Japan
Japanese

Wood, bone, metal strings
Mid 20th century
Height: 37 in, Width: 12.5 in Depth: 2.5 in
Chordophones – Lutes

Biwa is a generic term for Japanese short-necked fretted lutes with a shallow pear-shaped body.   They were brought over from China in the late 7^th century in various forms and accompanied oral narrative storytelling and ritual Buddhist texts.  It is known as the chosen instrument of Benzaiten (also known as Benten), the Japanese Buddhist goddess who originated from the Hindu goddess Saraswati, the goddess of music, eloquence, poetry, and education in Buddhism.  This biwa is possibly the gakubiwa version, meaning ‘biwa for gagaku.’  Gagaku (‘elegant music’) is the traditional music of the Emperior’s royal court.  It has five frets and four strings, and in effect serves as the bass instrument of the ensemble.

Reference: “Biwa,” Komoda Haruko, Hugh De Ferranti, “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments,” 2^nd ed., Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief.