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Musicology (Japanese Music History) Lab
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The lab studies Japanese music history, interpreting modern biwa music through music analysis.
AboutAbout the lab
Reading biwa music through analysis.
Assistant Professor Mizuki Somura analyzes traditional Japanese music, especially modern biwa music (Satsuma biwa and Chikuzen biwa).
The lab also studies how music spread in modern Japan through sound media such as radio broadcasting and records.
In classes, Assistant Professor Somura teaches subjects on music and sound outside Western music, such as Japanese music history, Asian music history, and ethnomusicology.
Key terms
- Modern biwa music
- Biwa music that developed from the Meiji period onward, including Satsuma biwa and Chikuzen biwa
- Pitch analysis
- Analysis that measures the pitch of sounds in performance or narration and extracts the features of the expression
- Sound media
- Means of delivering sound widely, such as radio broadcasting and records
ResearchResearch themes
Focusing on modern biwa music (Satsuma biwa and Chikuzen biwa) within traditional Japanese music, the lab uses analysis to study melodic styles, the performance expression of narration, and music theory. The spread of music through sound media such as radio broadcasting and records is also a subject of research.
*Illustrative imageInstrument Reform and Melodic Style of the Satsuma Biwa
The lab studies the influence that reforms of the Satsuma biwa had on musical practice, as well as its melodic styles. Its research keywords include biwa playing techniques and body movement.
*Illustrative imagePerformance Expression of Narration in Modern Biwa Music
The lab uses pitch analysis to study how the narrative sections are performed in modern biwa music.
Music Theory of Modern Biwa Music
The lab uses music analysis to study the music theory of modern biwa music, including Satsuma biwa and Chikuzen biwa. It aims to find theory common to the different schools.
MembersFaculty
- Assistant ProfessorMizuki Somura
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Japanese theatre performance (211)” Savannah Rivka / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Instrument Reform and Melodic Style of the Satsuma Biwa: “Satsuma-biwa (3 string) with the gold inlay of a pair of peacock on the body - MIM PHX ( by ksblack99)” ksblack99 / Public domain (cropped)
- Performance Expression of Narration in Modern Biwa Music: “Biwa plectra” Obakedake / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Musicology (Japanese Music History) Lab): “Satsuma Biwa MET 189128” 作者不詳 / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Musicology Lab): “"2me Solo de Concert Pour le hautbois avec accompagnement à grand orchestre composé par G. Vogt" (manuscrit autographe) - btv1b of 88)” Vogt, Gustave ( ). Compositeur / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Musicology Lab (Hiroko Nishida)): “Sorabji, Organ Symphony No. 3 manuscript, page 124” Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji (composer); Alistair Hinton (copyright to the music); screenshot from the electronic copy of the score: User:Toccata quarta / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Japanese Architectural History Lab): “Interior view of the Buddhist temple Hounen Jonin Gobyo with red wooden chest and round straw carpets Chion-in Kyoto Japan” Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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