Feast of Sound - Shomyo

What is Shomyo?
Shomyo" refers to Buddhist vocal music in which a melodic inflection is added to a sutra or mantra. The original form of shomyo originated with the establishment of the primitive Buddhist cult in India, and was introduced to Japan via China with the arrival of Buddhism as an important element of Buddhist rituals. The musical theory, melodic style, and vocal techniques of shōmyō greatly influenced later forms of vocal music such as heikyoku, yokyoku, min'yo, joruri, and nagauta, and is now highly regarded as the "origin of Japanese music" and as a superior religious (liturgical) music in terms of history and musicality.

～The voice of prayer resonates across time and space.
Shomyo" was introduced to Japan by Saicho and Kukai along with Buddhism along the Silk Road from India, and has taken deep root in Japan through the ages. In this exhibition, traditional folk instruments from northern India, the birthplace of Buddhism, will be used to trace the underlying resonance of the shomyo.
We hope you will listen carefully to the "prayer through sound" that has continued since ancient times.


Tendai Shomyo Shichiseikai
The name of the association, "shichishoukai", is based on the five syllables and seven syllables of the Shomyo Gakuritsu. The group not only introduces and transmits classical shōmyō, but also actively cooperates in the fusion of shōmyō and contemporary music as "shōmyō no kai (shōmyō no kai)," which transcends religious sects, through performances at the National Theatre of Japan and abroad, lectures at music colleges, etc., and various other activities. The group also gives performances in Japan and abroad, gives lectures at music colleges, and conducts various other activities.

Motoyasu Tatsuno / sitar
Moved to India from 1979 to 1982. Studied under court musician Pndit Balaram Pathak. He has been studying classical music, performing classical music and ensembles with musicians from Japan, Nepal, and Thailand, and giving concerts as a sitar player throughout Japan.

Yuka Okuda/Tampura Tagore Song
Yuka Okuda studied at the National Bhishio-Bharoti University of India, which was founded by the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, in order to experience his collection of poems "Gitanjali" in its original language. He completed his Bachelor and Master's degrees in Tagore's Songs and Musical Aesthetics at the University's Faculty of Music. She has organized the group "Tagore's Tree," which holds concerts of Tagore songs and singing classes using the traditional method of teaching.