JAPAN FOCUS

JAPAN is a nation blessed with fascinating traditions and stunning natural beauty. It also possesses a unique blend of music, which has become famous for being a melting pot of styles.

While proud and committed to its traditional musical past, Japan has adopted music from around the world and developed into a dynamic hub of sound in the Asia.

From the taiko, shakuhachi and shamizen through to the modern day turntable, guitar and sound system, Japan is actively involved in all aspects of global music and has something to suit everyone’s taste.

While parts of the world may be familiar with Morning Musume, DJ Krush and to a lesser musical extent Yoko Ono, the story of Japanese music is long.

Singing in traditional Japanese Kimono. Pic: Lwin Maung Maung

Many years have passed since the Geisha hung up their shamisen and the Samurai dropped their shakuhachi – and swords – but classic songs from Japan’s past continue to play an important role in this most modern of countries.

Covered by the megastars of Jpop and performed at school graduations, traditional songs— such as Sakura and Furusato — let the people of Japan reflect on their roots.

Thankfully these performances are not only reserved for celebrity and ceremony. Due to the karaoke phenomena even the closet crooners of Nippon can fulfill their musical desires, albeit reverb heavy, at anytime.

Hoping to spread the wonderful sounds of traditional Japanese music, a recent collaboration between the Japanese Embassy and the Gitameit music school brought a selection of these songs to Myanmar.

The Gitameit school is famous in Myanmar for its musical excellence. Founded by Professor Kit Young in 2003, the school has provided many opportunities for students in Myanmar to develop their musical ability, experience foreign arrangements and perform for audiences.

In the few years the school has operated they have already organised more than 100 concerts – a major accomplishment considering their funding is largely donations.

This first concert of Japanese songs provided some unique challenges for the students, particularly the pronunciation for the choir. Instruments transcend language barriers but it is not so easy with phonetics.

The director of the music centre, U Moe Naing, said all members of Gitameit had to practice the songs many time and focus on the Japanese pronunciation.

“Although we have performed countless concerts since the centre opened in 2003, I was a bit worried about this concert because we had only three weeks to prepare,” said U Moe Naing.

Normally, the choir group practices three days a week but for the Japanese concert they doubled their efforts.

About 30 students from the Gitameit choir, wearing red and black Kimono (traditional Japanese dress), performed 19 songs in total accompanied by piano and violins.

The concert featured a mix of both old and new songs. “We chose classic songs that are both traditional and simple but also included some famous pop songs. Among them Hana is popular here as there is a Myanmar version and Sakura is also well known,” he said.

Furusato — Hometown Usagi oishi kanoyama In my childhood I chased rabbits in the mountains Kobuna tsurishi kanokawa In my childhood I fished in the river Yume wa ima mo megurite I remember those times like a dream Wasuregataki furusato I can’t forget my hometown Ikaniimasu chichi haha I wonder how my parents are Tsutsuganashiya tomogaki I hope all my friends are well Ameni kazeni tsuketemo Whenever it rains or the wind blows my mind wanders back there Omoi izuru furusato I remember my hometown

Perhaps those in the best position to judge the concert were the Japanese nationals who attended the event. A long way from home, it seemed the performance moved more than one audience member.

“When they were singing the song, Furusato (Home town), I really wanted to go back to my home town. It made me remember that I do come from Japan. I wasn’t listening with my ears, I was listening with my heart,” said Ms Yumi Hasegawa, who said she was impressed by the performance.

“Some Japanese words are hard to pronounce. But I think they pulled it off remarkably well.”

Ngai Ngai, who sang the song Hana (Flower) solo, said she was excited during her performance as the songs were new and challenging for her.
“It was the first time we have created a concert of Japanese music. I had heard Japanese songs in the past but had never attempted to sing them. I feel very proud and glad that I could sing solo in the concert,” said Ngai Ngai.

Attended by more than 320 people, Gitameit brought a taste of Japan to Myanmar for a brief moment last week. As the crowd left the venue, one could imagine the minds, and hearts, of the audience wandering back to their hometown far, far away.