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 (10[1])to notate drum music from this country. A folk song from this country asks “Is it mist, or clouds?” while describing its title flowers, and is often given to beginner players of a 13-stringed zither from this country, (-5[1])the koto. (10[2])Traditional instruments (10[1])from this country such as the (10[1])biwa and the shakuhachi (10[2])are frequently (10[1])played (10[1])in its gagaku (10[1])ensembles. For 10 points, name this home country of Tōru Takemitsu (10[1])and (10[1])Koji Kondo, the latter (10[1])of whom writes video game music for Nintendo. ■END■

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