Hey all!
I was researching a bit into the Biwa. From what I can understand originally they had 4 strings then in the later years some makers included a 5th string to double the high string giving the high register a flam-like sound.
So my question is does anyone know if having this 5th string is more desirable for a biwa musician… does it make the traditional 4 string models less attractive for a professional musician?
Any thoughts are appreciated 
Kind regards,
Anthony
I was just talking to my biwa teacher about this! It’s just a matter of different repertoire. Also 5 string are usually bigger and more masculine sounding. Also, she told me almost every professional has their biwa custom made. For example the satsuma biwa had 4 string and 4 frets until tsuruta made one with 5 and 5. I know a follower of that school who added now a 6th fret to get some higher notes. Is that helpful? I’m no expert but I’m passionate about biwa and I try to ask experts a lot of questions.
Cool that is very useful… so ultimately one is not better/more professional than the other. It is all based on the needs of the musician
Many thanks!
Actually I have noticed there are some biwas with 5 separate and evenly spaced strings and others where the 5th string is closer to the 4th and is used to double the high string.
I think I quite like the sound of the biwa where the 4th and 5th string are closer to each other… hopefully one day I can find a good deal on an instrument
Hello Antony! I remember that the satsuma biwa has 5 strings, for it’s nature, but maybe I’m apologizing. Are you talking about the satsuma one?
Hi Sakura thanks for responding. yes I was talking about the satsuma biwa
From what I have found online it is that the really old instruments being sold (around 100 years old… and maybe some not that old) have 4 strings. I believe the 5th string was added in the later years.
Yeah tsuruta added a fret and a string to the style in the early 1900s
Antony, but do you learn the biwa by yourself?
Hi Sakura I have never played… I guess when it comes to playing instruments you can call me jack of all trades master of non 
I have always been a big fan of traditional Japanese instruments and hoping to find a nice instrument.
Hello Anthony,
I studied Satsuma biwa for a year in Tokyo several years ago with Tanaka Yukio, who was one of the main students of late Tsuruta Kinshi, the biwa master who added the 5th string to the Satsuma biwa. Tsuruta sensei was very much into modern music (being famous for playing the seminal orchestral piece November Steps by Takemitsu Toru with the shakuhachi master, Yokoyama Katsuya in the 20th Century.) She really liked the added 5th string sound and used it often when playing modern compositions. But she always four strings when she played traditional stuff.
If you happen to get a real Satsuma biwa, make sure you get the biggest of the bachis, as this is what is required. If you happen to make it to Japan to study with a teacher, you will be required to learn the singing (katari mono) which is essential to the style.
Of the biwa family, Satsuma biwa is by far my favourite as the resonance is so amazing, and the sawari is to die for! Be prepared to spend $ as they don’t come cheap. If I had the $ I would definitely have one made for me by a professional maker. It will be well worth it. Also get a custom made case as well.
Alcvin Ramos that is awesome! I know of Tanaka Yukio. I have some of her music recordings. The tsuruta satsuma biwa is my favorite too, but there are no teachers in the US and it’s impossible to find one anyway, so I’m going with chikuzen for now. Do you happen to know, or would you know how to search for biwa makers in Japan? If i can find someone to make one for me I’ll go that route. Please help!
Wait!! Alcvin Ramos?! Holy $#!¥ !! I’ve had one of your albums that’s been a favorite of mine since 2008!! Lol wow is it really you?!?!? I usually never check my music to see who makes it. Back in 2008 i found your traditional Japanese music album by accident and i loved every track. It really made me feel things! I’ve listened to it so many times since then. Anyway so here is what happened: I had just finished typing my last reply to this thread and the subject matter made me want to here some Japanese music. So I scoot over to Apple Music and bring up your album as I have done so many times before except that this time the introduction paragraph at the top catches my eye and i see the name Alcvin Ramos. At first I thought i was seeing things. Then I read and i came right back here to tell you how much I’ve loved your music for years. LOL what are the odds of that ?! I’ve had this album for 9 years and never bothered to check or even noticed the creators until today 5 seconds after I just happened to be sending a message to one of the creators.
Hey Alcvin thank you for the response. It sounds like you have allot of experience with the satsuma Biwa. It is great to hear how the 5th string came about… very cool
I found a place that can sell me a satsuma Biwa made in the 1920’s. They said they will set it up properly and can add the additional 5th string if I like. I’ve place a link of it in this message… what do you think?
Greatly appreciate all the help!
Big Thanks!
Anthony
Hi Derik,
Oh, I’m so glad you like my album! That was my debut album on a major world music label. I’m very happy that I can touch people’s lives in a positive way through music!
By the way, Tanaka Yukio is a guy, not a woman. True, there are no Satsuma Biwa teachers in the US unfortunately. 
As far as biwa makers, I recommend ordering a biwa from Ishida-san who’s family is the last biwa shop in Japan. Fortunately, he taught his son the craft passing onto a 5th generation of biwa makers. They make awesome Satsuma biwas for the top players in Tokyo.
He doesn’t speak English so you need a translator if you don’t already know Japanese.
Check out these brief articles:
http://www.minato-ala.net/sightseeing/100sen/kougei/ishidabiwa.html
http://www.minato-ala.net/kougei/kougei11/
He doesn’t have a website. Only address and phone number:
Toranomon, Minato-ku 3-8-4
Phone: 03-3431-6548
The best thing to do is connect with a biwa player in Tokyo and work with them. Japanese feel more comfortable when the connection is not so direct like in the West.
Good luck!
Hi Anthony,
I wouldn’t say I have a lot of experience with Satsuma biwa, but I do have more than most! Wow, that 1920 biwa looks sweet! And they can add the 5th string, too! Great! Do they have a bachi that goes with it? And a hard carrying case? If they do, go for it! Oh, asking them also to include some extra stings if possible…
Alcvin Ramos - Thank you for the information! I will try to make contact with them and indirectly if possible. I don’t suppose you know any site that might sell me a used satsuma like the one he posted above? Anthony Ammar- would you tell me where you found this biwa?
Derik,
I’ve never seen Ishida-san’s biwa sold as used by anyone in Japan yet. They are incredible instruments and works of art, so people usually keep them. Most biwa sold second hand are antiques.
So Ishida is the only source of new satsuma biwa in Japan? Or earth even? Wow that’s a precarious situation. So in the case of antique satsuma, is there a good place to look for them?
Alcvin Ramos - like this one here!
http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h238780957
Can you help me to buy this? (LOL not financially of course. Just in facilitation of the sale) How does one buy from this site?
You can try Neiro antique Japanese instruments in Yokohama. The owner’s name is also Ishida-san (no relation to the biwa maker):
http://nttbj.itp.ne.jp/0454328825/index.html
Japanese language only.
Please contact me further by email for any further help in the process: ryu.zen18@gmail.com.