[Column] Memories of the vibrations of Mukkuri: A cultural history of the sounds and bodies spun by the Ainu mouth harp
Column en Ainu Instrument Tribe![[Column] Memories of the vibrations of Mukkuri: A cultural history of the sounds and bodies spun by the Ainu mouth harp](/../assets/images/column-mukkuri.webp)
What is Mukkuri: The smallest musical device
Text: mmr｜Theme: Deciphering the sonic philosophy of Ainu culture and its historical changes through the smallest musical instrument “mukkuri” that resonates with the body and nature.
The mukkuri, a traditional Ainu musical instrument, is a type of musical instrument classified as a so-called ““mouth harp.’’ A tongue-shaped part (reed) is cut out from the center of a long, thin bamboo board, and a string is attached to the end. When the string is pulled, the reed vibrates, producing sound using the oral cavity as a resonator.
Although the mukkuri has a simple structure, it produces extremely delicate changes in sound. Although the pitch itself cannot be changed significantly, the timbre changes depending on how the mouth opens, the position of the tongue, and the way one breathes, resulting in a wide variety of acoustic expressions.
A feature of this instrument is that ““the performer’s body itself becomes a part of the instrument.’’ Sound is not manipulated from the outside, but is generated in conjunction with the space inside the body. Therefore, the mukkuri is not just a musical instrument, but also a device that allows one to directly experience the relationship between the body and sound.
Mukkuri is an instrument that “resonates” rather than “plays”
Position in Ainu culture
It is said that the mukkuri was often played mainly by women. It has been used in daily life for play, communication, and personal expression.
In Ainu culture, music existed naturally not only in ceremonial scenes but also in everyday life. Mukkuri is a symbol of this, and it is music that takes place within the individual’s body and time, without the need for a special stage or ritual.
It has also been thought that the sounds of the mukkuri are closely connected to the sounds of nature. It had the property of resonating with environmental sounds such as wind, rivers, and animal voices, and played a role in blurring the boundaries between music and nature.
From this background, it is thought that mukkuri was not just a form of entertainment, but also a medium through which people could feel their relationship with nature.
Mukkuri was a sound device that bridged the boundary between nature and humans.
Structure and acoustic principles
The basic structure of the Mukkuri is very simple, but its acoustic principle is interesting. The central reed vibrates to create a basic sound, which is amplified and transformed within the oral cavity.
Its structure is shown below.
Since the reed’s vibration frequency is constant, changes in pitch are primarily caused by the manipulation of overtones. Performers control the tone by emphasizing specific overtones by changing the shape of their mouth and the position of their tongue.
This mechanism is common with mouth harps from other regions (such as those in Mongolia and Europe), but the mukkuri is characterized by a particularly soft and delicate sound.
Mukkuri’s sound is a delicate acoustic phenomenon created by overtone manipulation
Production techniques and materials
Mukkuri is mainly made from bamboo. Bamboo is lightweight and has a suitable amount of elasticity, making it suitable for reed vibration.
Production includes the following steps:
Machining the reed part is particularly important, as slight differences in thickness and shape can greatly affect the sound. Therefore, the skill and experience of the producer determines the sound quality.
It is also sometimes decorated with carvings, and has value not only as a musical instrument but also as a craft.
Mukkuri is a product of precision handiwork that combines crafts and acoustic technology.
Comparison with mouth harps from other regions
The mouth harp is a musical instrument that exists all over the world, and is distributed widely in Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Mukkuri is also placed in this lineage.
However, there are some distinctive differences.
・Material is bamboo instead of metal ・The sound is soft and the duration is short ・Cultural background where mainly women perform ・Focused on personal and internal uses
On the other hand, common points include the use of body resonance and timbre changes through overtone manipulation.
From this comparison, it can be seen that even among the universal musical instruments known as the mouth harp, the mukkuri has a form that is particularly closely connected to daily life.
Mukkuri is a musical instrument that is closely connected to daily life in the global mouth harp culture.
Changes since modern times
With the progress of modernization, Ainu culture underwent major changes. Mukkuri is no exception, and at one point its tradition was on the verge of extinction.
However, from the latter half of the 20th century onwards, mukkuri began to be reevaluated amidst the movement for cultural revival. It is once again attracting attention as it is increasingly being performed in education, tourism, and the performing arts.
Furthermore, with the development of recording technology, the sound of Mukkuri has spread both domestically and internationally, and its value as folk music has come to be recognized.
Nowadays, while preserving the traditional performance style, attempts are being made to combine it with new music.
Mukkuri is played as a sound that connects tradition and modernity.
Chronology: Mukkuri and the flow of Ainu culture
The history of Mukkuri overlaps with the changes in Ainu culture itself.
Philosophy of sound: body, nature, time
Mukkuri’s greatest feature is that its sounds are closely connected to the body, nature, and time.
Body: The oral cavity becomes a resonator and sound is generated from within. Nature: Tones harmonize with environmental sounds and blur the boundaries Time: Emphasis on duration and change rather than rhythm.
These three elements represent a musical perspective that differs from Western musical structures. Mukkuri focuses on the texture and changes in the sound itself, rather than the melody or harmony.
As a result, it is more of a music that you can “feel” rather than listen to.
Mukkuri exists as a sensory experience beyond music
Significance in modern times
In modern society, the mukkuri has come to mean more than just a traditional musical instrument.
As digital music and electronic sounds become mainstream, body-based sounds like Mukkuri present contrasting values. There is immediacy, chance, and individuality.
Furthermore, the way that rich acoustics can be created from a minimalist structure is highly suggestive for contemporary music production.
The idea of ”“drawing out” sound rather than ““creating” it is an opportunity to reconsider the fundamental nature of music.
Mukkuri is a presence that makes us reconsider the origins of music in modern times.
