Japan, an island country located along the Pacific rim in Asia, has a population of over 125 million people. Gagaku 雅楽 [Ga-gaku] (meaning “elegant music”) is the classical music and dance of the Imperial Court of Japan. It was first imported from China in the 8th century. The original Chinese court music, called yayue, blended with Korean influences and native Japanese musical traditions to form gagaku, which has been performed in Japan for over 1300 years. Gagaku is recognized as one of the oldest living court traditions in the world, and was used in Buddhist temples in Japan around the eighteenth century. This lesson will open your ears to the music, instruments, and sounds of Japanese gagaku. Learn about the history of gagaku through the different instruments and sounds of the gagaku ensemble. You will also have a chance to sing along with a well-known gagaku song and play body percussion alongside the drums.

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

1. What Is Gagaku?

   • Describe the history and origins of gagaku music.
   • Aurally identify the difference between European and Japanese classical music and learn about gagaku's influence in contemporary culture.
   • 20–25 minutes

2. Sounds of Gagaku

   • Identify and describe the sounds of three instruments from the gagaku ensemble (shō, ryūteki, and hichiriki).
   • 15–20 minutes

3. Performing Gagaku

   • Perform a section from a famous gagaku song.
   • Perform rhythms played on the drum used for gagaku.
   • 15–20 minutes