May 7, 2008
Gion Corner: Kyoto Traditional Music Center
As to how I ended up here by accident is another story and will be told all in another post. However, I thought I'd share with you a preview of some of the performances I saw while there.
"Since 1962, Gion Corner is a popular night spot where tourists can experience an overview of 7 kinds of Japanese traditional arts and entertainment in single setting: Kyoto style Dance, Flower Arrangement, Tea Ceremony, Japanese Harp, Comic Play, Court Music and Puppet Play."
Gagaku literally means "elegant music", but the word also encompasses classical dancing, classical singing, as well as instrumental music.
From the Kyoto Gion Corner English Program:
Gagaku dates back to Ancient China, during the T'ang Dynasty (7th-9th centuries). China was the cultural center of all Asia. This court music was introduced into Japan in the 8th century.
This court music seems to have died out on the mainland with the fall of the T'ang dynasty , but in Japan it continued to flourish among the members of the imperial family, the nobles and other upper circles of society, especially during the Heian period (9th-12 centuries).It was performed at court banquets and at sacred rites in shrines and temples.
Gion Corner: Kyoto Traditional Music Center
As to how I ended up here by accident is another story and will be told all in another post. However, I thought I'd share with you a preview of some of the performances I saw while there.
"Since 1962, Gion Corner is a popular night spot where tourists can experience an overview of 7 kinds of Japanese traditional arts and entertainment in single setting: Kyoto style Dance, Flower Arrangement, Tea Ceremony, Japanese Harp, Comic Play, Court Music and Puppet Play."
Gagaku literally means "elegant music", but the word also encompasses classical dancing, classical singing, as well as instrumental music.
From the Kyoto Gion Corner English Program:
Gagaku dates back to Ancient China, during the T'ang Dynasty (7th-9th centuries). China was the cultural center of all Asia. This court music was introduced into Japan in the 8th century.
This court music seems to have died out on the mainland with the fall of the T'ang dynasty , but in Japan it continued to flourish among the members of the imperial family, the nobles and other upper circles of society, especially during the Heian period (9th-12 centuries).It was performed at court banquets and at sacred rites in shrines and temples.
- Jul 9, '08 3:15 AM
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cuh888 wrote on Jul 9, '08
apologies for the shaky cam...a bit hungry and tired after a whole day of scooting around...
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chitoirigo wrote on Jul 9, '08
Aray ko! Nahilo ako! Next time, mag-baon ka nga, kahit na Skyflakes man lang. :-)
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cuh888 wrote on Jul 9, '08
hehehe...I thought nahilo dahil sa music...to each his own...
madaling na-digest ko kc ang kinain ko eh...nagbaon ako ng breads and chocolates...
I just noticed now that videos pala will be limited na para access....sayang, and I have no plans to upgrade din...oh well...
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chitoirigo wrote on Jul 9, '08
cuh888 said
.I thought nahilo dahil sa music..
Sa music naman, na-ngilo ako!
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hugzone wrote on Jul 9, '08
Pag hindi ka talaga sanay, tatama sa sentido mo ang music na ganito. I remember watching my first Japanese play, sumakit ang ulo noong una. Then you reach a certain level (para sigurong nakailang kagat ka na ng Bicol Express tapos sanay na) na you begin to appreciate the "painfully slow pace" and seemingly cacophonous sound.
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cuh888 wrote on Jul 9, '08
for one, I like the sound of the samisen...pero yun nga..to each his own..ako naman inantok dito sa music, even with its tones...hehehe...