•Chikatsu Asuka Museum The Spring 2005 Special
Exhibition
Long journey of Sound
Countries that have experienced political and social upheaval as a result of
changes to diplomatic relationships between nations would attest to the
changes made to their cultures and societal fabric. An integral part of any
society and its culture are its artists. Artists personal preferences and
purposes are forced to change to reflect and meet the new and emerging
challenges of fresh diplomatic agreements. Japanese people, specifically
artists who lived during the Meiji period, experienced these changes.
Traditional forms of European art and music were virtually unknown in Japan
prior to the Meiji period. To most Japanese, the syamisen (a three-stringed
Japanese guitar.) and ukiyoe (color prints of everyday life in the Edo
period.) were common art forms during this period. European art and music
were introduced as part of the curriculum in schools at the beginning of the
Meiji period and this had a dramatic effect on Japanese culture.
What basic changes took place to Art and Music in classical Japan?
At the beginning of the Nara period (710-794) a law system was introduced to
Japan from China called Tao. After it's introduction, Gagakuryou (The
Ministry of the dance ) was set up in the Imperial Palace. People could
learn traditional Tao music, the traditional music of Japan and Korean
music.
I wonder when and how these forms of music were introduced to Japan?
I wonder how much this music influenced the traditional music of Japan?
I can't imagine what creative assets were lost after the demise of this law
system.
In this exhibition we will show you Kotos excavated from an archeological
site that dates back to the fourth century A.D. and some ancient classical
instruments kept at Shousouin (National heritage archives) in Nara.
It is believed that the area around the Chikatsu-Asuka historical museum was
inhabited by some of Japans earliest international community. These people
mostly immigrated from eastern Asia. They lived together in an urbanized
setting with the dominant culture based on the then native people there at
the time. From this community came artists and also diplomats. We feel proud
to present this exhibition and think it is fitting that it be held here.
We will be really pleased if this exhibition draws your attention to
classical Japanese music. There are instruments amongst this collection that
we are still unsure how to play!
We hope you enjoy your journey through this exhibition of the roots of
Japanese music.
Last of all, we'd like to thank the many people who contributed and
assisted in bringing this exhibition here to the Chikatsu-Asuka museum.
*Information*
April 23 to June 19,2005
Special Admission:¥600/400
Hours:10:00a.m to 4:30p.m.
