Suda Y. Western Influences into Japanese Music Art in Meiji era (1868–1912)

The thesis is dedicated to the beginning stages of the interaction of Western and Japanese music in Meiji era (1868-1912), which is foremost linked to the military, religious and educational fields. This thesis indicates the premises of introduction of westerly music in Japan; shows the role of Western-style military conductors and orchestras in the development of the Japanese music life of the period; presents the way of introducing Orthodox Christian music into religious life in Japan and further processes of the traditional choir development; depicts the impact of the Ukrainian music doers Yakov Ti-hay and Dmytro Livovsky in this process; marks the results and further perspectives of educational reforms of Shuji Isawa and Luther Whiting Mason; traces the history line and shows the foundation of the first Western-style music educational establishment - Tokyo Academy of Music; demonstrates the nascence of Western-style composer's school in Japan, the genesis of the opera traditions; and also it specifies the Japanese national features of familiarization with the Western music art.