Musical Instruments in Sanskrit Literature
by S. Karthick Raj KMoundinya | 2008 | 66,229 words
The essay studies the Musical Instruments in Sanskrit Literature and its relationship with the South Indian musical tradition. The study emphasizes the universal appeal of music and documents how it pervades various aspects of life, art, literature, painting, and sculpture. The thesis further examines the evolution of musical instruments from ancie...
Appendix 7.2 - Musical Instruments from Ancient Japan
[Full title: A view of few Musical Instruments from other Ancient World Cultures (2) Japan]
In traditional Japanese music, there are three general types of instruments - percussion instruments, stringed instruments and wind instruments, mostly flutes. There is a huge range of instruments beyond this scope ranging from bells used in Buddhist ceremonies to various kinds of drums used in gagaku (Imperial court music). Kotsuzumi
375 DRUMS (JAPAN) There are many large Japanese drums, or taiko. Most have two membranes which are nailed or laced and are struck with sticks. The most dramatic is the Odaiko (big drum). The hourglass-shaped tsuzumi was introduced from the Asian continent around the 7 th century and the name is derived from Sanskrit. The kotsuzumi is held on the left thigh. BIWA Stringed Instruments The biwa is a short-necked lute, used from the 7 th century in gagaku, to accompany early puppet plays and also by blind monk entertainers, the Japanese equivalent of travelling minstrels. There are many styles, the most popular being Satsuma biwa which was developed in the 16 th century. The biwa is held almost vertical and played with a large bachi (plectrum).
376 KOTOS The Koto originated in China during the 8 th Century. Its use spread first to Korea, then to Japan. Each country adapted the instrument to its own style of playing. By the 9 th Century, the Koto was being used to entertain officials in the Japanese royal court, which at the time was located in Kyoto. TAIKO DRUMS The legend, mystery, tone, and appearance of Japanese Taiko Drums. ZEN CUP GONGS Traditional Japanese brass bowl gongs. Their bright tones are made by striking or rubbing either the sides or the rims with a striker.
SHAKUHACHI 377 The shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese end-blown flute that is finding ever-increasing favor with all types of musicians. This deceptively simple looking bamboo tube is capable of a beautiful variety of tone colors and has a wonderfully haunting and meditative sound. The name "shakuhachi" literally means 1.8 feet, which is the length of the classical flute. The origin of the shakuhachi has been traced back as far as ancient Egypt, and is presumed to have migrated through India and China before entering Japan in the 6 th C.