Japanese Folk Music Style – An Introduction

Japanese folk music is characterized by a wide variety of instruments and vocal styles. In this post, we’ll give you a quick introduction to the genre.

What is Japanese folk music?

Japanese folk music, also called min’yō, is the music of the Japanese people that developed from ancient times. It includes a wide variety of genres and styles, from ballads and dance music to work songs and religious music. Each region of Japan has its own unique folk music traditions, which reflect the history and culture of the area. Japanese folk music is an important part of the country’s musical heritage and is still performed today by both professional and amateur musicians.

The history of Japanese folk music

The history of Japanese folk music is deeply entwined with the history of the Japanese people. It is impossible to know exactly when folk music first began in Japan, but we do know that it was an integral part of the lives of the early Japanese people. Folk music was used for a variety of purposes, including religious ceremonies, harvest festivals, and weddings.

As Buddhism began to take hold in Japan in the sixth century, Buddhist monks began to travel throughout the country, spreading the new religion. They also brought with them new musical instruments and styles of music. This helped to create a more diverse musical landscape in Japan.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. This was a time when many forms of popular entertainment were banned, including folk music. However, folk musicians continued to perform in secret, and their music eventually found its way back into the mainstream.

In more recent years, traditional Japanese folk music has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Thanks to modern technology, it is now possible for people all over the world to enjoy this unique and beautiful form of music.

The different styles of Japanese folk music

Japanese folk music (min’yō) is music that developed in Japan. The term “folk music” is used to terminology for all traditional music, including min’yō. Min’yō means “the people’s music”. And, like folk music in other parts of the world, Japanese folk music has been created and performed by people who normally lead lives quite different from those of professional musicians.

Min’yō includes a wide variety of musical styles and genres, which are generally divided into three main categories: hichiriki-bushi, shakuhachi-bushi, and biwa-bushi. These categories are further divided into subcategories.

The hichiriki is a Japanese traditional double reed wind instrument. It was used as one of the melodic instruments in gagaku, Japanese imperial court music, but is seldom used today. The shakuhachi is a Japanese end-blown flute made of bamboo that is used in traditional Japanese music. The biwa is a short-necked fretted lute of Japan. It was popular among the aristocracy during the Heian period and early Muromachi period.

The following are some of the most common styles of min’yō:

1) Hichiriki-bushi: This style originated from the imperial court music of gagaku and has been passed down through the generations by professional musicians belonging to the Imperial Household Agency.

2) Shakuhachi-bushi: This style developed from the religious music played by Buddhist monks on the shakuhachi flute. The most famous piece of shakuhachi-bushi is “Reibo” (“The Soul of a Road”).
3) Biwa-bushi: This style developed from the narrative storytelling tradition known as Sangin or San’in biwa hoshi (“traveling blind bard”). In this tradition, Biwa Hoshi would travel from village to village and play their biwa while singing tales of heroes or other stories from folklore.
4) Tsugaru-jamisen: This style developed in the Tsugaru region of Aomori prefecture in northern Japan and is characterized by its fast tempo and use of techniques such as strumming and rapid hand movements on the strings.
5) Okinawan folk songs (minzoku uta): These songs originated in Okinawa prefecture and are characterized by their use of pentatonic scales and simple melody lines.

The instruments used in Japanese folk music

Traditional Japanese folk music is often played with a variety of instruments, including the shamisen (a three-stringed lute), the koto (a 13-stringed zither), the fue (flute), and taiko drums. Folk songs often tell stories of the daily lives of Japanese peasants, as well as tales of samurai warriors and other historic figures.

The lyrics and themes of Japanese folk music

Japanese folk music (min’yō) is characterized by its simplicity, euphony, and graceful melodies. The lyrics and themes of Japanese folk songs often reflect the daily life and work of the people, as well as nature and love. Folk songs from different regions of Japan often have distinctively different musical styles, though there are also similarities between them.

The role of Japanese folk music in society

Japanese folk music is deeply entwined with the country’s history and traditions. It has been used as a way to express religious beliefs, social organisation and cultural identity. For centuries, folk music was an oral tradition that was only passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. In more recent times, Japanese folk music has been increasingly documented and performed by professional musicians.

Japanese folk music can be divided into two main categories: work songs and religious songs. Work songs were typically sung while performing a certain task, such as farming or fishing. They were often unaccompanied or simply accompanied by a single instrument. Religious songs, on the other hand, were sung during ceremonies or rituals. These songs were often more complex, with multiple instruments and vocal parts.

Japanese folk music has had a significant impact on the development of the country’s modern popular music scene. Many of Japan’s most famous pop and rock musicians have been heavily influenced by folk music. Folk song melodies and instrumentation can often be heard in popular songs today.

The popularity of Japanese folk music

Japanese folk music, also known as min’yō, is a genre of music that has been enjoyed by the Japanese people for centuries. In recent years, the popularity of Japanese folk music has begun to spread to other parts of the world, thanks in part to the internet and social media.

There are many different styles of Japanese folk music, each with its own unique history and sound. Some of the most popular styles include:

-Enka: A style of music that originated in the city of Osaka in the late 19th century. Enka is characterized by its sentimental lyrics and emotional vocals.
-Hokkaido ainu music: A style of music that originated with the Ainu people, an indigenous people of Japan who live on the island of Hokkaido. Ainu music is characterized by its use of thunder drums and natural sounds.
-Kantô-ryû: A style of music from the Kantō region in central Japan. Kantō-ryū is characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the shamisen (a three-stringed Japanese instrument) and taiko drums.
-Tsugaru shamisen: A style of music from the Tsugaru region in northern Japan. Tsugaru shamisen is characterized by its fast tempo and technical virtuosity.

The future of Japanese folk music

As the world becomes more and more digitized, it’s important to remember the value of tradition. For millennia, people have been passing down stories, customs, and art through the generations, and music is no exception. Folk music is the music of the people, and in Japan, that music is alive and well. From the twang of the shamisen to the energetic sounds of taiko drums, Japanese folk music has a wide range of styles that are sure to please any listener.

However, like all forms of music, Japanese folk music is constantly evolving. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of incorporating modern elements into traditional songs. This has led to a new generation of folk musicians who are infusing their own unique spin on classic tunes.

So what does the future hold for Japanese folk music? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: as long as there are people passionate about keeping this musical traditions alive, Japanese folk music will continue to delight audiences for years to come.

Japanese folk music in the media

Japanese folk music has a long and rich history, dating back thousands of years. It is an integral part of the country’s culture, and can be heard in a variety of settings, from traditional festivals to modern pop songs.

Japanese folk music is often used in the media, particularly in television and film. It can be heard in commercials, anime, and video games. It is also popular in the west, where it has been used in a number of films and television shows.

Japanese folk music in popular culture

Japanese folk music, also known as min’yō, has been around for centuries and is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. In recent years, it has begun to appear more often in popular culture, including in anime, video games, and film.

Some of the most famous examples of min’yō in popular culture include “Auld Lang Syne” from the film Spirited Away, “Yuki no Hana” from the anime series Attack on Titan, and “Shinonome” from the video game NieR: Automata.

While min’yō is often associated with traditional instruments like the shamisen and koto, it can also be played with more modern instrumentation. This makes it a versatile genre that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.