Japan's Musical Tradition

<p> What makes Japanese music sound Japanese? Each genre of Japan's pre-Western music (hogaku) morphed from the preceding one with singing at its foundation. In ancient Shinto prayers words of power recited in a prescribed cadence communicated veneration and community needs to the divine spirit (kami). From the prayers Japan's word-based music evolved into increasingly more sophisticated recitations with biwa shamisen and koto accompaniment.</p><p> This examination reveals shortcomings in the typical interpretation of Japanese music from a pitch-based Western perspective and carefully explores how the quintessential musical elements of singing instrumental accompaniment scale and format were transmitted from their Shinto inception through all of Japan's music. Japan's culture with its unique iemoto system and teaching methods served to exactly replicate Japan's music for centuries. Considering Japan's music in the context of its own culture logic and sources is essential to gaining a clear understanding and appreciation of Japan's music and dissipating the mystery of the music's Japaneseness. Greater enjoyment of the music inevitably follows.</p>