Western Art Music in Japan

What is it about?

This introduction to the Nineteenth-Century Music Review's special issue on Japan gives a brief outline of one of Japan's greatest success story: the introduction and appropriation of Western art music. Within a little more than a century Japan became an export country for musical instruments, sound technology and even musical pedagogy, in particular the famous Suzuki Method; not to mention the numerous Japanese musicians who made a name for themselves in Western countries.

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Why is it important?

Japan's successful modernization on Western premises, in the second half of the nineteenth century, included the introduction and adoption of Western music. Measured against the intentions of Japan's leaders and the high reputation gained by many Japanese musicians abroad, it was highly successful. Yet research so far has left many questions unanswered. In particular, the relationship between Western music and the traditional music of Japan merits closer attention.