For those of you who have played a role in getting me safely though the social intricacies of Japan, I have another assignment. This evening at a reception, there were two Japanese musicians playing traditional music. Of course, I've heard this style of music, but I never knew the names of the instruments. I've posted a couple of photos. Can you help me identify the names of these traditional instruments?
PS I'm turning this assignment over to you. It's 3:20 in the morning, and I'm going to try to get some sleep. Jet lag is for real!
PS I'm turning this assignment over to you. It's 3:20 in the morning, and I'm going to try to get some sleep. Jet lag is for real!
5 comments:
Hey Mr. Lahr!
So glad to see that you have posted another blog!!! So the musical instrument that the guy is holding, is most likely to be a flute(a wooden flute.) And the one that the girl has is a Koto, also known as a Japanese floor harp. Well hope you are having fun WAY over there in Japan!!!
Sincerely,
Breanna D.
Hello Mr. Lahr,
I believe the flute type thing is called a shakuhachi, while the long, stringed one is probably called the koto. The shakuhachi is a Japanese end-blown flute, which is held vertically like a recorder, instead of transversely like the Western flutes. Its name means "1.8 foot", which is its size. It is traditionally made of bamboo, but versions now exist in wood and plastic. When it was first invented, it was used by the monks of the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism in the practice of suizen, which is a blowing meditation. The koto is the national instrument of Japan.Koto are about 180 centimetres long and have 13 strings that are strung over 13 movable bridges along the length of the instrument itself. Players can adjust the string pitches by moving these bridges before playing, and use three finger picks to pluck the strings. It works much like a guitar and the tuning are pretty much the same thing. Although, instead of using one pick, you use three. Very unique!
Your EPIC Student,
Akash Salam
Ultimate Math Matician
U.M.M. is the BOMB!
P.S. Good to be first!
P.S.S. How is your trip going Mr. Lahr?
Neat photos!
You sure have some dedicated students when it comes to finding information for you!
Uncle Jeff,
I liked looking at your Blog. Japan looks pretty interesting. I have always wanted to go there.
Love,
Madi
Akash, gets it right again! You guys never fail to amaze me.
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