Music in Japan: A Diverse and Vibrant Panorama
Japan boasts a rich and diverse musical landscape, encompassing a wide range of genres from traditional to contemporary. The country is home to the world's second-largest music market, with an annual retail value of over $2.7 billion.
Traditional and Folk Music
Gagaku, Hougaku, and Biwa Hōshi: These ancient forms of music include court music (gagaku), orchestral music (hougaku), and biwa hōshi, a style of lute-playing that gained prominence through traveling performers.
Wadaiko: Wadaiko are traditional Japanese drums that have become popular in contemporary music ensembles. They are often used in percussion performances alongside folk songs.
Min'yō: Folk songs, known as min'yō, encompass a wide variety of styles, including fisherman's work songs, lullabies, religious songs, and festival music.
Okinawan Folk Music: Music from Okinawa differs from mainland Japanese folk music in its use of the sanshin (a three-stringed lute) and incorporation of pentatonic scales.
Western Music
Arrival of Western Music: After the Meiji Restoration, Western music instruction was introduced, leading to the development of genres like shōka and gunka.
Art Music: Western classical music gained a strong presence in Japan, with Japanese composers such as Toru Takemitsu contributing to its development.
Orchestras: Several renowned orchestras, including the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and NHK Symphony Orchestra, perform a wide range of classical repertoire.
Jazz: Jazz has a strong following in Japan, with Japanese musicians such as June and Sadao Watanabe gaining international acclaim.
Popular Music
J-pop: J-pop is a diverse and popular genre that encompasses a wide range of styles, from pop to rock. It has replaced kayōkyoku as the dominant form of popular music in Japan.
Idol Music: Japanese idol musical artists are a significant part of the market, with girl groups and boy bands regularly topping the singles chart.
Dance and Disco Music: Influenced by American dance music, dance and disco styles have gained popularity in Japan.
Rock
Group Sounds: In the 1960s, Japanese rock bands known as Group Sounds were heavily influenced by Western rock and folk music.
Electronic Rock: In the 1970s, Japanese musicians experimented with electronic rock, with Isao Tomita as a notable pioneer.
Visual Kei: In the 1980s, visual kei emerged as a rock movement characterized by elaborate stage costumes and make-up.
Punk Rock / Alternative: Early punk bands in Japan included SS, The Star Club, and The Stalin, while alternative/post-punk/new wave artists such as Aburadako and P-Model found success.
Heavy Metal
Metal: Judas Priest, Deep Purple, and Iron Maiden have all experienced significant commercial success in Japan.
Japanese Metal: Japanese metal emerged in the late 1970s, led by bands like Bow Wow and Loudness.
Extreme Metal: Japanese extreme metal bands have made their mark on the global stage, with acts such as Sigh and Boris gaining international recognition.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop: Hip-hop arrived in Japan in the late 1980s and has since thrived, with rappers performing in nightclubs known as "genba."
Grime
Grime: Grime, a British electronic genre, has influenced Japanese musicians, with MC Dekishi releasing the first Japanese grime mixtape in 2009.
Synth-Pop and Club Music
Synth-Pop: Synth-pop bands like Hikasyuu and P-Model were popular in the 1970s and 80s. Club music also developed, influenced by German electronica and techno artists.
Kawaii Future Bass: A subgenre of future bass with a distinctly Japanese influence, kawaii future bass gained popularity in the mid-2010s.
Roots and Country Music
Roots and Country Music: Roots bands like Shang Shang Typhoon and Okinawan artists like Kina gained popularity in the 1980s and 90s, leading to a resurgence of interest in traditional music.
Latin, Reggae, and Ska Music
Latin, Reggae, and Ska Music: Japanese musicians have assimilated influences from various cultures, including Latin, reggae, and ska.
Noise Music
Noise Music: A unique genre known as Japanoise, characterized by challenging and experimental sounds, has gained recognition in Japan.
Theme Music
Theme Music: Theme music for films, anime, and television is a separate genre in Japan, featuring artists who specialize in composing soundtracks.
Game Music
Game Music: Video game music has developed into a significant genre, with composers like Koichi Sugiyama, Nobuo Uematsu, and Yasunori Mitsuda creating memorable and influential soundtracks.