Hauta

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.

As a form of shamisen music, Jiuta was established in Kamigata region in its early stage, then it was performed in Edo around Genroku era. Later Jiuta changed its form as musical accompaniment of Kabuki in Edo, then the new form was called Nagauta. Moreover, due to popularization of the music of Bunraku, the original Jiuta came to have less occasion to be performed. Until the end of Edo period, Jiuta had spread around not only Kamigata but also, to the east, Nagoya, and to the west, Chūgoku region, and Kyusyu region. After Meiji period, again Jiuta was promoted toward Tokyo (formerly Edo), then spread out rapidly. Today Jiuta is popular in traditional music field across Japan except Okinawa. However, in Tokyo, the impression of Jiuta is musical accompaniment of Jiutamai ('地歌舞' Jiuta dance), it is regarded that the music is composed according to the character of Jiutamai; elegant and quiet feeling. However, the truth is that Jiutamai was created as dance accompaniment of Jiuta, not opposite. The repertory of Jiutamai is only a part of Jiuta repertory, and Jiuta music itself requires more technical playing than other shamisen music, so that there are a lot of pieces which has strong character as instrumental music. Having said that, Jiuta also has character as a part of traditional vocal music and developed along with it.

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