Tossup

A composer from this country combined a Western orchestra with its traditional instruments in his November Steps. Syllables such as “don” and “ka” are part of a “mouth-writing” system used to notate drum music from this country. (10[1])A (10[1])folk song from this country asks “Is it mist, or clouds?” while describing its title flowers, and is often given (10[1])to beginner players of a 13-stringed zither from this country, the koto. (-5[1])Traditional instruments from (10[1])this country such as the biwa (-5[1])and the shakuhachi are frequently played (10[1])in its gagaku ensembles. For 10 points, (10[1])name this home country of Tōru Takemitsu and Koji Kondo, (10[1])the latter of whom (10[1])writes video game music for Nintendo. ■END■

ANSWER: Japan [or Nihon-koku; or Nippon-koku]
<Editors, Classical Music>
= Average correct buzz position

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