ISLAMABAD: The Japanese Embassy celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan by organising an evening of classical Gagaku music and dance performances at Islamabad Club on Monday.

Gagaku, literally translating to ‘elegant music’ is a centuries old Japanese classical music that has been performed by the musicians of the Japanese Imperial Household at the Imperial Court in Kyoto and at various holy shrines and temples.

It was introduced to Japan with Buddhism from China.

The show featured renowned Japanese Gagaku artistes, Tsukomo Togi and her daughter Masami Togi.

The Togi family is one of the few noble families who have safeguarded the musical tradition of Gagaku for 1,300 years.

Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai gave a warm welcome to the performers and guests.

“This music was developed to be heard in the ancient courts of Asia and as such was intended to reflect a sense of elegance, leisure and power. It is difficult for most of us today to perceive the intricate formal patterns of this music because we are unaccustomed to such imperial music, but it does reflect something of the grace and elegance of earlier times,” he said.

The evening began with Bugako, a traditional dance performed to a Gagaku melody. In a piece called “Rangryo-o”, a man dressed in a bright orange robe, donning a gold dragon mask honoured a Chinese warrior who was known for his valour.

The dance consisted of regal and refined movements, as if it was a re-enactment of a battle.

The rest of the show consisted of ‘Kangen’: instrumental music consisting of an ensemble. Tsukumo Togi, styling a traditional kimono, entered the stage playing a Sho, a wind instrument consisting of 17 slender bamboo pipes.

Her daughter complimented the harmony with a Ryuteki, known as the dragon flute, which represents the cry of dragons that ascend the skies between the earth and heaven. “The ancient people consider that playing these instruments together is an expression of the whole universe,” Ms Togi explained.

According to her, “Gagaku was developed among the aristocrat society; playing the music was an essential element for becoming a literary aristocrat. In the ancient times, the aristocrat would play the Gagaku by appreciating nature, such as the blossoming of a flower, or when the moon is shining, or when the leaves are turning.”

Perhaps, it is for this reason that the music chosen for the evening were purely inspired by nature, such as ‘Hoshi ga Miteiru’ -or Stars are Glittering Upon You- and ‘Jupiter’. The heartfelt performance charmed the audience with its soulful and calming melodies.

The ambassador, while pointing out the similarity of the musical instruments used in Pakistani folk or Sufi music, requested the audience to feel something in common with the Japanese culture.

“I hope these cultural events organized by the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan will further strengthen the bonds of friendship and affection between our two nations,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2017