Sounding the Conch Horn, Hora-gai in Modern Japanese Life : A Survey in Joetsu City and Nou Town (Northern Japan)

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  • 現代日本での法螺貝の響き : 上越市と能生地区での調査

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Abstract

To blow a conch horn as a form of signal is considered an ancient custom within the modern Japanese life. However, at least until 1970, this form of signal was used frequently in a number of wards and localities within a rural district of Japan (Joetsu city and Nou town). The meanings of the signals were varied, including signals to mark farm-work holidays, festival events and ceremonial functions. The conch horn was sounded at the otorikoshi festival in Muryoji temple, Kiyosato ward, the sainokami festival held in various localities, and in marriage ceremonies in Nashidaira, Kiyosato as well as in funeral ceremonies in Sanwa. The conch horn is even in use today in Sanwa to convey a variety of different messages. In Nou town, the conch horn is used as a musical instrument in the spring festival. This study confirms that the conch horn is in continued use as a form of signal and musical instrument in rural areas of Japan. Precisely because we lead modern lives based on advanced information technology, the benefit of such traditional signal forms should be recognized again and traditional conch horn sounds should be further introduced into modern life through music.

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