Biwa Hōshi

Biwa Hōshi were traveling Japanese storytellers and musicians from the 13th to 16th centuries, renowned for their skill in reciting and singing epic tales like the "Heike Monogatari." They played the biwa, a short-necked lute, to accompany their narratives, which often depicted heroism, tragedy, and historical events. These performers served as both entertainers and historians, preserving Japan’s oral history and cultural values. Their storytelling tradition was highly respected, and they played a key role in disseminating stories across regions before the widespread use of written records.