English

Noun

biwa ‎(plural biwas)

1. (music) A plucked lute, originating in the classical and traditional music of Japan, characterized by a pear-shaped body and four or five high frets, giving the instrument a distinctively twangy tone.

See also

• Appendix:Glossary of chordophones

References

• 2013. Japanese Music and Musical Instruments. William Malm. Pg. 44.
• 2015. Japanese Singers of Tales: Ten Centuries of Performed Narrative. Alison McQueen Tokita. Pg. 60.

Translations

Japanese

Romanization

biwa

1. rōmaji reading of びわ
2. rōmaji reading of ビワ