Biwa hoshi
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Biwa hoshi (琵琶法師), also known as "lute priests" were travelling performers, who, in the era of Japanese history preceding the Meiji period, earned their income by reciting vocal literature to the accompaniment of biwa music. Often blind, they would adopt the shaved heads and robes common to Buddhist monks. This occupation likely has its origin in China and India, where blind Buddhist lay-priest performers were once common.