What is "Aizu Bandaisan"? Aizu Bandaisan is one of the most famous folk songs from Fukushima’s Aizu region. It is sung at summer festivals and bon dances, where shinobue(flutes), shamisen,...
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Shinobue flutes come in many varieties, each suited for different styles of music. The right flute depends on what you intend to play, so choosing one that matches your purpose...
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What is a geisha? A geisha is a woman who enlivens a banquet by dancing, singing, and playing Japanese instruments. Geisha have been popular with the public since the Edo...
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The Gokayama region is located in the southwestern part of Toyoama prefecture, surrounded by 1,500-meter-high mountains with heavy snowfalls of two to three meters in winter. Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Village, designated...
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What is a Japanese Folk Song? Japanese folk songs were sung by ordinary people in various parts of Japan. They may be sung alone, sung with hand-clapping, or sung with...
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On September 2 and 3, 2023, the " Grand Festival of Japanese Folk Performing Arts" was held at the Meiji Kinen Hall in Yoyogi, Tokyo. Here are some of the...
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On September 2 and 3, 2023, the "Grand Festival of Japanese Folk Performing Arts" was held at the Meiji Kinen Hall in Yoyogi, Tokyo. Here are some of the most impressive...
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There are different types and sizes of shinobue. Basically, they are used differently depending on what you are playing, so it is usual to use different ones for different purposes!...
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Both shakuhachi and shinobue are made of bamboo. Bamboo is a very strong material when it comes to horizontal force and is not easy to break. However, it is not as...
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About Sanja Matsuri Sanja Matsuri（三社祭り, Sanja Festival） is held every May at Asakusa shrine by the Ujiko ( inhabitants of the neighboring community). It is one of the three major...
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"Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" is Japan's oldest story. The author and the year of writing are unknown, but it is said to have been written between the 9th and...
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Bamboo is a symbol of good luck In Japan, "pine, bamboo, and plum" are used as symbols of good luck. As for bamboo, it is considered a symbol of procreation....
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Bamboo is used for musical instruments such as the shakuhachi and shinobue, and has also been an indispensable part of Japanese life. In Japan, there are many proverbs associated with...
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