The Period of Early Indigenous Music

The Jomon Period (8000BC to 300BC) is known as the era of pottery. The development of culture dates back to 5th century BC. The inhabitants of the Japanese islands were gatherers, fishers, and hunters. During the Yayoi Period (300BC to 250AD) the cultivation of rice was imported to Japan around 100BC. With the introduction of agriculture, social classes evolved and the country began to unite under powerful land owners. During the Yayoi Period, iron and modern ideas were introduced from Korea into Kyushu. Chinese travelers during the Han and Wei dynasties reported that a queen called Himiko reigned the country. The most significant recovery are the Dotaku bronze bells from the 3rd century BC. They demonstrate the adoption of Chinese metallurgy among Japanese musicians. The shape of the bells and location of their remains indicate they entered Japan from northern Asian migrating tribes. Korea served as a bridge to Japan for many Chinese musical ideas and exerted influence over court music. Presence of Asian tribal influences can be seen through the Ainu culture on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.

The performing arts were a reflection of the way of life in Japan's Neolithic and early Bronze periods. During this time the ancient clan system was developing into an imperioal state. The basic shamanism of early antiquity became systematized into a state religion called Shinto, The Way of the Gods, which helped to strengthen the political power of the imperial court. The music and dance of Shinto cermonies had become the main body of court music by the end of this period when, in the 5th and 6th centuries, mainland Asian styles began to stream into Japan.

The primitive period ended with the death of Emperor Inkyo (453). At this time, native music existed and expressed the beauty of the human voice. Later, more value would be attached to the literary side of music. There were royei (chanted poems), kume-uta (war songs), imayo (the singing of genre sonnets) and instrumental music of kagura (sacred dance), saibara and uta-gaki. Men and women joined to peform in musical performances on the outskirts of their villages. Records speak of the emperor Inkyo playing on a wagon (Japanese native koto) and the empress dancing at the imperial banquet given in 419 on the completion of their new palace. Hand drums and pipes made of bamboo appear to have been in existence at that time.

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