Japanese Ensemble: From Traditional to Modern

Our Japanese Ensemble is dedicated to hands-on learning of music and dance from many regions of Japan. Japanese music is typically based on songs that reflect styles of Japanese poetry sung in lines of five or seven syllables. Song lyrics evoke images of landscapes, seasons, weather, animals and legendary figures of Japan to illustrate Shinto religious ideals of harmony between the gods and human beings in nature - as well as Buddhist themes of the transient nature of existence in this world. Traditional instruments studied by the group include the shamisen (three-string, plucked lute), shinobue (transverse bamboo folk flute) and taiko (double-headed, barrel-shaped, stick-struck drums of various sizes). For complete information visit cupresents.org