The biwa is a stringed instrument that came to Japan from ancient Persia via the Silk Road. For over 800 years, it has been used to accompany the telling of Buddhist tales and epic stories such as "The Tale of the Heike," which follows the rise and fall of the powerful Taira clan. The distinctive sound of the biwa pulls at the heartstrings, drawing the listener in and highlighting Japanese ideas of impermanence. We explore the spiritual connections of this unique instrument with Biwa player Goto Yukihiro.