Komagaku

'''''Komagaku''''' (高麗楽) is a style of ''gagaku'', the traditional court music of Japan. It developed primarily during the Heian period and is based largely on musical traditions transmitted from Koguryeo and other regions of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, collectively known as ''sankangaku''.<ref>Daijirin "雅楽の分類の一。平安初期の楽制改革で、従来の三韓楽と渤海楽を合わせて成立。"</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ailab.kyungpook.ac.kr/kmd/korea_music.htm|title=About Korea: Culture: Performing Arts: Music|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705071737/http://ailab.kyungpook.ac.kr/kmd/korea_music.htm|archivedate=2008-07-05}}</ref> Komagaku is frequently performed as accompaniment for court dances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yoshinoantiques.com/masks.html|title=Masks Of Japan|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516061113/http://www.yoshinoantiques.com/masks.html|archivedate=2007-05-16}}</ref>

In contrast to other forms of ''gagaku'', Komagaku does not employ plucked string instruments, relying instead on wind and percussion instruments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9035796/gagaku|title=gagaku - Britannica Concise}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

== History == Komagaku emerged during the early Heian period as part of reforms to the Japanese court music system. These reforms reorganized earlier imported musical styles, incorporating musical elements from the Korean peninsula and neighboring regions into a formalized court repertoire. Komagaku was distinguished from other ''gagaku'' categories by its geographic origins and instrumentation, and it became closely associated with specific ceremonial and dance traditions at the imperial court.<ref>Daijirin</ref>

== Musical characteristics == Komagaku is characterized by its exclusive use of wind and percussion instruments. Typical instruments include the ''komabue'' (a transverse bamboo flute), ''taiko'', ''kakko'', and ''shōko''. The absence of string instruments gives Komagaku a distinctive timbre compared to ''togaku'', another major ''gagaku'' style.

Rhythmically, Komagaku pieces often feature lively tempos and strong percussive patterns, reflecting their historical use in dance accompaniment.

== Dance and performance == Komagaku is most commonly performed in conjunction with traditional court dances, particularly ''bugaku''. The dances associated with Komagaku are typically energetic and stylized, with performers wearing masks and elaborate costumes. These performances were historically presented at court ceremonies and continue to be preserved by imperial and cultural institutions in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yoshinoantiques.com/masks.html|title=Masks Of Japan|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516061113/http://www.yoshinoantiques.com/masks.html|archivedate=2007-05-16}}</ref>

== Repertoire == The Komagaku repertoire consists of a limited number of pieces compared to other ''gagaku'' styles. Many works are believed to preserve musical structures derived from ancient Korean court music, though they have been adapted over centuries within the Japanese court tradition.

== See also == * Gagaku * Bugaku * Togaku * Music of Korea * Music of Japan

== References == <references/>

Category:Gagaku Category:Japanese traditional music Category:Korean traditional music