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Classical Music and its Origins

Rojigaku

Photograph of the Rojigaku
Procession of the Rojigaku
Sapposhi Procession (Okinawa Prefectural Museum)
Sapposhi Procession (Okinawa Prefectural Museum)

This is a traveler's music that came from China. Performed with a wind instrument, commonly called "Gaku" and "Gakubura," it is mainly played in processions.
Rojigaku is said to have been started by Morizato Takushi, who traveled to China in 1522 as an envoy to congratulate the enthronement of Emperor Shi Zong. He saw Rojigaku played in the emperor's procession, studied it for implementation into the Ryukyu kingdom procession, and upon his return bought the phoenix carriage the emperor rode as well as some instruments (tsuona and taiko) to bring back home. After that, Rojigaku was always played in the king's procession and during the Edo pilgrimages, attracting the attention of many people on the roadside. The ones conveyed today are namely the Rojigaku of the Shuri Royal government, Wakugawa in Nakijin Village, Imadomari in Nakijin Village, and Tanahara in Nishihara Town.

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Rojigaku-Sound-performance 1'25"

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