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[[File:Heike-biwa.jpg|right|thumb|320px|A member of the contemporary fusion music group AURA-J performing a portion of the ''[[Tale of the Heike]]'' on ''biwa'']]
*''Japanese'': 琵琶 ''(biwa)''
The ''biwa'' is a Japanese stringed lute. Most closely associated with the [[biwa hoshi|tradition of the recitation]] of the [[Tale of the Heike]], the ''biwa'' is also played in ''[[gagaku]]'' and in a number of other traditional and folk contexts.
The ''biwa'' is closely derived from the Chinese ''[[pipa|pípa]]'', which was first introduced to Japan in the 7th century. At least one ancient ''pípa'' from that time is stored in the [[Shosoin|Shôsôin]] Imperial Repository. Unlike the ''pípa'', however, which is held vertically and plucked with the fingers, the Japanese ''biwa'' is typically held horizontally, and played with a large plectrum. Outside of ''gagaku'', the ''biwa'' is typically played with the left hand depressing the strings in between frets to produce a wider range of notes.
Styles of ''biwa'' instruments include the [[Heike biwa]], [[Satsuma biwa]], and [[moso biwa]].
{{stub}}
==References==
*Gallery labels, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Musical Instruments gallery.
[[Category:Art and Architecture]]
[[Category:Poetry and Theater]]
*''Japanese'': 琵琶 ''(biwa)''
The ''biwa'' is a Japanese stringed lute. Most closely associated with the [[biwa hoshi|tradition of the recitation]] of the [[Tale of the Heike]], the ''biwa'' is also played in ''[[gagaku]]'' and in a number of other traditional and folk contexts.
The ''biwa'' is closely derived from the Chinese ''[[pipa|pípa]]'', which was first introduced to Japan in the 7th century. At least one ancient ''pípa'' from that time is stored in the [[Shosoin|Shôsôin]] Imperial Repository. Unlike the ''pípa'', however, which is held vertically and plucked with the fingers, the Japanese ''biwa'' is typically held horizontally, and played with a large plectrum. Outside of ''gagaku'', the ''biwa'' is typically played with the left hand depressing the strings in between frets to produce a wider range of notes.
Styles of ''biwa'' instruments include the [[Heike biwa]], [[Satsuma biwa]], and [[moso biwa]].
{{stub}}
==References==
*Gallery labels, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Musical Instruments gallery.
[[Category:Art and Architecture]]
[[Category:Poetry and Theater]]
