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The Kyushu 'Biwa' Traditions

Hugh de Ferranti

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterResearch

Abstract

This chapter is concerned with a regional music culture. The 'biwa' music of Kyushu and the near reaches of southwestern Japan has a history that overlaps with that of the canonical 'heike-biwa' tradition (Chapter 4) but differs in many respects, including the incorporation of 'biwa' as a tool for Buddhist ritual, the relations of sung or recited text to written text sources, the kinds of narrative repertory performed, the contexts for performance, and the types of instruments played. The Kyushu 'biwa' traditions can be seen as distinctive regional practices which at times have been formative influences upon the 'biwa' narrative music favoured in Japan's historical centres of cultural and political power, while at other times being deeply influenced by those canonical styles.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Ashgate Research Companion to Japanese Music
EditorsAlison McQueen Tokita, David W. Hughes
Place of PublicationLondon, United Kingdom
PublisherAshgate Publishing
Pages105-126
Edition1
ISBN (Print)0754656993, 9780754656999
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Publication series

NameSOAS Musicology Series

Keywords

  • Musicology and Ethnomusicology

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