Gagaku, meaning “elegant music”, is an ancient court music of Japan.

The music is of foreign origin and imported largely from China and Korea as early as the 6th century and established as a court tradition by the 8th century.

Mostly, and mainly it is played by three instruments which are Hichiriki, Sho, and Ryuteki. It is about the 10th century when it completed in its artistic form, and from whence it has been passed down from generation to generation under the patronage of the Japanese Imperial Family.

Instrumental performances of gagaku with dance are called Bugaku which you can enjoy in this show and the workshop.
　
雅楽は、1200年以上の歴史を持ち、日本の伝統音楽として、海外でも非常に高く評価されている我が国の古典音楽です。
世界最古の文学、源氏物語にもたびたび雅楽の音色について描かれており、主人公の光源氏が雅楽に合わせて舞を踊る様子も描かれています。
雅楽の伝統は、奈良時代から現在に至るまで1000年以上にわたって伝承され続けており、宮内庁楽部の演奏は国の重要無形文化遺産、また、ユネスコ「世界無形文化遺産」にも登録されています。