Pre-6th century: before large-scale importation of Asian culture
Yamato people first to establish imperial lineage.
Influence from Korean kingdoms (from the 5th century)
Music: drums, flutes, wagon (indigenous zither); kume uta

Nara (553-794): first international period; rule of aristocracy
Kojiki and Nihon shoki (8th cent.): creation mythology; poetry.
  Tale of the Sun Goddess: music and dance central to ritual.
Introduction of Buddhism (from 6th cent.) Shomyo (Buddhist chant)
Tang Dynasty in China (618-907) - center of continental culture
 Court established at Nara (710); society follows Chinese model
 Music of the aristocracy: Gagaku (continental music of Asia)
  Imperial Music Bureau (est. 701); musicians from China, Korea
  Bronze Buddha dedication with continental music and dance (749)

Heian (794-1185): assimilation and modification of Chinese influences
 Court moves to Kyoto (794); relations with Tang Dynasty end (9th cent.).
  Gagaku becomes “Japanese” music.
 Weakening of imperial and aristocratic power.

Kamakura (1185-1333): fall of aristocracy; military rise to power
 Increasing influence of Buddhism (popular and elite); Zen and militarism.
 Music supported by the military class (influenced by Buddhist chant):
  Storytelling with biwa (plucked lute); emphasis on vocal; dramatic music.

Muromachi/Ashikaga (1333-1615): instability, warfare, small political units
Noh theater: popular theater combined with Buddhist chant (14th-15th cent.)
Changes in instrument construction led to present day versions of
 shakuhachi (end-blown bamboo flute)
 koto (13-string plucked zither)
 shamisen (3-string plucked lute)

Tokugawa/Edo (1615-1868): isolation, social control, rise of middle class
 Isolation from the Western world; Edo (Tokyo) becomes govt. center.
Class system strictly enforced: samurai, farmer, artisan, merchant.
Economic transformation from agricultural to commercial society.
Development of middle class entertainment:
 kabuki theater and bunraku (puppet theater): shamisen music
 chamber music: koto; shamisen

Meiji (1868-1912): open to the West; second international period; industrialism
 Western influence on govt.; society; and music (military music).

20th Century: democracy; coexistence of “Japanese” and Western culture

Trends: dominant position of vocal music; growth of theater; teacher-student relationship.