Etenraku
Etenraku is a Japanese gagaku melody and dance. It is usually played with a hichiriki or ryūteki, and is accompanied by other traditional instruments such as the shō, koto and kakko.
History
The origin of Etenraku is not fully known. There are theories that the melody was created in Japan, but others believe that it is from Khotan, a tributary state of the Tang dynasty that became part of the repertoire of the Chinese court.During the Heian period, a gagaku form known as imayō became popular. In this form, poems would be sung using melodies. Etenraku was one of the most popular melodies to be used in imayō.
In 1931, Hidemaro Konoye arranged an orchestral version of the piece, and it was later picked up by Leopold Stokowski.
These days, Etenraku is often performed at wedding ceremonies.