Musical Expression in japanese culture

Music as a Language

Music, one may argue, is a language. The debate arose as humans produced art and music to express what they could not express verbally. Similarly, there is a similarity between language and music in that both express a message through the structuring of sounds, however language, unlike music, can use the signed modality. Similarly, unlike animal communication, there are no evolutionary precedents for music and language in humans, implying that they are both created. In truth, every culture has its own specific local version of language and music that only its members understand. Lastly, the astonishing fact is that both can be used to complement each other. In essence, music and language are similar, but this is not the case after a deeper analysis.

Expressing Nature’s Sounds with Japanese Wind Instruments

As mentioned above, language cannot express everything; for example, the giggling of streams, trilling of birds, and songs of insects. However, Japanese musical wind instruments such as the Shakuhachi flute that was originally from China but evolved to become distinctly Japanese can express nature’s sounds (Masayuki 9). The instrument made from bamboo is 55 centimeters in length and requires the user to blow into it to produce sound. His or her control of the amount of air entering the flute determines the pitch of the sounds produce that if coordinated create a harmonious music. The flute evolves with time; importantly, plastic pipes are being used to create Shakuhachi instruments in the 21st century to preserve the culture even if bamboo groves are fading away from the earth.

Sho Wind Instrument and Codes of Light

On the other hand, the sho wind instrument can be used to produce codes signifying beams of light breaking the clouds. The beam incorporates seven pipes of bamboo bundled together requiring the user to blow into it producing vibrations that produce sound. The sounds are not harmonious but have a distinctive beauty once the reeds are warmed: when they accumulate moisture, the sounds are impaired.

Hichiriki - The Swaying Sound

Next, the hichiriki is another Japanese wind instrument whose swaying sound is compared to that of the earth. Its sound is robust in spite of its size (18cm long). It has seven finger holes in the front and two at the back requiring the user to switch his or her fingers between the holes to produce different music. In this regard, the instrument is essential in Japanese weddings, other song celebrations, and a major part of Japanese culture.

Emotional Impact of Musical Instruments

Musical instruments heighten individuals’ emotions as they feel connected to the physical world through sound. The wind instruments, for example, the shakuhachi, can make the player feel as if he or she is a bird producing thrilling sounds. Speaking about this, the pitch and codes, if harmonious, have a more concentrated impact on the emotions of the player and the audience (Carey 1958).

Complementing Language with Music

Arguably, the need to associate with nature on a level better than physical language necessitated human beings to find different ways to express themselves. Unlike art that can be comprehended by the sense of sight, music is realized through the hearing sense. Therefore, language and music complement each other in communicating a stronger message. Above all, music is a form of communication in that musical wind blowing instruments, same as languages, produce sounds that can be interpreted differently, thus evoking diverse emotions.

Works Cited

Carey, John. “Science and culture: musical genes.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113.8 (2016): 1958-1959.

Masayuki, Koga. Shakuhachi: Japanese Bamboo Flute. Japanese Music Institute of America, 2014.