雅楽の解説(英語)

Gagaku

1.Gagaku

　　”Gagaku” is a term originally used in contrast with ”Zokugaku” （popular music）and　meana classical music.”Gagaku” in this sense existed in China and Korea， but is different　from Japanese ”Gagaku” in music itself.

　　”Gagaku”in Japan covers the whole of its most ancient， cassical music and dances，pefected generally in the 10th century，on the basis of or under the influence of native　Japanese songs and dances and the instrumental music and dances of countries of the　Asiatic Continent.

　　lt used to be performed mainly at the lmperial court， in aristocratic society， and at　important shrines and temples.

　　Lts　standards are now set by ”Gagaku” as handed down to the Music Department of the　lmperia1 Household Agency･

2.Kinds of Gagaku

　　　There are the following three kinds of Gagaku according to places of origin and routes　of introduction: ”Kuniburi-no,Utamai” （native-stylesongs and dances），”Gakubu of　continental origin”（music and dances）and ”Utai-Mono” （vocal pieces）.

､（1）Kuniburi-no-Utamai(native-style songs and dances，

　　　　　e,g. ”Kagura” and ”Azuma-Asobi”）　　　　　lt consists of vocal pieces and corresponding dances perfected in the 10th century　　on the basis of primitive songs or dances of ancient Japan. Among them are ”Kagura,”　　　

”Azuma-Asobi,”“Yamato-Uta”and ”Kume-Mai.”They are also referred to as ”songs and dances of ancient times”， or ”native songs and dances of Japan”.They were improved into their present form in the 10th century.They were influenced by　music and dances of continental origin.lt is espcially to be noted that ”Hichiriki,”a foreign wind instrument， was introduced in the accompaniment.

　　　（2）Gakubu of Continental origin （”Togaku ” and ”Komagaku”）

　　　　　lt consists of ”Togaku,”Chinese music， and ”Komagaku,”Korean music.They are instrumental music and dances， developed into perfection in the 10th century， on

the basis of music and dances of countries of the Asiatic Continent introduced to Japan

　by way of China and Korea during about 400 years from the 5th to the beginning　of the 9th century.

　　　During the early　history of Japan down to the Nara Period (710-794)，various foreing　music and dances were performed in almost the same manner as when they were　first imported. During the Heian Period (7944191)，they were gradually rearranged　and Japanized.

　They came to be classified， according to their origins， into the Left School and the　Right Schoo1， which differed from each other in the arrangement of instruments　The Left School， which called "Togaku" (Chinese music)，is based on music and　dances originating in China， Centra1 Asia， and lndia.The Right Schoo1， which is　called "Komagaku" (Korean music)，

is based on music and dances originatig　mostly in Korea， and Manchuria (Northeast China).

　　　They were also classified into "Kangen" (wind and strings)and¨Bugaku"(dances　and music)，which differ from each other in the form and technique of performance.

　　　Moreover，foreign instruments were adopted or discarded， so that the organization

　of the ensemble developed into that of sma11-scale chamber music.Ｗhile such a great　evolution of the imported music and dances was taking place， an increasing number　of compositions andarrangements came to be done by Japanese， and thus was　perfected Japan's own "Gagaku"， highly delicate and graceful as it is today.

(3)Utai-Mono(vocj pieces,"Saibara" and "Roei"，
　　　They are vocal music， composed under the influence of continental music in the Heian・･　Period(794-1191)and sung with the accompaniment of Chineseinstruments.They　comprise "Sjbara,"with words of Japanese folk songs， and "Roei" (recitation)，

　with words of Chinese poems read in Japanese pronunciation.

　　　"Uta-no-Hik6" is the chanting of Japanese poems with special melody (performed　e･g. at the New Year lmperiaｌ Poetry Party).lt is not included in Gagaku， since it　has no accompaniment of instruments.

3.Forms of Performance of Gagaku

　There are three forms of performace of Gagaku，according to its kinds mentioned above:”Kangen”（wind and strings），”Bugaku”（dances and music），and ”Kayo” （songs andrecitations）.

(１)　Kangen（wind and strings）

　　　lt is a performance with Gagaku instruments， namely，three wind instruments（”Sho,”　”Hichiriki,”and ”Ryateki”），two string instruments （”Biwa” and ”So”），and three　percussion instruments （”Kakko,””Taiko,”and ”Shoko”）.
　　　ln Kangen，the wind instruments play the main part.”Hichiriki” plays the main　theme，”Ryateki” plays the same， but somewhat omamentally， and ”Sho” provides the　chord.The percussion provides the rhythm， so do the､strings.

　　　The instruments are played slowly and delicately.ln the under-mentioned　”Bugaku,”they are played vigorously.

　　　”Saibara” and ”Roei” of the under-mentioned ”Kayo” are occasionaUy performed　as part of the ”Kangen” program.

（2）Bugaku（dances and music）

　　　ln this form， dances are performed to the accompaniment of music.The dances　are divided into three kinds: ”Kuniburi-no-Mai”（native style dances），”Sa-no-Mai”　（Left-School dances）accompanied by ”Togaku” （Chinese music）and ”U-no-Mai”　（Right-School dances）accompanied generally by ”Komagaku” （Korean music）.
　1）Kuniburi-no-Mai（native-style dances）

　　　　The dances areelegant and dignified， though the costurnes and dances are both　　　plain and simple.

　　　　Songsare acconlpanied by Janeseinstruments and thoseof foreign origin.

　2）Sa-no-Mai（Left-School dances）

　　　　The costumes of red or similar hues are used as a rule.The dancers come upon　　　the stage from the left side as one faces it and danceto the tune of the wind　　　instruments.

　　　　The accompaniment is played by the three wind and three percussion instruments，

　　and the string instruments are not generaHy used.

　3）U-no-Mai（Right-School dances）

　　　　The costumes of green or similar hues are used as a rule. The dancers come up　　　on the stage from the right sideonefaces it.The accompaniment is　unlike the　　　Left-School dances， ”Sh6”（a wind instrument）is not generally used， and ”Koma，

　　　Bue” instead of ”Ryateki” and ”San-no-Thuzumi”（a percussion instrument）instead　　　of ”Kakko”are used for accompaniment.The string instruments are never used.

　　　　Dances are performed to the rhythm of ”San-no,Thuzumi” and the dram.

（3）Kayo（songs and recitations）

　　　They indude ”Kuniburi-no-Uta” （native-stylesongs）based on primitive

Japnese　songs，”Saibara” and ”Roei.，influenced by music of the Asiatic Continent.

　1）”Kuniburi-no-Uta”（native-stylesongs）are accornpanied by Japaneseinstruments，

　　　such as ”Wagon” and ”Kagura-Bue”， and instruments of foreign origin ， and as”Hichiriki,” ”Ryateki，（sometimes to take the place of ”Kagura-Bue”），and ”Koma-Bue”，”Sho”is never used.They are sung in a gracefulnlannerto the beating of　　　time by ”Shaku-Byoshi”

2）”Saibara” is a form of singing accompanied by the three wind and tow　instruments.The songs are popular Japanese folk songs and are sung rhyth　to the beating of time by ”Shaku-Byoshi”.
3）”Roei”（recitation）

Theacconlpaniment is played by the three wind instruments only and elegantChinese poems are recited in Japanese pronunciation without a rhythm.

　ln all these forms of ”Kayo” （vocj music），the songs are sung in solo at theoutset of the stanza and thereafter in unison by all members of the chorus.Thewind instruments are each played by the principal player alone.　”Sho” plays the timein the case of singing， while it plays the chord in the case of ”Kangen” and”Bugaku”.

４．ＣｕｌｔｕｒａｌｖａｌｕｅｏｆＧａｇａｋｕ

Gagaku has various kinds and forms of performance as described above， all of which

have atradition ofover10 centuries.lt has a precious historical value， as the most musicalcultural property.As played by the musicians of the Music Department of the lmperial Household，it was designated as important intangible cultural property of the country.

　lt has a high artistic value， using forms and instruments different from those of Westernmusic.Especially its highly artistic scheme of harmony and tonesystem will be able tomake a great contribution to the creation and development of contemporary music， andit has in itself a potential to develop into a universal art.