2011 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

The role of the body in the performance and transmission of traditional music in Okinawa

Research Project

Project/Area Number	22720066
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Research Field	Study of the arts/History of the arts/Arts in general
Research Institution	International Christian University
Principal Investigator	GILLAN Matthew 国際基督教大学, 教養学部, 准教授 (50468550)
Project Period (FY)	2010 – 2011
Keywords	身体 / 琉球音楽 / 流派 / 三線 / kinesthetic / gesture / Okinawan music
Research Abstract	This research project examined the role of physical movements and gestures in the performance of Okinawan uta-sanshin and koto music. Movements were examined not only from the perspective of sound-production, but were also observed in the teaching process and as a way of imagining group identities. Physical movements were recorded as video footage, and this footage was analysed. In order to assess how performers understand and verbalize about physical movements, interviews with performers were carried out. Published musical treatises and notations were also examined to analyze the way in which physical movements are theorized in Okinawan music society.

(3 results)