Why Did Blind Monks Use This? (Biwa)

The biwa and biwa hoshi.
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#JapaneseHistory #HistoryOfJapan #Linfamy

[@Linfamy]

1:21 Biwa-san is always sad Shawn's channel: kzbin.info/door/5mpKIeS6odJu4K3Gp4aryg Kumada Kahori: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ_XZXaJj7t9r5o November Steps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TIdYyCh7Bjn80 Please consider supporting the channel =) 🔸PATREON (blog, art): www.patreon.com/Linfamy 🔸MERCH: teespring.com/stores/linfamy (shirts, stickers, phone cases, and more!) 🔸DONATE: www.paypal.me/Linfamy

[@thatrandomfander6425]

I is the 499th person to like this video

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@IngLouisSchreurs Kumada Kahori is incredible,.

[@micah2604]

Pin me plz

[@micah2604]

And your biwa music is amazing

[@oopsy444]

Hey where can I get a cheap biwa to practice with? I can only find 200+ buck ones and i don't wanna spend a ton for a hobby

[@zambonibob2026]

The Biwa is probably one of my favorite Japanese instruments. The sound it makes is so captivating and engaging. It makes me feel like I’m charging through a field on horseback towards a burning castle to fight.

[@Linfamy]

I like that imagery

[@beondinsane905]

Yea it’s the shamisen when played rough it just give me so much energy that I feel I could go up again samurai and win

[@fuzzythoughts8020]

After playing Sekiro, the Japanese instrument I'm most curious about is definitely the Shamisen, would love a video on those.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

COMING IN HOT!

[@Kitsu_no_mirai]

Check this video "clozee - koto"

[@nomblob5592]

FuzzyThoughts Never in my life have I ever said GOD DAMN IT I SHOT THE WIND AGAIN and meant it

[@beondinsane905]

Bro shamisen the best Japanese Instrument

[@bensoncheung2801]

111th 👍

[@a.feigenheimer8044]

I deeply enjoy this whole series detailing instruments. Please keep it up.

[@Linfamy]

Awesome =)

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

YAY!

[@Cass_ag]

In dororo there is a biwa playing slayer called biwamaru Such a great name smh

[@xero2256]

Ikr

[@ElhPudding]

Linfamy: "I'll conquer OSP!" Other channels: "I'm already conquering Linfamy"

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

lol

[@Linfamy]

Ah dammit 😒

[@user-rc7dl6yl2u]

Interesting. In Ukraine, we had a similar tradition of blind vagrant musicians. We called them kobzar or kobzari in plural (but I will use English rules of forming plural form later on, just for the convenience) , after their instrument of choice - kobza, an Ukrainian lute like instrument. Kobzars often also used banduras (an instrument, visually similar to kobza, but different in technique of play. And it has A LOT of strings, no, really, google that shit) and hurdy-gurdies. Same as the Japanese monks, kobzars were forming their guilds with special meetings and rituals, they even had their specific professional dialect, unintelligible for ordinary people. Well, I'm not entirely sure, if we actually believed in kobzars having some kind of supernatural power, but their impact on Ukrainian culture and history is huge. Just like their Japanese counterparts, kobzar songs (called duma or dumy) were mostly historic and heroic epics, with occasional philosophical ones. Common themes for this epics were cossack times, famous leaders and warriors or notorious haidamaka's rebellions, especially the major one, which we call Koliyivshchyna. And for a quite a long time kobzars were more then just blind bards. They were guardians and keepers of Ukrainian history and national identity, inspiration for rebellions and national movements, heck, even the almanac of our best known and beloved poet Taras Shevchenko is named "Kobzar" (by the way, Shevchenko is himself often referred to as Kobzar). And also, interestingly enough, kobzars were also somewhat like newsmen and messengers (well, no wonder, like, they were nearly the only people in the country, who COULD freely wander around without raising any suspicion, others were just serfs and couldn't change their disposition without their master's permission). But, unfortunately, when Ukraine became part of the Soviet Union, a lot of the kobzars were arrested as baggers, and some starved to death during the infamous 30th femen. And though nowerdays we're trying to resurrect their art, the damage is done and a lot of poetry and traditions are lost.

[@Linfamy]

That's interesting! Never seen that instrument before =)

[@user-rc7dl6yl2u]

Believe me, we're REALLY proud of this big boy. I'm not sure if Scotts are as obsessed with their bagpipes as Ukrainians are with kobzas and banduras. Here these instruments are pretty iconic. And they actually have quite a distinguishable sound too. And, just a little fun fact, in Ukraine and neighbouring countries word "bandura" is often used as a euphemism for something ridiculously large and/or heavy, and therefore uncomfortable.

[@SagucuTegin]

Kobza is Turkic word. (Kobuz) Turkics called alot of instrument as kobuz, khomus, kobuza, khomus etc...

[@melissapinol7279]

Fascinating. Thank you for all this information, my special interests are the bardic tradition in the Celtic tradition and Shamanism. Back in the 80's I knew a Bandura player, his partner sang "white voice", unforgettable.

[@esppupsnkits4560]

I need a rock band with someone playing a biwa instead of a regular electric guitars

[@AutumnRed]

you might like a channel called Nini Music, not a Biwa but a Chinese pipe... and of course Wagakki Band if you like Shamisen and other Japanese traditional instruments

[@acousticooog9063]

I wanted to do this instrument justice since I made a really bad copy of a biwa for a project. Thank you for making this video so I am able to learn it’s history.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@makukawakami]

It's nice to see your giving biwa some love. Most people know about the koto and the shamisen but not much about the biwa

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Biwa is life.

[@casperkopecky]

Finally some recognition! The satsuma biwa’s my fav instrument and I’m happy that Kumada Kahori is in this

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

It was one of the first instruments I really wanted to highlight. Such an amazing instrument.

[@alonzomachiraju6848]

I find the biwa’s sound very fascinating, not just because of how different the playing technique is from the pipa, but also the way it sounds like a cross between a sitar and a Saraswati veena with a lot of reverb despite not having sympathetic strings like a sitar does. I wonder if there’s some kind of complex harmonic resonance going on between the strings.

[@alonzomachiraju6848]

It was a typo, it should've been biwa's sound but I hit d by accident and didn't notice it until now.

[@veiledrecalcitrance4314]

This video made watching the new anime “Heike Monogatari” with the main character named “Biwa” that much easier to understand, well done!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

I think the blind monks used this because... They were blind? Nah, that's probably too straightforward.

[@Humster]

they were Lewd priests instead of Lute priests first, then they went blind by overjerking. So now we have Blind monks!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

conspiracy

[@urmumlol3360]

Why are you in the comments section of literally all KZbinrs??

[@snev5188]

@@urmumlol3360 I know right!?!??!

[@snev5188]

Get a moustache!!

[@slyrardslyrard6293]

i just watch the movie 'inu-oh' really surprised that the blind monk playing biwa is a real thing also the heike monogatari was mentionned. the movie is incredible, as the biwa is.

[@latoyathunderstar9585]

It really made my heartbeat increase hearing the biwa. I do enjoy the music and look forward to more knowledge of this instrument 🎻.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I wish I learned the Biwa.

[@FiloDeSarten]

As a fellow musician, it is great to know more about other culture's instruments! Aaaaaand, the answer to the quiz is Sunekosuri! Please bless me twice with your grace, oh RNG Kami-sama! 😂😂😂😂

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@alana.dyer.author]

Knew it!!! Your channel got hijacked again !!! I called it 😁 The answer: sunekosuri - shin rubber (I picture it as one of my cats that won't leave me the heck alone and have tripped me.up many times)

[@Linfamy]

Haha you did call it 😂

[@alana.dyer.author]

@@Linfamy see anything where it's not the usual oni or yokai or folk tales for procrastinators ends up being you kidnapped in a corner and someone takes over 🤣😂🤣😂

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I am crafty

[@alana.dyer.author]

@@TairyuShakuhachi Well linfamy keeps forgetting to lock the doors...makes me wonder how he can keep all the yokais inside if he forgets to lock the doors.

[@Linfamy]

YoU WiN! 🎉🎉🎉 Shoot me an email at linfamy1 @ gmail.com to claim your prize ;)

[@Cass_ag]

Dororo has a guy like thus if i remember right

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

lol

[@frootlops3182]

Also in demon slayer, theres a powerful demon who also uses biwa

[@Cass_ag]

@@frootlops3182 yeah Totally forgot bout her. But thankfully she ded now

[@dr.zamanritu9033]

Man. Of. Pure. Culture.

[@dr.zamanritu9033]

@@Cass_ag finally she ded. Muzan jackson killed her.

[@user-oj5vg9mg7l]

This practice is actually very similar to what was happening in Ukraine up untill the 1920s. Elderly men, often blind and sometimes guided by a young boy, were travelling the land and signing historical ballads and lyrical pieces, playing the instrument called " kobza", hence being titled " kobzar". The tradition probably goes back beyond 17th century and ceased when in the 1920s the soviets had theese men assembled for the fake gathering and then executed. fc.vseosvita.ua/001a3k-0053/003.jpg

[@bidoofismyking8962]

:(

[@SagucuTegin]

Kobuz is Turkic word.

[@Figgy5119]

There's a sore lack of Linfamy's comedic delivery.

[@Linfamy]

You do get to hear my bedroom voice. Mm..mm..mmmf

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

@@Linfamy I thought we were keeping that a secret?

[@ggEmolicious]

You got me on the “they had to gouge their eyes out to show devotion” bit, my jaw literally dropped for about 3 seconds and then you said jk. I never thought about how close “sects” and “sex” sound alike.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

lol XD

[@breckon2684]

I was listening to Takemitsu's November Steps, then I started to do research on Biwa. Now, watching this video, you circled back around to Takemitsu, and I was like ooh! Then you said November Steps, and I'm back where I started. 😊

[@angeliki5135]

Linfamy! You are held captive! Okai, do not blink if you need help! . . . HE DIDNT BLINK! HE NEEDS HELP! WE NEED TO RAID RENZOH!!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

raid, good luck. I got an army of blind monks i'll just tell them to go that way... oh wait..

[@Linfamy]

O_O

[@pratikchaudri6404]

Everyone gangsta till that blind monk sends you to the Infinity Castle.

[@share.theworld]

Thank you linfamy, you always talk about everything I wanna know about

[@japc958]

The answer is Sunekosuri Who wouldn't want to tie up Linfamy and keep him forever? He's smart, funny and kinda hot.

[@Linfamy]

;) That tie up part is unnecessary tho

[@unlacedshoe3696]

Wall

[@claudiameisters3300]

The shin rubbing yokai! The “rubber”. He trips you like a needy kitty or pup.

[@andreashore7379]

I had a boyfriend like that... omg he's a yokai! Lol

[@Linfamy]

He kept tripping you? :O

[@claudiameisters3300]

Andrea Shore Huh, so needy that he was a speed bump. There’s something to say about that. “Step above“? I’ll go with that.

[@andreashore7379]

Nah he was needy lol

[@Jobe-13]

The level of badassery is wonderful.

[@mrshootinputin7251]

Sunekosuri (脛擦)[Shin Rubber (As in one who rubs)] is the yokai that trips people up on rainy nights

[@youarethegreatest2633]

This is only the beggining of the hijackings. Linfamy's channel: 5$ to hijack! You could ruin this man's whole career! Coming to stores near you!

[@virginiarailfannoah5415]

Another day, another time that he takes over the channel.

[@Linfamy]

😒

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Linfamy is Taira and I am Genji

[@jadearrieta5409]

Did you know there was a Biwa playing woman that could use music to move a house?!

[@lovelynpreston4059]

Ahh a biwa used for storytelling in Japanese!

[@blizzuni6789]

Always love hearing about instruments! As for the answer, that'd be the sunekosuri. Typing it out I find it amusing to see the work neko in there, which I'm pretty sure can also mean cat, so it's as if they tried to explain a cat's behavior on them being yokai or something like that

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@LiliannEnder]

Someone: I bet you can't play a biwa blindfolded and drink at the same time. Me: [the thumbnail]

[@_.ana._.]

"Hey man, I've been thinking of learning a new instrument and Biwas are kind of cool..." "Alright, off with your eyes!"

[@anasevi9456]

I love these history behind the instrument segments! I'ts all great but yeah :) Biwa time!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I am really glad you like them. Linfamy does an amazing job with the animation.

[@dallasdelay3468]

The Japanese version of the wandering Cowboy guitarist

[@puppable]

Ended up here from watching Inu-Oh, this video gave a lot of real cool depth to what's already an amazing movie. Thank you!

[@RoseBleueDuRosierSec]

Another music one! Thanks, these are fascinating. Love you both!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@gamingwaffle1171]

Enjoyed the history on Biwa. Biwa and Shakuhachi bring out the most emotion inside me.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

This comment makes me happy. I hope there will be more instruments to stir up the feels.

[@ppk4766]

This really reminds of that Biwa lady from Kimetsu No Yaba............... Oh spoiler.....

[@Cass_ag]

Yeah totally

[@Cass_ag]

But she Ded

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

oof

[@cantfindyourboy505]

Nakime,right?

[@angeliki5135]

The name of the yokai that likes to rub up against your legs on rainy nights to make you stumble is Sunekosuri, a yokai that sounds allot like a cat if you ask me. It is interesting that Biwa were used for early storytelling performances, because many MMORPGS I plays, I always choose the lute to play music on for stories which resembles a biwa. It's almost nostalgic. 😊

[@theghostofchristmaspast293]

I'm not sure but this reminds me of that blind musician from "Samurai Champloo".

[@stephenknizek2651]

Question: What is the name of the Yokai that likes to rub up against your legs on rainy nights and make you stumble? Answer: Joe Biden. 🤣

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

BWAH HAHAHA!

[@daniv9484]

The Kumada Kahori video is definitely worth looking at. The heart makes a good translator with music, especially one that is as enchanting as hers.

[@surajr5993]

It's those shin rubbing yokai they rub my feet like you during each video, with your humour and make me trip from my sofa

[@Linfamy]

That's why my nickname is the Foot Massager

[@surajr5993]

@@Linfamy are you good at massaging 😛

[@star7689]

First , I got the notification while watching your videos

[@Linfamy]

So close =)

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

[@pastelpenguin]

I believe The yokai in question is the sunekosuri. (Btw love your vids 😀)

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

I love his videos too

[@deejah4529]

The two people who disliked this video are heartless

[@akira_insanity1406]

Sunekosuri is the answer!!! Little invisible puppy just wanna cuddle!!!

[@TheMarkvanes]

Do Shamisen next please!!!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

Coming in hot!

[@Tokito935]

0:45 Desert levels ost be like

[@jackeldridge4225]

Okay the Biwa I can get behind. Those poor crickets.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

lol

[@ArchdukeJake]

0:45 pretty sure this song is Honno-ji

[@input_name5892]

6:30 the different attack moves of the blind monk class

[@ChurchHatesTucker]

The answer is Sunekosuri. That or "Linfamy tied up on the floor." Either will trip you up.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

second for sure

[@Linfamy]

The second one just means a good time ;)

[@barnabonker]

Inu-Oh watchers rise, and get recommended Biwa content. Nice!

[@Randomperson-sz2gq]

i ve been waiting this sound! thank you!

[@MyPhobo]

"What kind of music do you like?" "Steve rock"

[@TheMercian13]

Catching up with this series, it’s excellent! Have another comment for the algorithm.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

lol

[@hanisu93]

WHO IS THIS NEW MAN? SINCE WHEN? WHAT

[@poinocomer4588]

The thing that rubs up legs (and hopefully only legs) is the sunekosuri I want one

[@jeremydabal9000]

Oh no linfamy you're tied up again

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

he likes it

[@Linfamy]

:O

[@vegeta1475]

Im still replaying that nani

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

That is the only way to do it.

[@user-du8wu1ym7e]

Patrick Lafcadio Hearn The outline of this story is summarized in a book called kaidan. The edit was Patrick Lafcadio Hearn(Yakumo Koizumi), and it was his wife who taught him.

[@atsukorichards1675]

Thank you for the information. The story is called Miminashi-Houichi (耳無芳一) by 小泉八雲.

[@user-du8wu1ym7e]

@@atsukorichards1675 My ancestors are involved in the story of the "rokurokubi".

[@atsukorichards1675]

That sounds very interesting! How?

[@user-du8wu1ym7e]

@@atsukorichards1675 the end part of the story He was a samurai of the Suwa Domain. One day, a traveling priest with his head on his sleeve came to Suwa. He thought that the bad guys had come to Suwa. It is said that it was a samurai who inspected the head of the "Rokuro kubi“.

[@avetleeg3654]

Linfamy biceps are my new favourite measuring unit

[@Linfamy]

Good idea

[@devkanyabose7591]

No. 9 sunekosuri or shin rubber「脛擦り」脛=sune= leg/shin; 擦り=rubbing, scrubbing, scraping

[@SagucuTegin]

First pipas invented in the Afghanistan, Gandhara Culture in B.C. In the persia its known as "barbad" i think "pi-pa" comes from "bar-bad" (meaning: duck headed instrument)

[@anselmareich3549]

Linfamy: *makes a video* Renzoh: It's free real estate. :3

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

But when low, sell when high

[@patrichausammann]

1:15 This was a good one, rofl🤣.

[@Linfamy]

;)

[@ericnobbs1754]

I just threw my sunekosuri off the sofa... Oh, wait: that was the cat.

[@Linfamy]

Did the cat like that?

[@ericnobbs1754]

The cat just wants to rub my legs. And trip me when I'm in the kitchen. I think it really IS sunekosuri in cat form. Great videos, BTW. 👍

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

haa

[@unlacedshoe3696]

Linfamy yes obviously what else would it feel-

[@ikunlailou]

Now biwa called Nishki biwa （錦琵琶）

[@catherinebutler4819]

Now the story of Hoichi the Earless makes much more sense!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

:-)

[@joralgarpe]

The answer is: Sunekosuri! The little cute ghostly dog. Your merchandising is really cool! Keep it up with new products.

[@joralgarpe]

People of KZbin: Do you have recommendations for Meta/rock bands that uses traditional Japanese instruments like Biwa or Taiko drums? I just know Wagakki :'(

[@dzulkeflimohdyusof2387]

I replayed the video to hear the biwa sound

[@Linfamy]

It's not bad :D

[@davidroberts3092]

U sound under the weather. Lin days like that I get under blankets with a value jug of robitussin

[@Linfamy]

My voice was bad the day I recorded that, because of a Christmas party the day before that got raucous :P

[@andreutormos7210]

Shure Shawn used a "sunekosuri" to lock you up. Gotta watch that dog.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

i like shins

[@Linfamy]

Didn't know sunekosuri could do that

[@Hot_rodz]

Its like the guitar from the movie kubo! :OO

[@nakulmenon4866]

the biwa music sounded like the veena music,one of the most classical instruments in India.Just like how Benzaiten holded the biwa,her Hindu counterpart,the goddess Saraswati had the veena in her hands.She is also the goddess of music,art,philosophy and knowledge.Her consort the god of creation,Brahma,who is one of the gods of the Trimurthi(the divine triumvirate) along with Vishnu and Shiva

[@HappyLol999]

That song hypnotized me

[@voidlesslove3123]

I had no idea what Yokai, you were talking about. Then I proceeded to look it up, gotta say I'm now going to be looking for one at the animal shelter :p

[@Linfamy]

Good luck!

[@samuelplyler1511]

The Biwa was stated as being one of the inspirations for the Shwazin in the game Warframe. I mean it was not the only inspiration but it did have a big part in how the fictional Shwazin turned out in game.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

wow

[@Koffindestilatorer]

Well, the answer is : NISSE ! It wouldn't be raining, but snowing... just details... In my lore atleast.. in Scandinavia...lol

[@GKS225]

Sunekosuri is the yokai that rubs against your legs and make you stumble on stormy nights. Now give me the prize or I will make you stumble on stormy nights.

[@Linfamy]

Hmm.. will threats work...?

[@finnmchugh99]

and I came here after Demon Slayer lol but learned a good amount here thank you!

[@klausmeinesidperez2691]

I liked that biwa since I played the mimic

[@xvang9346]

So bards are just biwa playing Buddhist monks, no wonder why they’re the best class to play

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

fact

[@Keeby.]

I just came to this video after wat hing someone play metal music with a biwa lol

[@WimpyGamerGirl]

Sunekosori!!! Totally know there was one that haunted my first workplace. We had a ghost named Burt, and said that it was his dog. True story.

[@kenken8765]

I was expecting to hear about Hoichi the Earless in this video

[@miriguyunari]

3:31 "Why were they blind?" "Oh, because they had to gouge their eyes out" me: WHAT *skips back thirty seconds to listen to the whole thing over again* *last words I heard before the video skipped back thirty seconds*: "just kidding" (・_・)

[@Linfamy]

😅

[@ms.weeaboo6133]

Noice, also, lin you ok? :| your a bit... um tied up

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

lol he will be fine once he wakes up.

[@Linfamy]

Help

[@ms.weeaboo6133]

@@Linfamy oh , *unties rope*

[@fetijajasari6624]

Please, do the Shamisen next!

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

coming in hot

[@slap_my_hand]

Looks like Gibson took some inspiration from that headstock angle

[@shreyassodhe]

One of the most annoying yokai in Nioh, please make more videos like this. Very fascinating.

[@TairyuShakuhachi]

ugh facts

[@jackgoet865]

Happy new year!

[@Linfamy]

Happy new year!!

[@jackgoet865]

@@Linfamy you reacted im a big fan

[@Linfamy]

@@jackgoet865 😁👍

[@bennyboi6521]

SO BEAUTIFUL 😩😩😩😩😩😩

[@killstrange]

wait is that the thing hiyori from one piece was playing?