The Japanese lute is a traditional stringed instrument that has been used in Japan for centuries. It is composed of two main types: the samisen and the biwa. The samisen is a three-stringed instrument with a long neck and a rectangular body, while the biwa is a four-stringed instrument with a shorter neck and a pear-shaped body. Both instruments are plucked with a plectrum and are used to accompany singing and storytelling.