Harmony and Heritage: Exploring Traditional Musical Instruments of Japan

It’s easy to fall in love with traditional Japanese music. But behind these harmonious tunes and melodies are the musical instruments that create the sounds. Let’s take a deep dive into the most popular musical instruments of Japan. By the end of this post, you’ll learn about their history, how to identify each one, and what kinds of music you can play with them.

Introduction to Traditional Japanese Musical Instruments

Traditional Japanese musical instruments have a rich heritage dating as far back as the 8th century. The first instrument of Japan, the koto, was an essential part of the music ensemble of the Imperial Court. Since then, more instruments have been either invented by local craftsmen or introduced by foreigners. Today, Japan boasts a wide variety of stringed, percussion, and wind instruments.

These pieces of artistic expression were used to uplift the spirit and entertain the public through traditional folk music. They were played in halls of royalty, ancient cultural ceremonies, festivals, and classical performances. Today, they’re used in TV shows, native theater arts, and festivals. The rest of this post will discuss the musical instruments of Japan by exploring the best ones. 

The Shamisen: Strings of History

The shamisen is a traditional Japanese long-necked lute. This three-string instrument from Japan was the darling of classical theater in the country. It was used in Kabuki theater, puppet plays, and folk music performances. The origins of shamisen are closely linked to its predecessor, the Chinese sanxian, which was introduced to Japan in the Muromachi period (1336–1573). After years of development, the musical instrument evolved into a Japanese version, which is the shamisen we know today.

The wooden body of the shamisen is typically made from red sandalwood or mahogany and encased in animal or synthetic skin. It also has a neck that’s about 1.1 to 1.4 meters long, with three strings attached to it. The shamisen falls under the plucked string category of Japanese musical instruments. Until a few years ago, cat or dog skins were used to cover the wooden body. But this has been discontinued for obvious reasons. Today, most shamisen skins are synthetic.

Shamisen produces a buzzing sound that’s similar to the banjo. You can use it to create a wide variety of Japanese folk music, such as Tsugaru-jamisen, Nagauta, Rōkyoku, and Jiuta. The width of the shamisen’s long neck determines what type of shamisen you have in your hands. The following are the three main types:

• Futozao: thick or wide neck

• Chuuzao: medium-wide neck

• Hosozao: thin or narrow neck

The best place to see shamisen in action is to experience Kabuki theater, Japanese narrative songs, geisha performances, Bunraku (traditional puppet theater), or koto chamber music. 

The Koto: Japan's National Instrument

If we could give an award for the all-time best Japanese instrument, the koto would definitely win it. This long, zither-like instrument is the national instrument of Japan. The first version of the koto was invented in China and had 5 strings. The number of stings gradually increased until the 13-string version was invented and introduced to Japan in the Nara period (710–784). The word “koto” became a term referring to all string instruments in Japan, but this soon changed when the number of different string instruments in the country grew.

The 13 strings of the koto stretch across its wooden sound box. Its entire body has a length of 6 feet, a width of 10 inches, and a thickness of 2 inches. The typical construction of this body involves the use of Paulownia wood as the main material. Ivory was once the preferred material for the bridges, but plastic and wood are common these days. Also, koto strings are made from either plastic or silk.

The koto produces a sound that is not dissimilar to that of a harp or guitar. There are two main playing techniques or styles. The first is the Ikuta style and the second is the Yamada style. Ikuta style uses picks with square edges, while Yamada style uses round-edged picks. There are four main types of koto instruments, each of which originates from a different subculture. These instruments are chikuso, gakuso, zokuso, and tagenso. As a nationwide treasure, every piece of the koto has some cultural significance. It has become a symbol of national identity. Once a part of Japanese court music, koto now plays a significant role in contemporary compositions.

The Shakuhachi: A Bamboo Symphony

Shakuhachi is a long Japanese fruit made of bamboo. It’s known for producing a deep, meditative sound capable of reaching very high volumes. The modern version of shakuhachi has five holes: four at the front and one at the back. When this flute first entered Japan from China in the 6th century, it had six holes.

Shakuhachi was once a tool for practicing blowing meditation (suizen) by Komusō. These were Buddhist monks and followers of Fuke Zen, a special branch of Zen Buddhism. During the rule of the shogunate, the members of the Fuke were given free movement around the country, even though general travel was heavily restricted for the common folk. Soon, spies began to impersonate the Fuke, hoping to enjoy this privilege. Hence, the only way to know a real Fuke was for them to play complex shakuhachi music. The following are the three main types of shakuhachi:

• Jinashi shakuhachi: This is the first shakuhachi. It is entirely handmade and doesn't involve the use of paste. Jinashi shakuhachi is light, durable, and the rarest among the other flutes.

• Jimori shakuhachi: This type of shakuhachi isn’t paste-free. Unlike jinashi, which only involves carving holes, jimori adds pieces to the flute during the carving process.

• Jiari shakuhachi: This shakuhachi has a paste-coated internal cavity. It offers more sound control than any of the other two types.

Taiko Drums: Beating the Rhythmic Soul of Japan

In Japan, the term “taiko” refers to any kind of barrel-shaped drum. Internationally, the term represents a specific type of Japanese drum (wadaiko). In Japan, the word becomes "daiko" and has the appropriate suffix when referring to a particular type of drum. For example, o-daiko (a large barrel-shaped drum) and shime-daiko (a short and wide drum). Taiko can also mean the act of Japanese drumming.

These percussion instruments are usually played at festivals, ceremonial events, and religious rites with sticks known as bachi. Together, the ensemble produces powerful and spectacular sounds. A taiko can produce sounds as loud as jets. In the past, their loud sounds were used to send signals to soldiers in battle. The general belief is that taiko drums in Japan originated in the 6th century CE from similar instruments in China and Korea.

The taiko drum has a wooden body encased in stretchy skin. It also has a lashed or tacked head on which the bachi strikes. There are many different types of taiko, each with their own unique characteristics. The most popular type is nagado daiko, which is popular in Shinto and Buddhist shrines and temples. There are also many regional styles of taiko drumming, including Hachijō-daiko, Eisa, and Miyake-daiko.

In the past, taiko drums were played at religious ceremonies. They were also used in warfare as a way to send instructions to troops on the battlefield. In the modern era, taiko drums play significant roles in traditional dance and music performances. The percussion instrument has gone global, with various taiko groups operating in Brazil, the USA, Canada, and Australia.

The Biwa: Lute of the Samurai

Biwa is a traditional Japanese short-necked, pear-shaped lute. This instrument has been an important tool in narrating epic tales and poems. Biwa is an evolved version of the Chinese bent-neck pipa, which originated in West Asia. The first ever Biwa to arrive in Japan dates back to the 7th century.

Traditional biwa is made of wood. It has a pear-shaped body, a shallow back, and four to five strings. The modern versions tend to have five strings. Biwa music consists of rhythmic sounds with little to no resonance. You’ll find it in various styles of music, such as background music for Buddhist chanting or Japanese court music (gagaku biwa). The music from the lute was traditionally used to provide musical accompaniment for storytelling by samurai. Its most famous use was to recite a Kamakura-era war chronicle titled The Tale of the Heike.

Lesser-Known Treasures: Other Traditional Instruments

There are hundreds of traditional instruments in Japan. However, the five we’ve discussed so far are arguably the most popular ones. Let’s take a quick look at the other traditional Japanese instruments that have influenced the country’s culture:

• Sanshin: This instrument originated in Okinawa, Japan. It’s also the precursor of the shamisen, although it’s smaller.

• Tsuzumi: This is a hand drum shaped like an hourglass. It has cords that you can tighten or release to control the tension on the drum heads and modify their sound. 

• Shō: This is a mouth organ made from 17 bamboo pipes. In the Nara period, the Chinese introduced it to Japan.

• Kokyū: This is the only traditional Japanese string instrument that you play with a bow. 

Craftsmanship and Artistry in Instrument Making

The craftsmanship involved in Japanese traditional musical instruments follows the principles of monozukuri (the art of making things). Each piece must be meticulously selected to ensure that the finished instrument is of the highest possible quality. The materials used to make these instruments range from wood and paper to plastic and silk. It’s the duty of the artist to disclose what materials were used in their work. Artists are also obligated to preserve traditional methods by passing on their skills to future generations.

Traditional Instruments in Modern Japanese Music

Modern genres that rely on western instruments, such as J-pop, heavy metal, and electronic rock, are prevalent in Japan's music scene today. However, even these newer sounds can sometimes contain melodies from traditional instruments. Countless modern Japanese songs have included sounds from koto, taiko drums, and shamisen.

Preserving Tradition: Schools and Performances

Organizations, musicians, and the government are making efforts to preserve and promote traditional Japanese musical instruments. Kids learn about them in school. They also use them in practical classes and during dance performances. Cultural and festival groups in Japan and the rest of the world also ensure that the majority of the instruments used at these events are traditional. Attend any festival with a parade or dance performance if you want to witness these instruments up close. You can also see some Noh and Kabuki theater programs.

Conclusion:

Making melodies and tunes with traditional Japanese instruments is the only way to preserve Japan’s cultural identity in the global musical landscape. These instruments serve as the bridge between ancient entertainment and modern entertainment in the country.

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