十じゅう二に律りつ

noun

ancient Chinese chromatic scale; twelve pitches of Chinese music theory

Technical term from traditional Chinese music theory, adopted in Japan primarily for gagaku (court music). Refers to the twelve fundamental pitches, analogous to a chromatic scale but with historical tuning differences.

See also: 雅楽

• 雅が楽がくでは十じゅう二に律りつに基もとづいた音おん階かいが使つかわれる。

  In gagaku, scales based on the twelve pitches are used.

• 十じゅう二に律りつは中ちゅう国ごくの古こ代だい音おん楽がく理り論ろんに由ゆ来らいする。

  The twelve pitches originate from ancient Chinese music theory.