What is "jiuta"

Jiuta（地歌, 地唄, ぢうた） is a style of Japanese traditional music. In Edo period, pieces which has this style was played by the shamisen in Kamigata region mainly. The name 'Jiuta' means "song ('歌' uta) of local ('地' ji = Kamigata in this case)", and suggests "not a song from Edo". At that period, Jiuta was performed, composed and instructed by Tōdōza, group of blind men, hence Jiuta is also called 'Houshiuta'('法師唄' song of monk). Jiuta, as well as Nagauta, is a typical 'Utaimono' - '歌いもの' vocal music in Japanese traditional music.

'Jiuta' has oldest origin in the area of shamisen music, it is identified as ancestor of many shamisen music and had great influence to that genre throughout Edo period. It can be regarded that Jōruri and Nagauta stem from Jiuta. Nowadays Jiuta has spread across Japan, and in its course it has been integrated to Soukyoku (musical piece for Koto) and has strong tie with shakuhachi and kokyū.

Despite that many other form of shamisen music has been developed along with performing arts, such as Bunraku and kabuki, the form of Jiuta has strong character as pure instrumental music and is relatively independent from performing arts.