Versatility in every situation is happening at all spheres in life. There is a global feel in each facet of life be it technology, education or sports. There is a definite inter mingling of cross culture religions, life styles and cuisine. Music is definitely seen as the culmination of western influence in the Japanese traditional songs. Pop culture is also peculiar with Japanese soccer songs and the original integral Japanese music is very much seen in the folk music of Japan.

There have been Zen influences and the strong effect of Buddhist music in Japanese music. Music is subject to different genres and there are many branches in modern music too. Western music is preferred by many because of its universal nature and many singers are popular in other countries other than their home town. There is rock music, reggae, hip hop, disco numbers and jazz too. The original birth of rock music in Japan can be traced to Les Rallizes Denudes believed in a complete performance package. These rock bands were actually known as space rock bands.

The instruments by the Taj Mahal travelers was pioneered by Kosugi who arranged many jams with bass, tuba, mandolin and percussions. The treating of the instruments with modern improvisations in sound technology has led to a new version of Japanese pop music. The seventies brought with it new experiments in music and pop. The music was electronical and jazz styled. There were new cultures in pop music with synth pop like Solid State survivor in the Yellow Magic orchestra. There are bands like YBO2 and After Dinner. The High Rise II is another space rock album from 1986.

The techno music of Japanese pop culture belonged to Ken Ishii and Yokota. Bisj ad DJ Krush brought with them a new hip hop or engineered kind of music. Nuzak and Kitsch style was seen in 1990 to about 1997. Japanese metal bands were a fine collection of electronic orchestra. The Sigh with Hail Horror Hail was a leading band in 1997. There was a flutter in music with Girl in 1991 with dance numbers, Krishna chants and movie sound tracks.

There was more to pop music with bands like Cibo Matto where the accentuation was more on funky, jazz and hip hop music. R&B music became common in the late 1990’s. SMAP was a popular band and Talent shows started becoming a rage. Morning Musume was a all girl band and its popularity hit the charts soon. The other female band was Onyanko Club.

The Yayoi times in Japanese history was when the building of tombs was in prominence and thereby the Yamato clan gained importance. The Jomon times leave no clue about Japanse songs. The Yamatos established law and used language that resulted in making the imperial court which remained in the Heian and Nara period. The court automatically resulted in Japanese court music which was also present in Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. The rule of Emperor Temmu encouraged making these songs into compilation.

There is also more variety with respect to the Chinese and Japanese languages wherein the Chinese is mostly monosyllabic with tones whereas the Japanese does not have tones and exists in long sentences. Again the Heian and Nara times in history were highly influenced with Buddhist culture and chanting is a very important facet of Buddhism. The Shomyo began gaining importance as in bifurcation existed as Shingon and Tendai Shomyo. The Joruri was also traced from Noh and Heike Biwa with a definite resemblance with Shomyo.

Uta means a poem or a song.

Poems often are told in high loud sounds and poetic history of Japan is remarkable. Manyoshu nad Kokinshu are typical during the Heian and Nara times. Prose and poems existed with the dialogues in dramas at the performances in the imperial court. The lute and flute were the chief components in instrumental music and The Gagaku dances are famous till date.

Shomyo or Buddhist music is an amalgamation of recitation of three languages like the Sanskrit with its origins from India called Bonsan.

The Chinse chanting happen in Kansan and the Wasan is Japanese.

The Shingon and Tnedai Shomyo are the main two brances.

Imayo on the other hand refers to modern trend and has short items of Wasan Shomyo. This is usually in four lines which was made popular by the Shirabyoshi dancers. Imayo was usually popular with the upper class during the Heian times. Etenraku is a form of Gagaku which is noticed in the folk music of Japan.

Modern forms of Japanese music are westernized with the merits of pop culture. There are melodious Japanese songs for children and the Japanese opera songs are a treat to the music lover. However heavy the borrowings from other cultures may be there is something very typical about Japanase music and songs have the traditional touch present in each performance.

Songs form a part of children’s lives for a long time. The best way to soothe a cranky baby is to hum a song. Children have no language barriers and for them music and melody is of much importance. Slowly as they grow they get enchanted with words and try to decipher their meaning as per their vocabulary. Each culture has a unique way to welcome a new born child with the functions of baby shower happening when the lady has conceived. Customs and traditions are different in each state and give a enhanced meaning when involved with songs. What can be said through a song is many times impossible using dialogues in conversation.

Japanese children’s songs can be seen in folk songs and also general ones. The simple facts of life like counting and alphabets can be put through a song in an effective manner. There are songs like Song of Kites or Sakura Sakura which are also categorized as nursery rhymes. Colours and shapes can be taught through children’s songs. The Hina Matsuri song of the Happy Elephant is much loved by all. Rhymes does not hinder the recitation with respect to the understanding of the child’s capacity to decipher the knowledge.

Initially the simple narration catches their attention and repetition surely conveys them the meaning. Hina means a doll and the famous doll festival of Japan involves displays the dolls in a stand. The song and dance festival is festive with girls dressing up for the function. The chief dolls happen to be the Emperor and The Empress. This song expresses the joy of the festival and the importance of lights.

There are rhymes that involve Open Hands and Close Hands and others that talk about a Carp windsocks as Tango no Sekku marks the Boys festival which is celebrated on the 5th of May. The koinobori or carp windsocks are laid on the outer side of the house resembling the determination peculiar to a boyish nature. The song is simple and lively. There are songs that welcome the Spring and others that talk about the beauty of Snow.

The telephone song is a simple compilation of words and its liked by all children.

It is interesting to note that the songs for children are enjoyed much by elders too. Grandparents enjoy in the narration to the and are eager to express the meaning. The tunes are loved by the kids and many years later one naturally hums the same to their own offspring’s. These are the forever-quality and the finest ones. There are also books available on nursery rhymes, poems and short prose which are interesting for children.

Japanese culture and tradition abounds with a lot of customs. The Japanese traditional dress itself speaks a lot about its rich heritage. Songs are mostly in poem form and the pitch and tone is clearly typical about Japanese culture. Though western influence is also seen in many traditional functions, folk songs are not totally erased from the culture. Hangasa Ondo which is the typical straw hat song has a definite inclusion of the folk dance Hanagasa Odori. Artificial bright coloured flowers are adorned on the straw hat and men and women dance to the tunes of Ha Yassho Makkasho. This talks about the maturity of rice and fruits.

The Sakura or the Cherry blossom song is famous of all other folk songs. The meaning of the song describes elaborately the beauty of the blossom referring it to a mist or clouds. It talks about the fragrance and the melody actually brings the fragrance of the blossom close to you. The ondo style of Tanko Bushi is a typical folk song of the Japanese. This is a necessity for the Bon dance which actually puts forth the nuances as per working in the mines.

Weddings in Japan have a festive touch. Japan is also a land of Sumo wrestlers, Kimono wearing and Geisha entertainers who depict the Japanese art. The court music is the Gagaku. The chorus song or the flute playing and drums is typical of the Nogaku with the No performance. Shakuhachi is the instrumental music played with a 55 cm long flute and is very melodious.

The sports at Japan or the matsuri is a very elaborate festival. There are kasa dancers who peform dance around mikoshi which is high on energy with clockwise circular motions. The hats again are important and throwing the hat is remarkably noticed. This is known as the Yagibushi. The horse herding song or the Minyo is also a part of the folk tradition.

Music pieces also include the Aidu Otsue, Sado Okesa and the Soran Bushi. There are other numbers in folk music of Japan like to OWase Bushi, Hokkai Bon Uta and the Sansa Shigure. There are many patrons of art who are keeping the traditional folk music in customs alive and western music with its hip hop, jazz, techno and metal also constitutes J pop culture.

Japanese culture is also about martial arts, tea drinking and the preparation is an art by itself. The religion and culture is traditional with the weddings and ceremonies followed by the calendar. There are annual events all through the year that remarkably displays all the art of Japan.

 Music and party are synonymous. Whether it’s an occasion to welcome someone or departure music is the soul of existence. Office music in instrumental form is a stress reliever. While driving too one can listen to good music be it rap style, techno or pure and traditional folk songs in Japanese. There are several opportunities for your to download music through MP3 files and one should also take care to download from authentic sites.

Legal Japanese MP3 songs websites and resources:

(Download Japanese Songs & Music.)
Directory of Japanese Music, Japanese mp3 songs, Japanese movie songs, latest Japanese movie hits and old Japanese song downloads. These are Japanese sites, links and resources which offer original free Japanese songs download.
1. www.j-music.com/
Dowload Jazz, pop and Hougako which is a typical Japanese taste. Shakuhachi or the Bamboo flute music can also be downloaded to suit instrumental music lovers.

2. ” title=”http://j-fan.com/dir/Jpop/MP3s/” target=”_blank”>j-fan.com/dir/Jpop/MP3s/
Download from a host of sites like Nyaoo castle, J pop Shoujo, Song Japan and dm radio. Download songs online.

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