Episode 50 takes us to Japan, and I have to say — this one was so fun to put together.
Japan has one of the most distinct musical traditions in the world, and a lot of it comes from a really different place than Western music. In this episode, we dig into some of the oldest forms of Japanese music: Shomyo (sacred Buddhist chanting), Gagaku (the ancient court music that’s been around for over a thousand years), and the music of Noh and Kabuki theater. Each one is tied closely to Japanese culture, religion, and storytelling in a way that feels almost inseparable from the history of the country itself.
One of my favorite things we talk about in this episode is the Japanese concept of ma — which is basically the idea that silence is part of the music, not just the absence of it. The pauses matter. The space matters. It’s such a beautiful way to think about sound, and honestly, it made me hear music a little differently after learning about it.
After you listen, don’t forget to print the Japan passport stamp below and add it to your musical passport!
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Busy Kids Do Music History course
Links for Previous Passport Stamps:
Print your stamp and visit Ireland
Print your stamp and visit Congo
Print the passport and visit Brazil
Musical Samples You’ll Hear in this Episode:
Traditional Japanese Folk and Work Songs
The Kyoto Nohgaku Kai – Japanese Noh Music
Traditional Kabuki Music – Yuzuki
Kabuki on Stage: A Solo Performance at Portland Japanese Garden
Music Listening Schedule for Episode 50
I’ve created a YouTube playlist for you with a variety of visually stunning performances that include much of the music from today’s episode. Check it out here.
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