|
It is
widely thought that the accordion was probably introduced
to Japan by Sensuke Asahi, who gifted one to the Miho Shinto
Temple in the Simone region in 1850. Syokichi Mazkichimaru
did the same in 1867.
In 1887,
the Japanese imported German diatonic accordions for the women
of high society to play. In 1905, Russian war prisoners returned
home, without their accordions. The Tanabe firm began manufacturing
them, and travelling medical salesmen used the accordion to
advertise their wares.
In 1931,
the French film 'Sous les foits de Paris' was a huge success
in Japan, and caused a demand for the Parisian accordion as
heard on the soundtrack. Tambo created an accordion model
with a piano keyboard named "Paris", and other models
were made with names such as "Bolero" and "Scala".
These were later replaced by Japanese names such as "Chyasahima"
(divine island) and "Daitoa" (great Asia). Many
instrument workshops were converted into propeller factories
during the war, and many pre-war instruments were destroyed
by bombs.
In 1932,
the Tambo firm began manufacturing diatonic accordions, followed
three years later by Yamaha. Yamaha also produced chromatic
accordions with piano keyboards, which were not widely imported.
The accordion
became popular again after WWII and lasted until the mid 1950s.
Cabarets, ballrooms and nightclubs flourished throughout the
country, and numerous orchestras included the accordion. In
Nagoya, there were many professional accordionists.
Today,
Japanese are still fond of folk music, represented by the
musette style and have arranged for French accordionists to
tour their country.
|
