Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Traditional · Arts
雅楽の主な楽器には、笙、篳篥、龍笛、琵琶、太鼓などがございます。 — The main instruments of gagaku include sho, hichiriki, ryuteki, biwa, and taiko drums. (Cultural · Traditional · Arts, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N3)
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雅楽の主な楽器には、笙、篳篥、龍笛、琵琶、太鼓などがございます。
ががくのおもながっきには、しょう、ひちりき、りゅうてき、びわ、たいこなどがございます。
The main instruments of gagaku include sho, hichiriki, ryuteki, biwa, and taiko drums.
Romaji: Gagaku no shu na gakki ni wa, shou, hichiriki, ryuuteki, biwa, taiko nado ga gozaimasu. / Reply Romaji: Shou tte ano fukushikata ga kawatta gakki desu yo ne?
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笙ってあの吹き方が変わった楽器ですよね？
しょうってあのふきかたがかわったがっきですよね？
Sho is that instrument with the unusual playing style, right?
Gesture & etiquette
If explaining, count instruments on fingers. Mime each: sho (mouth at upright pipes), hichiriki (small reed at mouth), ryuteki (horizontal flute), biwa (lap-held lute), taiko (sticks). Speak with reverent tone—these instruments are imperial heritage.
Gagaku ensemble instruments: 笙 (sho—17-pipe mouth organ, sustained chord, 'sound of heaven'), 篳篥 (hichiriki—double-reed oboe, melody, 'sound of earth/humanity'), 龍笛 (ryuteki—flute, melodic counterpoint, 'sound of flying dragon'), 琵琶 (biwa—lute, plucked rhythm), 太鼓 (taiko—drum, timing). Together they create the otherworldly aesthetic that survived 1000+ years.