Frank Kogan

If that's correct, and it is a traditional Japanese or Korean or East Asian melody (or the style is traditional Japanese or co.), it nonetheless is what sets up the "Middle Eastern" stuff that is to come, some of the "Middle Eastern" being layered right on top of the "Japanese" instrumentation. E.g., notice what's happening at 1:20. Except I think it might be the instrument at the start but not the melody that the instrument is playing that's East Asian, the melody being — perhaps — West Asian/North African (or South Asian or Eastern European or I don't know the fuck what).

IS THERE AN ETHNOMUSICOLOGIST IN THE HOUSE?