringed instruments to wind instruments, including the pipa, shamisen, shakuhachi, and more, each of which plays a unique role in their music and has its own style and performance techniques.
For example, the Shakuhachi instrument was used by monks as a substitute for chanting sutras during the Edo period. Although its integration with other instruments has made it more diversified, it has always retained its original mystery and spirituality.
Summary: The dramatic tension of music
As an important part of Japanese traditional culture, music is not only an auxiliary to the stage plot, but also the main channel for emotional expression. In Kabuki and Noh drama, the stimulation and regulation of music are crucial to the advancement of the entire story. This inspired the audience's emotional resonance with the plot, and also gave their visual and auditory reception an extraordinary shock. How many cultural treasures and emotional resonances are hidden behind these exquisite music?
