An Introduction to Shinto and Gagaku: Japan’s Traditional Religion and Music

On September 24th, I attended this lecture organized by OSU’s Institute for Japanese Studies. I don’t know what I was expecting. What little of Japanese culture I’ve experienced in the past I’ve absorbed through television and video games. I haven’t actually spoken to someone from Japan. This lecture was profoundly interesting to me. The three men who spoke, two priest and one a priest-in-training spoke with such reverence about their culture and their people. They conveyed a connection with nature and humanity that was truly something to behold. The priests came from a Shinto temple called Meiji Jingu, a forest oasis in the middle of the metropolis of Tokyo. A point that Moriyasu Ito, one of the priests, kept repeating, was that Shinto isn’t a religion. Most people in Japan practice Shinto, but they also practice Buddhism, or Christianity. Christmas and Halloween are huge holidays, along with the traditional Shinto festivals. Shinto’s main principle is based around the Kami, or the spirits. That feeling when you see a beautiful waterfall or a stunning mountain vista is the Kami. They are the awe-inspiring spirits that inhabit everything in the world. Shinto has no holy book, no written scripture. It is simply about respecting the world and the people around you, which I believe is a principle that more people need to live by. The priests told us about their temple, Meiji Jingu. It is an idyllic sanctuary, one that millions visit a year. In the middle of Tokyo there is a giant forest with a beautiful temple. Here they have the Kami shrines, and they hold many festivals. It is truly extraordinary to see people from all walks of life come together.

The priests also played Gagaku, which is the traditional music of Japan. Gagaku is deeply ties to Shintoism. The priests all play some sort of instrument, and the music is used in nearly all Shinto ceremonies. Some Gagaku compositions have been around for centuries. They played three wind instruments, all which are made by hand. Even though the music was slightly out of tune and dissonant, it carried an ethereal quality that was extremely calming. It was interesting when they showed us Gagaku sheet music. There are no notes, no staff. The rhythm is written using Japanese characters, but the notes must be passed down from teacher to student. Without learning from a master, you cannot play. This human connection also ties in to the fundamental belief of Shintoism. What made me interested in the lecture wasn’t the information itself, but how the priests were so happy to be able to teach others about their culture. They invited people up to play the instruments and applauded even when the noise was truly awful. They showed so much passion for their culture and their music. It was inspiring. In conclusion, I’m really thankful that I was able to listen to these priests speak and play. If Japan, a country so famous for being the capital of isolation, with their video games and anime can be so connected to one another, why can’t the rest of the world?

 

One thought on “An Introduction to Shinto and Gagaku: Japan’s Traditional Religion and Music

  1. Mallory,

    I’m really glad you were able to go to this IJS/EASC event. It is a perfect example of an event that intersects with IA. Well done!

    -S

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