Musical Instrument Day (Gakki no Hi)

What Is Musical Instrument Day?

June 6 is "Musical Instrument Day" (Gakki no Hi) in Japan. It was established in 1970 by the All Japan Musical Instrument Association (全国楽器協会). The day comes from an old Japanese saying that "starting lessons in the arts at age 6 on June 6 leads to mastery," and aims to spread a culture of enjoying musical instruments.

The Saying "Age 6, on June 6"

The idea of starting lessons at six is old: in "Fūshikaden," the Muromachi-period noh master Zeami wrote that training should begin at "seven years old" -- counted in the traditional way, which corresponds to about six in modern terms. The 6th day of the 6th month of the old lunar calendar was once considered the day to begin artistic lessons, and after the Meiji calendar reform this shifted to June 6th of the solar calendar. One explanation for the number six is that when you count on your fingers, the little finger (ko-yubi) stands up at six, a pun on "ko ga tatsu" (the child stands on their own).

• The age for starting lessons appears even in Zeami's "Fūshikaden"
• Applied broadly across various art forms
• Used historically for musical instruments, traditional dance, calligraphy, and more

Basic Categories of Musical Instruments

Instruments are generally classified according to how they produce sound. The following everyday categories are often used:

• String instruments: Produce sound through vibrating strings (e.g., koto, shamisen, guitar, violin)
• Wind instruments: Produce sound through vibrating air (e.g., flutes, shakuhachi, Western flute, trumpet)
• Percussion instruments: Produce sound by being struck (e.g., taiko drums, tsuzumi, drum kits)
• Keyboard instruments: Produce sound through keys (e.g., piano, organ)

Japan's Traditional Instruments and Musical Culture

Japan has developed its own rich instrumental culture over a long history. In traditional performing arts such as gagaku (court music), noh, and kabuki, specific instruments play essential roles. June 6th is also "Hōgaku Day" (Japanese Traditional Music Day), established by the Tokyo association of traditional instrument dealers.

• The shō, hichiriki, and ryūteki used in gagaku court music
• The koto and shamisen used in traditional Japanese music (hōgaku)
• The taiko drum culture tied to festivals and performing arts

The Relationship Between Instruments and People

Musical instruments are far more than just tools for making sound -- they have developed as a means of expressing human emotions and ideas. Instrumental performance has long played a role in religious ceremonies, entertainment, and education.

• Use in rituals and festivals
• Use in education and personal discipline
• As an expression of regional culture and historical context

Ways to Enjoy Musical Instrument Day

• Research the differences between Japanese and international instrument classification systems.
• Learn how a particular instrument has evolved over time.
• Pay attention to the mechanics of sound -- vibration and resonance.
• Explore the relationship between traditional instruments and modern music.

An Entry Point Into the Culture of Learning Music

Musical Instrument Day, on June 6, is a day to look not just at "listening" to music, but at the culture of "playing" it. Instruments have connected with people's lives across time and place throughout history. If there's an instrument you never got around to learning as a child, today might be a good day to start as an adult.