Investigating Embodiment in Oral Mnemonics within Japanese Music

An oral mnemonic system known as shōga (literally meaning “singing song”), which can be practised without a musical instrument, is an indispensable means for transmitting or representing melodies in Japanese traditional music genres. While it has come to be written as a kind of music notation as well, shōga is primarily the bodily experience that begins with imitating the master’s voice and movements in a one-on-one teaching scenario. This article aims to approach the nature of shōga-performing practices from both quantitative and qualitative angles, dealing especially with the case of a wind instrument in court music (gagaku). After discussions on shōga and the rhythmic properties of instrumental music in gagaku, sound/movement data will be examined and combined with interview results from a participating musician. The investigation reveals that a multi-angled knowledge of shōga practices can provide insight into the essence of rhythmic expression in Japanese music genres.