Biwa Collection

Japanese Giant Carp
In a Japanese legend, O Tsuru sees a giant carp, dead, washed up on the shore of Lake Biwa : it is a monster that eats dogs, cats and even swimming people

Torii of Shirahige Shrine with birds on a cloudy day, Japan, Takashima, Shiga

Torii of Shirahige Shrine with birds on a cloudy day, Japan, Takashima, Shiga

Siamisen, Kokiu, Biwa, 1888
1578391 Siamisen, Kokiu, Biwa, 1888; (add.info.: Siamisen, Kokiu, Biwa. These are all Japanese instruments. The Kokiu in the centre has a long fishing-rod bow)

Biwa Lake, 1865. Creator: Unknown
Biwa Lake, 1865

View of Biwa Lake, 1865. Creator: Unknown
View of Biwa Lake, 1865

Benzaiten playing a biwa, 19th century. Creator: Anonymous
Benzaiten playing a biwa, 19th century. Private Collection

Benzaiten playing a biwa, ca 1400. Creator: Anonymous
Benzaiten playing a biwa, ca 1400. Private Collection

The Goddess Benten Holding a Biwa and a Young Man Holding a Shoulder Drum... late 1780s. Creator: Shunsho
The Goddess Benten Holding a Biwa and a Young Man Holding a Shoulder Drum, from the series "Comparing the Smiles of the Lucky Gods (Fukujin egao kurabe)", Japan, late 1780s

Japanese Torii Gate, Lake Biwa, Takashima, Shiga prefecture, Japan

JAPANESE FIREBALL
A fire-ball is seen from time to time on Lake Biwa, at Zeze, and is attributed to the spirit of a dead daimio (prince) Date: 1908

Sarasvati, 1878 / 80. Creator: Unknown
Sarasvati, 1878/80

Floating Pavilion at Katada in the snow, 1934 (colour woodcut)
4071426 Floating Pavilion at Katada in the snow, 1934 (colour woodcut) by Tsuchiya, Koitsu (1870-1949); 39x26.1 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Japanese, out of copyright

Murasaki Shikibu, Edo period (1615-1868), about 1784. Creator: Torii Kiyonaga
Murasaki Shikibu, Edo period (1615-1868), about 1784. The author sits on a balcony in Ishiyama where she is said to have written the classic romance " Genji Monogatari" (Tale of Genji)

Plums and Biwa, 1860s. Creator: Tanomura Shosai
Plums and Biwa, 1860s

Two Ladies; One is Playing the Biwa (Japanese Lute) and the Other, the Koto (Japanese Harp), probably 1815

Benten on a rock by the sea, Edo period, (18th century?). Creator: Unknown
Benten on a rock by the sea, Edo period, (18th century?)

Benten (Sarasvati) seated on a rock, Edo period, mid 17th-early 18th century. Creator: Kano Yoboku Tsunenobu
Benten (Sarasvati) seated on a rock, Edo period, mid 17th-early 18th century. The goddess Benten playing a type of lute called a biwa

Goddess with Biwa (colour woodblock print)
5043756 Goddess with Biwa (colour woodblock print) by Koryusai, Isoda (1735-90); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Onnagata, biwa and attendant)

c. 1880s Japan - boats on the canal Biwa Lake near Kyoto
c.1880s Japan - boats on the canal Biwa Lake near Kyoto

Over Lake Biwa and Seta Bridge, near Kyoto, Shiga Prefecture
Looking out over Lake Biwa and the Seta Bridge, near Kyoto, Shiga Prefecture. Vintage 19th century photograph

Boat on Lake Biwa canal tunnel, Kyoto Japan. Vintage 19th century photograph

Canal from lake Biwa, near Kyoto. Vintage 19th century photograph

Murasaki Shikibu, 1779-1789 (color woodblock print; oban)
5859285 Murasaki Shikibu, 1779A-1789 (color woodblock print; oban) by Kiyonaga, Torii (1752-1815); 36.1x24.5 cm; The Art Institute of Chicago, IL

Lake Biwa from Ischiyama Japan circa 1880s. Date: circa 1880s

Biwa with Brocade Cover, from the series Musical Instruments, probably 1808

seven philosophers bamboo forest Chikurin shichiken
The seven philosophers of the bamboo forest Chikurin shichiken (title on object) A series of ten prints of famous songs for the Katsushika poetry association (series title)

Japanese stringed instruments: Siamisen, kokiu and biwa.. Chromolithograph from an illustration by William Gibb from A.J. Hipkins Musical Instruments, Historic, Rare and Unique

Benten, or Benzaiten, the Japanese Buddhist goddess of music, eloquence and wealth, playing a biwa. Line drawing
BUDDHISM: BENTEN. Benten, or Benzaiten, the Japanese Buddhist goddess of music, eloquence and wealth, playing a biwa. Line drawing

Looking east from Mildera temple over Otsu and lake Biwa, Japan, 1904. Artist: Underwood & Underwood
Looking east from Mildera temple over Otsu and lake Biwa, Japan, 1904. Stereoscopic card. Detail. From a series called Notes of Travel

Lake Biwa, Kyoto, Japan - the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located in Shiga Prefecture (west-central Honshu) Date: circa 1910s

Kyoto, Japan - Tunnel of the Lake Biwa Canal, a waterway in Japan constructed during the Meiji Period to transport water, freight, and passengers from Lake Biwa to the nearby City of Kyoto

Bridge at Kanuyabashi, Kyoto and Lake Biwa Canal - Japan (showing the rail track system). Date: circa 1910s

Hikone, Japan - Teahouse at Genkyu-en Garden
Teahouse at Genkyu-en (Genkyuen) Garden, situated at the foot of the castle at Hikone, a city at the eastern edge of Lake Biwa in Shiga prefecture, central Japan

Lake Biwa, Japan
Lake Biwa Date: early 19th century

Japan - The town Otsu, on lake Biwa Otsu
Lantern slide of the town Otsu, on lake Biwa. Otsu (Otsu-shi) is a small village in Japan. It is located about five miles from Kyoto, and is considered a central and strategic location in Japan

Japan -... of Otsu
Black and white lantern slide overview scene of town and lake. Part of Box 157, Japan Boswell Collection. Slide number 1 Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Biwa-ko

Canal from Lake Biwa, Kyoto, Japan. Date: circa 1890s

Biwa Japanese Lute Cover Edo period 1615-1868
Artokoloro

Biwa Brocade Cover series Musical Instruments
Artokoloro

The Dai Matsu, or Giant Pine Tree of Japan on the Western Shore of Lake Biwa

BridgemanArt Full Collection
OneVisionArt BridgemanArt Full Collection

Hikyoku no biwa no hana matsunami kengyAc jitsuwa akushichibyAce, Secret song of the biwa (loquat) blossom: Matsunami Kengyo as Akushichi Byoe. Utagawa, Kunisada, 1823-1880, artist, 1863

Heike monogatari to biwa to tsuitate, Tale of the heike and a lute next to a standing screen. Ikeda, Eisen, 1790-1848, artist, [between 1820 and 1823], 1 print : woodcut, color; 19.6 x 17.4 cm

Saru no hanaike ni biwa, Monkey holding a potted loquat. Utamaro II, -approximately 1831, artist, [between 1807 and 1812], 1 print : woodcut, color; 35 x 23.2 cm

Night scene of small boat with plume of smoke from smoky lantern approaching the great Pine tree at Karasaki, Lake Biwa, 1900-1920. Konen Uehera (1878-1940) Japanese artist

Japanese female samurai warrior. Tomoe Gozen (bottom panel) with another warrior, possibly Yoshinaka, on horseback
TOMOE GOZEN (1157?-1247?). Japanese female samurai warrior. Tomoe Gozen (bottom panel) with another warrior, possibly Yoshinaka, on horseback

A biwa and a sho, a panpipe-like wind instrument. Pen and ink drawing, 1878, by Kano
JAPANESE INSTRUMENTS. A biwa and a sho, a panpipe-like wind instrument. Pen and ink drawing, 1878, by Kano

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"Biwa: The Enchanting Symbol of Japanese Culture and Art" The biwa, also known as the Japanese Giant Carp, is a captivating creature that holds great significance in Japanese culture. With its vibrant scales shimmering like a Japanese fireball, it has become an iconic symbol of beauty and strength. Just as the majestic Torii Gate stands tall at the entrance to sacred spaces, the biwa reigns supreme in Lake Biwa, located in Takashima, Shiga prefecture. This serene lake serves as a tranquil home for these magnificent creatures. Throughout history, artists have been inspired by the allure of the biwa. In Sarasvati's masterpiece from 1878/80, we witness their talent come alive through intricate strokes depicting this mesmerizing fish. Similarly, Tanomura Shosai's "Plums and Biwa" painting from the 1860s showcases how nature intertwines with artistry. In traditional music scenes during Japan's Edo period (1615-1868), one can often find two ladies engaged in harmonious melodies. One gracefully strums on a biwa - a traditional Japanese lute - while her companion skillfully plays the koto instrument. Their synchronized rhythms create an enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of Benten on a rock by the sea. Speaking of Benten or Sarasvati – she is often depicted seated on rocks near bodies of water playing her beloved biwa. Artists such as Kano Yoboku Tsunenobu captured her divine presence during Japan's Edo period (mid 17th-early 18th century). A goddess herself holding this cherished instrument further emphasizes its cultural significance. Even beyond art and mythology, daily life around Biwako Canal near Kyoto reflects how deeply ingrained this symbol is within society. As boats gently glide across its calm waters under cherry blossom trees' watchful eyes – they pay homage to both nature's beauty and the biwa's timeless allure.