“Japanese Traditions”: Japanese Festival Music (Jun Hōgaku)
Festival hayashi music is indispensable to Japanese festivals.
It’s music performed with traditional Japanese instruments—such as taiko drums, flutes, and small gongs—sounds that every Japanese person has likely heard somewhere.
Classified as pure traditional Japanese music, festival hayashi has long been performed and cherished at festivals across the country.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide variety of such local festival hayashi!
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'Japanese Traditions' Japanese festival music of pure traditional music (31–40)
Kawakami Festival Bayashi
The Kawakami Festival Music handed down in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, is a traditional performing art that epitomizes Japanese festivals and has continued at least since the Edo period.
In particular, the Shishimai and Frolicsome Monkey segment is truly thrilling—its acrobatic techniques, vigor, and humor make it well worth seeing.
Although it has faced the risk of disappearing many times, it has survived thanks to the cooperation of residents who love their community and its festival, and it continues to this day.
Driven by a passionate desire to protect their own festivals, many such celebrations are surely being carried on.
Please savor the profound resonance imbued with that spirit.
Hikiyama Festival Music
This festival music, performed at the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival held every April in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, is also commonly known as “Shagiri.” It is played while parading through the streets during the festival.
Accompanied by rhythms of drums and gongs, the sound of dozens of flutes is truly spectacular.
Although this music is performed to move the hikiyama—namely, the festival floats—it is also played before and after the kabuki performances held during the festival, as well as to rouse people involved in the event.
Many children take part in the flute performance, giving the impression that the entire town is playing the festival music together.
Chigasaki Festival Hayashi
The Chigasaki Hayashi Festival, where teams that perform traditional festival music (ohayashi) from across Chigasaki gather at once, is held every autumn.
Every year, many spectators come to the performances to catch a glimpse of the music.
The powerful drum performances and the tones of the flutes evoke a certain nostalgia.
It might be fun to compare the different sounds from team to team.
Toyoda Hayashi
Toyoda-bayashi is characterized by its rhythmic performance.
Based on Meguro festival music, it adds an up-tempo flair.
It is performed at various events throughout the city, starting with Wakamiya Shrine in Hino City, Tokyo.
The rhythm naturally gets your body moving and heightens the lively atmosphere of the festival.
Performers wearing masks such as the lion (shishi-mai) and hyottoko also appear, and their cheerful dancing leaves a strong impression.
Alongside its traditional tones, this festival music conveys a sense of fun and playfulness.
Hachiman Festival Bayashi
This festival music is performed at Hachiman Shrine in Chita City, Aichi Prefecture.
The festival features many dynamic, splendid large floats.
In contrast, the festival music played there is simple, composed of drums and flutes.
You can immerse yourself in the traditional tones of the festival music, or enjoy the contrast between the lavish floats and the understated accompaniment—there are many ways to appreciate it.
Why not visit and experience this feast for the ears and eyes on site?
“Japanese Traditions” Japanese festival music of traditional Japanese music (41–50)
Obanazawa Festival Hayashi
The Obanazawa Festival Hayashi, designated as an intangible cultural property of Obanazawa City in Yamagata Prefecture, is wonderfully vibrant and draws many visitors to the festival each year.
On August 27, the opening day of the Hanagasa Festival, members of the Obanazawa Festival Hayashi energize the festivities.
This festival music is distinguished by its elegant suite of pieces known as “Ogenkei,” “Yaen,” and “Sukoro.”
Kawasaki Hayashi
The Kawasaki Hayashi learned the Shigematsu style of festival music from the Higashimachi Hayashi Preservation Society in the neighboring town.
The tradition is still being carried on today, with ongoing activities aimed at revitalizing the community.
During the festival, impressive festival floats parade through the neighborhood.
The lively festival music carries a certain nostalgic tone.