Lot 136 A JAPANESE BIWA TRADITIONAL LUTE INSTRUMENT

This beautifully crafted Japanese biwa is a striking example of Japan’s rich musical heritage. The biwa is a traditional short-necked lute, closely associated with classical storytelling, court music, and Buddhist chants throughout Japanese history.
This particular instrument features a pear-shaped wooden body with a smooth, polished finish that highlights the fine grain and natural warmth of the wood. The front is fitted with crescent moon-shaped sound holes, known as fukikaeshi, that contribute to the instrument’s distinctive tonal resonance.
The neck and pegbox are carefully carved and fitted with large, ornately turned tuning pegs, providing both decorative flair and functional tuning stability. The rear of the biwa shows subtle carved detailing, including bamboo motifs near the base, enhancing its aesthetic charm.
Typically strung with four or five silk or nylon strings, the biwa is played using a large plectrum (bachi) to produce a dynamic, percussive sound ideal for dramatic narration. Its voice ranges from sharp and staccato to rich and lyrical, depending on the player’s technique and the type of biwa (e.g., gagaku biwa, heike biwa, or satsuma biwa). This instrument is not only a musical tool but also a cultural artifact, representing centuries of Japanese artistic and spiritual tradition. An exceptional piece for musicians, collectors of Asian instruments, or connoisseurs of Japanese classical arts. 90 by 15 cm