biwa

Biwa is a family of Japanese pear-shaped plucked lutes used since classical times for narrative performance and court music. The principal varieties are the Heike biwa, the gagaku-oriented gaku-bi wa (gaku-biwa), the Satsuma biwa, and the Chikuzen biwa. The instrument is closely associated with biwa hōshi, itinerant chanters who accompanied epic recitations, including the Tale of the Heike.

Construction and design vary by type but share a long neck and a shallow, rounded body. The soundboard is often wood, sometimes with a skin surface, and the neck carries four strings in most traditional forms, with some regional versions using four to five strings. Frets are typically tied or fixed, and pitch is changed by left-hand finger placement. Strings were originally made from silk; modern versions may use nylon or other materials. The right hand holds a large plectrum called a bachi to strike the strings, producing a bright, penetrating tone.

Playing style and repertoire differ by tradition. The Heike biwa is tied to narrative recitation, producing a strong, ceremonial tone to accompany the epic text. The gaku-biwa serves gagaku court ensembles, offering a more refined timbre. The Satsuma and Chikuzen variants, from Kyushu, are used in regional storytelling and song traditions, often with a more robust, resonant voice. The biwa remains a symbol of traditional Japanese music and is studied and performed in both historical and contemporary contexts, including fusion and film scores.