A short-necked Japanese lute related to the Chinese pipa. The biwa has a pear-shaped body with a shallow, rounded back and either four or five silk strings attached to slender lateral tuning pegs. It is played by plucking the strings with a large, flared plectrum. Often the area under the strings where the plectrum strikes is protected with a leather layer (bachiuke), which may be painted with decorative scenes.