Japan's Musical Tradition
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 recita...
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 recita...
