Japanese Studies Resource

Noh (能 nō) is the oldest continually performed style of theater in the world. It dates back to the 14th century, and in the 17th century it became the official ceremonial art of the government of Japan.

Kabuki (歌舞伎, literally "sing/dance/act") is a form of theater that became more popular among common people in Japan. It was first performed in the 17th century.

Bunraku (文楽 bunraku) is a type of puppet theater originating in the city of Osaka.

Kyogen (狂言, literally "mad words") are short farces performed between nō plays; also, actors who play kyōgen roles; also, a term used after the 1650s for *kabuki performances or texts. 

Rakugo (落語, literally 'fallen words') is a performance whereby a single storyteller recounts an often humorous tale while seated seiza style using nothing but two props: a fan and a handkerchief. 

Rōkyoku (浪曲; also called Naniwa-bushi, 浪花節) is a genre of traditional Japanese narrative singing. 
 

Japanese folk music (邦楽 hōgaku) is ancient and diverse. Some of the representative traditional instruments of Japan include the koto (琴), a long, stringed wooden board, the biwa (琵琶), a type of lute, and the shakuhachi (尺八), a bamboo flute.

Taiko (太鼓 taiko) is the Japanese word for drum. In English, it is often used to refer to a particular type of drum ensemble known in Japan as kumi-daiko which developed after World War II.

Okinawa music (沖縄音楽 Okinawa ongaku) is music following the cultural traditions of the Ryukyu Islands, the largest of which is Okinawa. The shamisen, an important instrument in both kabuki and bunraku, was brought to Japan by the Okinawans. 

Enka (演歌 enka) is a form of Japanese popular music said to resemble traditional Japanese songs. Enka songs are usually sentimental ballads that are distinct from Western popular genres