18. Traditional Music

Modern Japanese music is influenced both instrumentally and stylistically by Western music, but the country has its own indigenous music, the history of which stretches back over a millennia. This time on Japanology Plus, we'll explore that music, and hear instruments like the shamisen, koto and taiko that reflect a unique Japanese sensibility toward sound. Our guest is Naoya Mura, a dancer conversant with many kinds of traditional Japanese music. And in Plus One, learning how to play the koto.