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''Satsuma biwa'' is a style or genre of narrative storytelling in which the storyteller accompanies him or herself on a lute-like musical instrument called a ''[[biwa]]''.

''Satsuma biwa'' is a style or genre of narrative storytelling in which the storyteller accompanies him or herself on a lute-like musical instrument called a ''[[biwa]]''.

The style is based on the ''[[Heike biwa]]'' tradition, but uses a larger ''biwa'', which is said to produce a more dramatic sound. It emerged in [[Satsuma province]] in the 16th century, and originally focused on a repertoire of stories aimed at the moral or educational edification of young men, women, and the elderly. However, schools of ''Satsuma biwa'' which developed in the [[Edo period]] added military tales and other dramatic pieces.

The style is based on the ''[[Heike biwa]]'' tradition, but uses a larger ''biwa'', which is said to produce a more dramatic sound. It emerged in [[Satsuma province]] in the 16th century, and [[Shimazu Tadayoshi (Soshu)|Shimazu Tadayoshi]] (1493-1568) had a particularly strong connection with the instrument. He is said to have composed the piece ''[[Mt. Horai|Hôraizan]]''.  

''Satsuma biwa'' enjoyed a revival in the [[Meiji period]].

 

''Satsuma biwa'' enjoyed a revival in the [[Meiji period]], as some of the most prominent figures in the [[Meiji government]] were from Satsuma, and introduced the school into [[Tokyo]], and elsewhere. The [[Meiji Emperor]], too, is said to have enjoyed ''Satsuma biwa'' music.

==References==

==References==

*Malm, William. "Music Cultures of Momoyama Japan." in ''Warlords, Artists, and Commoners: Japan in the Sixteenth Century''. University of Hawaii, 1981. p170.

*Malm, William. "Music Cultures of Momoyama Japan." in ''Warlords, Artists, and Commoners: Japan in the Sixteenth Century''. University of Hawaii, 1981. p170.

[[Category:Poetry and Theater]]

[[Category:Poetry and Theater]]

[[Category:Sengoku Period]]

[[Category:Sengoku Period]]