Japanese Musical Instruments
Japanese Musical Instruments
Japanese Musical Instruments
instruments
of japan
Music Learning Resource 2.1
Classification of
JAPANESE Musical
Membra Instruments
Chordop Aerophon
nophone
-vibration of a - hone
vibration of a - e
vibrating air
stretched skin or string or strings (blowing)
(strumming or
membrane of the
plucking)
instrument
preferably drums
and tambourines.
membranophone
Odaiko
● It means a BIG DRUM
and the world’s largest is
almost 10 feet in
diameter.
membranophone
Tsuzumi
(Hour-Glass Shaped)
tsuridaiko
● A large hanging barrel drum that
is used in Gagaku ensemble.
membranophone
Taiko
● Drums played in
Shinto and Buddhist
festivals.
chordophone
koto
● The thirteen strings of the koto are stretched along a soundboard of
nearly two meters.
chordophone
shamisen
● 3-string long-necked lute, used to
accompany folk songs.
chordophone
biwa
● a Japanese short-necked
fretted lute, often used in
narrative story telling.
aerophpone
Shakuh
Nokan
● achi
The most famous flute made
from bamboo.
● A parallel bamboo flute and the only
melodic instrument used in NOH
aerophpone
Hichirik
sho
● i
A double reed Japanese flute ● A Japanese free reed musical
instrument that was introduced from
China during the Nara period.
aerophpone
Shinobu
Ryuteki
● e
A vertical flute made from the
lower portion of the bamboo stem
● Literally means “Dragon Flute”, a
Japanese transverse fue made of
bamboo.