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- Hichiriki. This ancient flute is said to have been introduced in Japan from China. Unlike other Japanese flutes, the Hichiriki is a vertical flute with a double reed.
- Shakuhachi. Another popular instrument for gagaku, the Shakuhachi also finds its origin from the Chinese culture. Originally, the Shakuhachi was also made from stones and animal teeth besides bamboo.
- Horagai. Horagai is a shell-conch made from the Japanese spiral shellfish. The mystical sounds from Horagai were originally used during religious chanting and sometimes for sending signals during war.
- Shinobue. Shinobue is a simple transverse flute which hardly found association with the nobility. Shinobue has largely been a part of folk traditions, festivals and Kabuki music.
Apr 17, 2024 · 1. Koto. A long, zither-like instrument with 13 strings stretched over movable bridges, played by plucking the strings with picks on the fingers. Koto Japanese Musical Instrument. The Koto is a traditional Japanese string instrument that resembles a large wooden zither.
- Shamisen
- Koto
- Sanshin
- Taishogoto
- Biwa
- Tonkori
- Kokyu
- Conclusion
Shamisen literally means “three strings” in Japanese. The instrument is believed to have been brought into Japan during the Edo period (1603 – 1868) via the Chinese Sanxian and Okinawan Sanshin. Although both Sanxian and Sanshinused to be covered in python skin, the Japanese started using dog and cat skin for their instruments. However, the use of ...
Regarded as Japan’s national instrument, the Koto is a large plucked zither similar to the Chinese Guzheng. It’s fascinating the Koto remained an instrument of the Japanese Imperial Court for a long period of time since it first appeared during the Nara period (710-794). This changed in the 17th century when one of the court’s Koto musicians decide...
Like Shamisen, Sanshin also means “three strings” in Japanese. Similar to Shamisen, it bears close resemblance to the Chinese instrument Sanxian, but with apparent differences. Sanshin is the national instrument of Okinawa (one of the Japanese islands) and has a body made of snakeskin, as opposed to cat or dog skin on the Shamisen. Another major po...
Taishogoto is a much more recent Japanese Stringed Instrument than some others on this list. It was developed in 1912 (during the Taisho period) by Goro Morita in the city of Nagoya, hence the name “Nagoya Harp.” The inspiration behind this unique variation of Koto is typewriters – Yes, you heard that right! Morita was influenced by Western instrum...
Biwa is another popular Japanese String instrument with a long history & cultural significance. It’s derived from the Chinese Pipaand bears a strong resemblance to it – pear-shaped body, short neck, and four strings. However, it differs greatly in terms of the sound and how it’s played. Biwa typically consists of 4 or 5 strings and 4 to 6 frets, mu...
The Tonkori is a Japanese musical instrument developed in Sakhalin and played by the Ainu people of Hokkaido and other Northern regions. The instrument is fretless and is made from a single piece of Jezo spruce wood. Unlike many other string instruments, the strings on the Tonkori are not fretted (or pressed) and are played open. The instrument com...
Among all the Japanese string instruments, the Kokyu is the only one played with a bow. The instrument looks very much like the Shamisen, albeit much smaller. Like the Shamisen, the Kokyu bears its origins in Okinawa, where it’s called Kucho. The main difference between them is that in Okinawa, the body is round as opposed to the square shape in ma...
Some of these Japanese string Instruments might be considered archaic by the newer generations, but they are still an indispensable part of Japanese music and are used in festivals and concerts all over the country. These instruments are one of the most valuable tools that give us an insight into the thousands of years of authentic tradition. The i...
Mar 3, 2024 · Traditional Japanese music is characterized by a unique array of instruments, each with its distinct sound and cultural significance. From the elegant strings of the koto to the powerful beats of the taiko drum, these instruments have played a vital role in shaping Japan’s musical landscape.
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Apr 6, 2024 · Traditional Japanese instruments, also known as wagakki, are musical instruments that have a rich history and are an integral part of Japanese music culture. They include wind instruments, string instruments, and percussion instruments, each with their own unique sounds and playing techniques.
- End-blown flute
- Vertical
- Bamboo
- Wide
Mar 5, 2023 · With percussive, stringed, and wind instruments all represented, the spectrum of traditional Japanese instruments is varied, and the sounds they produce are colorful and unique. Here are twelve of our favorite Japanese traditional instruments – some you’ll surely recognize and a few you may not have encountered before.
Every instrument and melody holds a deep meaning and reflects the country’s history and traditions. In this article, we’ll explore the instruments and melodies that define traditional Japanese music and how they have influenced modern music. Japanese music has a unique sound that is both captivating and soothing.
