SONGS OF JAPAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 200, 24 August 1929, Page 18 (Supplement)

SONGS OF JAPAN.

NO NATIVE MELODIES.

COLLECTIVE SINGING SHUNNED

WESTERN MUSIC POPULAR.

(By THOMAS STEEP.)

The Japanese, it appears, are almost songless. They . have singing insects (cicadae), which they imprison in tiny cages of horsehair or bamboo, singing birds and musical frogs that sing or whistle. Only the geisha girls sing, the fishermen sailing in their sampans on the placid Inland' Sea hum drowsy tunes, and the coolies carrying heavy freight aboard the steamers in the eeaports chant rhythmically to lighten their burdens. . With the .introduction of. European music, after the decline of the shoguns, there sprang up certain specialised songs, as shoka {songs .to be sung in schools), gunka (military songs) and sanbika (missionary songs);, but outside of schools, barracKs and missions they were not popular. The intelligent Japanese immemorially have disliked collective singing, preferring to be attentive listeners to a song rather than participants in it. At feasts only one person at a time may sing; to join in the chorus shows lack of appreciation. A Japanese Lament. Observing the abandon with which westerners indulge in song regardless of its artistic merit, they are, however, beginning to lament their incapacity for collective singing. Keizo Horiuchi, writing in the Tokyo "Nichi Nichi," asserts his countrymen are alone among civilised peoples in their condition of national songlessness. "Why is it we have no songs to sing?"asks Horiuchi. "In foreign lands it is inspiring to see people at festivals, public gatherings or impromptu meetings burst into spontaneous song. It awakens a spirit of liveliness and joy; it makes for conviviality and at times i* stirs patriotic sentiments. But in our country tho people either have no ear for singing ior are too polite to join in when another sings. We find pleasure only in listening. It is regrettable that there are many Japanese who cannot sing even the national anthem, 'Kimigayo'." As the Japanese have taken up western instrumental music enthusiastically, until it is now almost as popular as native music, mere indifference of unmusicalness cannot be held responsible for their aversion to public singing. The reason is more fundamental. In the days of the shoguns the theme of song was almost exclusively heroic deeds in battle, description of combat and Bcaling of castle walls and personal praise of warriors with polished swords and rattling armour of lacquered wood. As it related a story, often of considerable length, it had to be rendered by a soloist who must command respectful silence in order to be understood.

Wlien the Japanese began to take a forward place among other nations the Japanese Army officials realised the advantages of sentimental songs to cheer their troops and to maintain moral. They noticed that among British and American troops songs, not necessarily patriotic, aroused a spirit of unity. Accordingly when the Russo-Japanese War broke out the Japanese generals hastened to have some songs composed. At the siege of Port Arthur that great fortress was likened in a song to a fair damsel which the Japanese troope were trying to woo. The song had tha desired psychological effect and shared with bullets the glory of Port Arthur's capitulation. But the song was soon forgotten and the Japanese soldier of to-day, like the rest of his countrymen, silently sips tea while listening enraptured to a soloist's glorification of a medieval shogun. Western Music Essential. The most recent authority on the popularity of western instrumental music is "Japan To-day and Tomorrow," published in Osaka, which says: "Western music is now an essential part of Japanese culture, although only sixty years have elapsed since its introduction to the people. Klost of the classical selections popular in western countries are familiar to many Japanese, and an appreciable number of capable violinists, pianists, vocalists, composers and orchestras are available for their interpretation. The Japanese, having an inherent love for the arts, have been quick to absorb the beauties of such music and have made it their own. Musicians of fame are aa yet few iin the country, but before many years, judging by present progress, the Japanese people will be represented in the Valhalla of the music by many worthy performers. "The music of the West began to percolate into Japan in 1868. The first brass band was formed in the army a years later under British and Germai\ instructors. Only wind instruments were used at first, but by 1880 strings were employed. By concentrating the Japanese began to understand opera and symphonies. Now they even' understand jazz." *■