〜The Organ〜
information
During the Showa era, the vast majority of school organs were reed organs (pump organs), operated by pumping foot pedals. The melodies played by teachers during music class, as well as the playful tunes chiming from children during recess remain an iconic and nostalgic memory of that era.
The history of the organ in Japan began with religious worship, later evolving into an integral part of public education and artistic culture.
Records show that an organ was actually performed in front of the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi as early as the 16th century (the Azuchi-Momoyama period). However, due to the country's subsequent policy of national isolation (sakoku), the instrument temporarily vanished from Japan. It made a comeback in 1871 with the arrival of a pipe organ. Following this, the Meiji government widely introduced more affordable reed organs to schools nationwide to support the newly established music education curriculum (shoka).
The organ on display here is fully functional. Please feel free to play it and fill the room with your favorite music!
