This new volume in the widely-acclaimed Encyclopedias of World Music series explores not only the close ties that link the cultures and musics of East and Northeast Asia, but also the distinctive features that separate them. It begins with a summary of the philosophical, religious, and aesthetic systems that spread from China through Korea to Japan, as well as with concise overviews of the music, instruments, dance, and theater of the region. Succeeding sections cover the music cultures of China, Japan, Korea, and the northeast Asian subregions of Mongolia and Siberia. Special attention is given to vocal, instrumental, narrative, theatrical, and religious musics, and to the interactions among them both within and among the various countries in the region. Contemporary national and regional traditions, including popular music and other Western-influenced musical genres, are also explored and related to social, political, and ideological developments in the region. Glossary. Bibliography. Discography. Filmography. Index. Audio CD included. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.