Yamatogaku: A fusion of traditional Japanese instruments and Western singing styles

 

Cultural News, October 2007

 

 

Yamatogaku players: In the front row, Iemoto Yamato Hisamitsu, right, and Yamato Miyoki. In the back row, Katada Kisaku, left, and Nakagawa Yoshio (Courtesy of Yamatogaku School of Tokyo)

 

    When Kabuki is performed, it is accompanied by narrative style songs called nagauta.  Another type of music called yamatogaku inherits the major elements of nagauta, but has its own distinctive musical form. Yet, unlike most types of Japanese music and dance, it is a relatively recent development.

 

     The yamatogaku musical form was created in 1933 by Baron Okura Kishichiro, who, as founder of the Okura Hotel in Tokyo, was a well known and successful businessman.

 

   Yamatogaku melodies incorporate Western vocalization techniques including harmony, singing in round, and humming. Japanese instrumentation combines with these vocal techniques to create a free form music of great emotion and depth.

 

    Traditional Japanese music’s principal instrument is the three-stringed shamisen. The delicate notes of the music are expressed by the shamisen and singer. The interplay of this instrument and the human voice is what defines Japanese traditional music.

 

    Baron Okura was recognized as a very sophisticated person in cultural activities. Yamatogaku was produced from his affluent circumstances. Inviting the leading musicians, singers and dancers of his day to collaborate with him, Baron Okura sought to establish "a sound with the essence of exquisite Japanese traditional music dressed in a garment of modern singing techniques."

 

   Baron Okura initially collaborated with the well known artist, Kishigami Kimi. Other musicians and composers he worked with specialized in European music and included Dan Ikuma, Fujiwara Yoshie and Hara Nobuko.

 

     One of the most significant features of yamatogaku is the blending of the traditional Japanese instruments - shamisen, koto and tsuzumi - with western vocalizations, harmonies, rounds and humming. Whereas male voices dominate in classical Japanese music such as nagauta, yamatogaku features mainly female singers who can create a gorgeous harmony, offering additional layers of emotion, beauty and delicacy.  The fact that yamatogaku pieces are written for primarily female vocalists is unique compared to traditional Japanese music forms.     

 

     The music is stunningly complimented by traditional Japanese dance choreographed to complete the visual element of this unique sensual collaboration.

 

   Yamatogaku inspired traditional Japanese music with new freedom and tonal variations that had never been experienced before.

 

    After the deaths of Okura and Kishigami, the yamatogaku circle did not have a principal tatejamisen – equivalent of concert master in Western music -  player for some period. This was the most difficult time for the yamatogaku circle.

 

     An Iemoto or Grand Master position was installed in order to revitalize the yamatogaku circle. However, it was not until 1987 with the naming of the school’s second and current master, Iemoto Yamato Hisamitsu, that the form’s popularity soon grew to record levels.

 

    Iemoto Hisamitsu first won fame as a master of the shamisen. He was recognized as one of the best tatejamisen players in the country. Renowned buyo (Japanese classical dance) master Azuma Tokuho’s recommendation of Hisamitsu influenced his selection as the second Iemoto. The Hisamitsu’s Iemoto appointment was embraced by the leading yamatogaku players such as the first Iemoto Yamato Miyoki, Yamato Michiyo and Yamato Hide with their expectation to rejuvenate the yamatogaku genre.

 

    Iemoto Hisamitsu has composed over 300 works of yamatogaku music. Many of his compositions have become the standard for Japan’s leading performers of traditional Japanese dance.

 

      A rare opportunity to experience yamatogaku will be presented by the Yamatogaku School of Tokyo and its U.S.A branch on Saturday, January 5, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre in Torrance. The program is sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of the Japanese government. 

 

    Tickets are $35 for general admission and $20 for students and seniors.  They are available through Yamatogaku U.S.A. at (310) 538-0334 or the Armstrong Theatre Box Office at (310) 781-7171.

 

    Program  Part I: Ume (Plum), Sanjukkoku no Yobune (Ship in the Night  with 30 koku of rice), Omatsuri (Festival), Tsuru (Crane). Part II: Edofuryu (Edo in the Style of Vogue), Yuki no Furu Machi Wo (A Street of Falling Snow).

 

    Performers Tatejamisen: Iemoto Yamato Hisamitsu. Singer: Yamato Sakyo, Yamato Reiko, Yamato Michiju, and Yamato Hisamoe. Shamisen: Yamato Osho, Yamato Hisanami, and Yamato Hisaori. Percussion: Katada Shinjuro, Katada Kisaburo, Katada Masahiro, and Tosha Suiho. Koto: Yonekawa Toshiko II.   Buyo: Bando Mitsuhiro and her students, and Wakayagi Hisami and her students.

 (Japanese names are placed in traditional order with family names appearing first.)