How much have you experienced the beauty of Japan’s traditional music passed down since ancient times? In gagaku and kagura dwell a solemn atmosphere and profound spirituality that modern music cannot offer.
Japan’s traditional music, handed down for over a thousand years, holds a universal appeal that resonates in our hearts.
In this article, we introduce a selection of exquisitely pure melodies from Japan’s classical music.
Their timbres may be unfamiliar to modern ears, but they will surely sink deep into your heart.
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[Japanese Traditional Music] Masterpieces of Gagaku and Kagura. Recommended Japanese traditional music (1–10)
EtenrakuBuntei
Etenraku is a representative piece of Japanese gagaku often included in textbooks, and for many people it is the first work that comes to mind when they think of gagaku.
It is also written as “Etōraku.” Classified as Tōgaku in hyōjō mode, it is a short piece in a fast four-beat meter, counted in twelve measures.
It was a new composition in which a dance once existed but is no longer performed.
There is also a tradition that it was played when Tang ministers ascended to or descended from the palace dais.
An arrangement for koto and orchestra titled Etenraku Variations by Japanese composer Hidemaro Konoye and others has been performed in the United States and Europe.
Among gagaku pieces, it is the most famous, and many people have likely heard it at least once.
Bugaku “Gojōraku Ichigu”
Originating in China’s Tang dynasty, this is a highly refined work with a philosophical nature that links the Five Constants—benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith—with the five tones.
It is structured as a suite in the movements Jo, Ei, Ha, and Kyū, whose gradual increase in tension is especially compelling.
There is even a legend from the Heian period that when Prince Sadayasu performed it one hundred times in succession, the spirit of a renowned Tang-dynasty pipa master appeared.
Recordings by various ensembles exist, and a 1961 recording project received the Minister of Education’s Arts Festival Award.
This masterpiece is recommended for those who wish to experience its solemn resonance and profound spirituality, and for anyone seeking to explore the depth of Japan’s classical performing arts.
Hiroshima Prefecture: Hiroshima Kagura Quick Costume Change
In Hiroshima Prefecture’s kagura, a signature highlight is the technique of instantaneous costume and mask changes.
The sight of a gracefully dancing princess transforming in a flash into a fearsome demon captivates the audience.
Around 300 troupes are active within the prefecture, and drawing on the Iwami-region kagura of neighboring Shimane, they have evolved in their own direction, heightening theatricality and entertainment value.
The musical accompaniment of drums, flutes, and gongs builds tension, quickening in tempo as the story progresses, with masterful shifts in sound and timing at the very moment of transformation.
Blending the solemnity of Shinto ritual with the splendor of stage art, this form of kagura is highly recommended for those who wish to experience the depth of Japan’s traditional performing arts.
Gagaku ‘Etenraku’Konoe Hidemaro
A quintessential piece known for weaving together the orchestra and gagaku is the orchestral version of Etenraku by Hidemaro Konoe, a pioneering figure in Japan’s orchestral world.
Although there are differences between Western and Eastern traditions, both are made up of strings, winds, and percussion.
If the basic instrumental makeup is the same, why not arrange it for a Western-style orchestra? This idea is realized in this orchestral Etenraku.
When you listen, you’ll notice that a Western orchestra performs Etenraku naturally and without any sense of incongruity.
It serves as an introductory gateway to gagaku through the medium of the orchestra.
Ballet Music “Bugaku”Mayuzumi Toshirō
An indispensable work that weaves together Japanese tradition and the orchestra was created by Toshiro Mayuzumi.
The piece, Ballet Music “Bugaku,” was commissioned by George Balanchine, artistic director of the New York City Ballet, and premiered on March 30, 1963 at New York City Center.
It has since become a globally renowned masterpiece.
Based on gagaku dance, this orchestral work brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of gagaku through layered string writing that makes full use of the ensemble, earning high acclaim as an orchestral work that fuses Japanese and Western elements.
It opens with rhythms in the bassoon and percussion and is structured in two parts: Part I: Lento and Part II: Moderato.
Please give it a listen as a way to experience gagaku through the orchestra.
Daikagura Variety Act: Umbrella Performance
A representative acrobatic act of Daikagura in which a performer spins a Japanese umbrella while skillfully manipulating tea bowls and balls on top of it.
Because the umbrella forms an ever-expanding shape like a fan, it is considered auspicious and treasured at celebratory occasions, and it is counted as one of the pieces known as the Thirteen Acts of Daikagura.
Accompanied by felicitous patter, the technique of keeping objects balanced and spinning atop the rotating umbrella is a highly refined art that captivates audiences.
As a traditional performing art showcased in various settings—such as shrine dedication rituals and vaudeville theaters—it has been handed down to the present day and is also enjoyed at school performances and cultural venues.
It’s recommended for those who want to see something auspicious or experience Japan’s traditional acrobatics.
Iwami Kagura, Shimane Prefecture
A majestic stage performing art handed down in the Iwami region of western Shimane Prefecture.
Originating before the Azuchi–Momoyama period, it was originally dedicated as a Shinto rite performed by priests, but from the late Edo period through the Meiji era it evolved into a form performed by local residents.
Among its pieces, “Orochi” is renowned for its spectacular staging, featuring fire-breathing effects and the dynamic movement of multiple giant serpent bodies.
Accompanied by drums, flutes, and gongs, and uniting declamation with dance, it recreates the world of myth before your eyes as a comprehensive performing art.
Notably, “Orochi” drew nationwide attention when it was performed at Expo ’70 in Japan, and it was also selected for the program of the 2025 Osaka–Kansai Expo.