tsuyogin

Japanese music

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July 14, 2026

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The term "tsuyogin" refers to the strong melodic style in Noh music, a significant form of Japanese theatre. This style is characterized by fundamental tones that are closer together compared to the lyric style ("yowagin"). Specifically, in the strong style, the jō and chū tones are at the same pitch, while the ge tone is approximately a minor third below. This contrasts with the lyric style, where the three basic tones (jō, chū, and ge) are a fourth apart. Both styles utilize various formulas and ornamentations, drawing from traditions in Buddhist chant and secular court songs, and are subject to specific performance practices and notation systems within different Noh schools. The tsuzumi, a type of hourglass-shaped drum, is an instrument commonly found in Noh theatre.12

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Japanese music
Melodic principles
…basic styles, the strong (tsuyogin) and the lyric (yowagin). Their differences are most evident in the placement of fundamental tones and the use of auxiliary tones around them. In the lyric style the three basic tones (jō, chū, and ge) are a fourth apart. The movement to and from…
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…basic styles, the strong (tsuyogin) and the lyric (yowagin). Their differences are most evident in the placement of fundamental tones and the use of auxiliary tones around them. In the lyric style the three basic tones (jō, chū, and ge) are a fourth apart. The movement to and from…
Read More