“Japanese Traditions”: Japanese Festival Music (Jun Hōgaku)
Festival hayashi music is indispensable to Japanese festivals.
It’s music performed with traditional Japanese instruments—such as taiko drums, flutes, and small gongs—sounds that every Japanese person has likely heard somewhere.
Classified as pure traditional Japanese music, festival hayashi has long been performed and cherished at festivals across the country.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide variety of such local festival hayashi!
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“Japanese Traditions” Japanese festival music of traditional Japanese music (21–30)
Enshū Festival Bayashi
This festival music, performed at festivals in the Enshu region of Shizuoka Prefecture, features many scenes where the flute’s timbre stands out.
You’ll be drawn to the driving tones that ride the rhythm of the ensemble, as well as the delicate nuances.
Calls and shouts interjected between phrases add momentum to the music, and together with the drum rhythms, they heighten the excitement of the moment.
It’s also distinguished by its pageantry: performers wearing masks appear partway through, and dancers carrying lanterns join in.
As the music progresses, your body naturally starts to move, and the fun really kicks in!
Festival music of the Arai Festival
The Arai festival music performed in Awa, Chiba Prefecture can be considered a special presence among festival music across Japan in a sense.
The powerful music played by the men resonates deeply with those who watch, and the indescribable harmony created by the unity of drums and flutes heightens the festive atmosphere.
It’s not just something you hear with your ears; the experience of feeling the drum’s beat with your whole body evokes the primordial landscapes of Japan.
Be sure to listen at least once to Arai’s festival music, where Japan’s tradition and spirit are alive.
'Japanese Traditions' Japanese festival music of pure traditional music (31–40)
Shinjo Festival Masugata Hayashi Youth Association
The Shinjo Festival, held in Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture, is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
One of the pieces performed at the festival is Masugata Bayashi, a variant of the Shinjo Bayashi.
The original Shinjo Bayashi has four main schools, including this Masugata Bayashi, and the musical style varies depending on the group performing it.
Since none of the schools use written scores and everything is passed down orally, it is said that each ensemble develops its own distinctive way of playing.
Masugata Bayashi is characterized by powerful drums and the bright clang of the kane (hand gong), creating a musical accompaniment that conveys the festival’s vigor.
Higashi-Beppu Festival Music
Among festival music traditions across Japan, the Higashi-Beppu festival music stands out as a truly special musical culture.
Its taiko drumming has been passed down since the Edo period and is performed at the Higashi-Beppu Shrine festival.
The sound of the drums moves not only local residents but also visitors, stirring an irresistible urge to dance.
That’s only natural, as this music serves to energize those carrying the mikoshi portable shrine.
It has been designated a municipal cultural property, and its beat possesses a power reminiscent of African drums.
Oyodo Riverside Festival Music
At the Tamayura Festival held along the Oyodo River in Miyazaki Prefecture, you can hear lively festival music that lifts your spirits.
The booming sound of the drums and the flutes alone are enough to make your heart race with excitement.
The lanterns displayed at the Tamayura Festival along the Oyodo River feature the names of Miyazaki’s representative shochu brands, Kirishima and Hyuga Kobiki.
Miyata Gion Festival Taiko Drum Festival Music
At the Miyata Gion Festival held in Miyata Village, Kamiina District, Nagano Prefecture, one of the highlights is the powerful sound of the festival music performed by children.
Their passionate performances and the resonant vibrations of the drums that fill the space and your body feel invigorating—you can practically sense the rhythm on your skin.
Festival music varies in style depending on the region and the specific festival.
If you have a chance to listen to these time-honored, traditional festival tunes, be sure to hear a variety and experience Japan’s longstanding culture.
You’re sure to enjoy it.
Kawakami Festival Bayashi
The Kawakami Festival Music handed down in Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, is a traditional performing art that epitomizes Japanese festivals and has continued at least since the Edo period.
In particular, the Shishimai and Frolicsome Monkey segment is truly thrilling—its acrobatic techniques, vigor, and humor make it well worth seeing.
Although it has faced the risk of disappearing many times, it has survived thanks to the cooperation of residents who love their community and its festival, and it continues to this day.
Driven by a passionate desire to protect their own festivals, many such celebrations are surely being carried on.
Please savor the profound resonance imbued with that spirit.