Music Genres
Culture and Geography
Instruments
Theater
Wild Card
100
What is Buddhist chanting called and when where was it imported from?
Shomyo, and it was imported from China and Korea
100
What are the four main islands of Japan?
Honshu, Kyushu, Hokkaido, Shioku
100
What is a shakuhachi?
A vertical bamboo flute
100
Describe the lion dance (shishi-mai) and explain its purpose
The lion costume covers several people inside the lions body and the jaws clack together. This brings good luck to the villagers.
100
What is the most distinctive musical aspect of Kabuki?
Up to four different ensembles are used
200
Ancient orchestral Japanese music is called what?
gagaku
200
Name and describe the two major religions of Japan.
Buddhism -achieve void when meditating to experience a truth. Shinto -a tradition of prayer and ritual associated with an ancient body of music
200
Define: Zither.
a musical instrument consisting of a flat wooden sound box with numerous strings stretched across it
200
Which type of theater uses subtle gestures and simple sets?
Noh
200
Describe Enka music and how it became popular.
During the American occupation, sappy nostalgic love songs became popular.
300
What three main groups are Gagaku orchestras divided into
wind percussion string
300
How did the Japanese introduce Western music into their schools?
They brought over specialists to help establish a program.
300
How does the ko-tsuzumi work?
The ropes that are laced through the head and are squeezed to adjust the pitch.
300
What is Bunraku?
A Japanese puppet show
300
What are the 4 differences between Noh and Kabuki?
Noh is smaller, has subtle gestures, uses simple props, and exemplifies "ma"
400
Explain how the classical repertory for honkyoku became established.
It was originally associated with court music, and then evolved into meditative music.
400
What does noisecore represent in modern day Japan?
The urban crowded culture that directly conflicts with the more contemplative past.
400
How is koto music different from shakuhachi music?
The shakuhachi repertoire is nonpulsatile. The koto is based on phrases called “dan”.
400
What the the ensemble of Noh made up of?
a bamboo flute and 3 drums, 2 or 3 actors, and a small male chorus
400
Correctly name and spell all 4 islands of Japan

 Honshu, Kyushu, Hokkaido, Shioku

500
How long do Gagaku performances last and describe the sections that they are divided into.
These performances last from 5-20 minutes. It contains the “jo”, the introduction, “ha” the exposition, and kyu (ending)
500
Explain what “intentional inconvenience” is in the Japanese music tradition.
By deliberately designing obstacles musicians avoid perfection and it forces them to become more creative.
500
Explain how Daihachi Oguchi was inspired to create Taiko drumming.
He had been exploring jazz syncopations. He began to decipher ancient drum notation and combined these concepts
500
What did Noh represent when it was first created in the 14th and 15th centuries?
It was for wealthy people and reflected traditional Buddhist values.
500
Name and describe the 4 elements of music that help distinguish Japanese music from China or Korea.
Scales with Semitones: half steps are used to create tension 

s

Slow Tempos: nonpulsatile 

Sense of Space: Ma, spiritual emptiness

 Prominent classical solo repertoires: solo instruments have their own style and notation

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