![]() ![]() It should be noted that there are two historically significant koto schools that developed in Japan: the “Ikuta-ryu” (生田流) / Ikuta school and the “Yamada-ryu” (山田流) / Yamada school. As the blind musicians of tōdō started teaching koto to civilians, the instrument’s infectious beauty gradually spread among the general public. Consequently, the koto was initially (a proprietary patent) performed solely by the blind artist guild, and as such barred ordinary civilians from becoming professional koto performers. This tōdō, in turn, received protection from the shogunate and, moreover, was granted various exclusive rights as professional music performers. Given Yatsuhashi Kengyo’s stature as one of the esteemed members of this hierarchically structured organization, the word “kengyo” (検校) hence became referred to as the highest-ranking member of the tōdō. ![]() Since Yatsuhashi Kengyo was originally a master of the “jiuta shamisen” (地歌三味線), he used this pentatonic scale to derive the hirajōshi scale, which remarkably is still used today as the formative tuning for the koto instrument.ĭuring this period, a guild for blind men called “tōdō” (当道) was prevalent. As one of the reforms, Yatsuhashi Kengyo created a new tuning called “hirajōshi” (平調子). At that time, the hemitonic pentatonic scale referred to as the “miyakobushi onkai” (都節音階) was prevalent among the common people and was already adopted in shamisen music. Undeterred by his blindness, “Yatsuhashi Kengyo” (八橋検校) (who studied this Tsukushi style koto in the 17th century) would go on to create the koto methodology, which became the basis of what now comprises present-day koto music. Over time, it came to be used not only as an ensemble instrument but also as an accompaniment instrument for the singer.Īround the 16th century, the monk “Kenjun” (賢順) of Kyushu created “Tsukushiryu sokyoku” (筑紫流箏曲), the Tsukushi school of koto music. The koto used in gagaku is called “gakuso” (楽箏). When the koto was first imported to Japan, it was used only by the Japanese court music called “gagaku” (雅楽). ![]() Possessing a long and storied pedigree, the koto was first introduced to Japan during the 7th and 8th century from China. ![]()
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