| The categories of gagaku music have varied over time as Japanese foreign relations have shifted and as new repertoires have been incorporated into the tradition. |
| Gagaku, characterized by long, slow songs and dance-like movements, is the oldest of the Japanese traditional performing arts. |
| The imperial court ensemble Gagaku has influenced the work of some modern Western composers. |
| For example, present-day gagaku performances are undoubtedly different from those of 1,000 years ago, but Mozart symphonies as well do not sound the same as they did in the 18th century. |
| From the space station, Wakata will perform a piece of the ancient Gagaku music with a Japanese reed instrument called a sho. |
