5-string Chikuzen biwa 五弦筑前琵琶 chikuzenbiwa

I just bought a beautiful old Chikuzen biwa last week and wanted to share it's sound with you, although it's difficult to capture with my camera. I play parts from Kurodabushi (黒田節) and Sakura Fubuki (さくら吹雪). I still need to adjust the frets on the biwa (and practice more!) so some notes are out of tune. I apologize! The instrument is made out of paulownia and kuwa (桑), Japanese mulberry, which is very hard to find these days. The biwa has been played by two other players the Asahikai (旭会) and is about 90 to 100 years old. I started learning Chikuzen biwa alongside the Satsuma about six months ago.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• biwa
• chikuzen
• chikuzenbiwa
• traditional
• Japanese
• music
• kurodabushi
• sakura
• fubuki
• 筑前琵琶
• 琵琶
• 現代琵琶
• 黒田節
• さくら吹雪
• world
• Japan

[Furballokami]

How or where would I find/buy one of these? How much do they normally cost? I've been wanting one for a few years. So yeah. Any help would be wonderful.

Thanks, Furball

[Obakedake]

@Furballokami

As I mentioned unfortunately they are quite rare outside of Japan and very expensive no matter where you buy them.

[CriterionCoIIection]

very harsh, unpleasant sound. I much prefer the shamisen!

[Obakedake]

@CriterionCoIIection

unfortunately I can't record the sound well and I'm just a novice player. if you listen to a good player the sound is quite beautiful and refined.

[turboMATRIX03]

how much do they cost?

i have a shamisen and want a biwa and a shakuhachi

i am visiting japan again in dec

[Obakedake]

@turboMATRIX03

Unfortunately quite expensive... A good 5-string Chikuzen biwa is about $3000 to $5000 but you can find a cheaper on auction or in a shop if you are lucky.

[TKGMALICE]

@turboMATRIX03 mine was 1600

[Furballokami]

@Obakedake eh. oh well thanks anyway.

[Hydeist117160]

Amazing bro, harsh my ass I feel like a damn samurai listening to this.

[CriterionCoIIection]

@Obakedake well...i listened to it again and it sounds much better. i must have been blasting the volume or something.

[pichihime7]

Is your home traditional? I've been DYING to live in one!! o(>o<)o

[kathrynrain]

Sorry I meant the *only thing not kinky thing lol. Spell check is horrible