Blind traveling singer Haru Kobayashi dies at 105

Blind traveling singer Haru Kobayashi dies at 105

NIIGATA, Japan - Renown blind traveling singer and samisen player Haru Kobayashi (in undated file photo) died April 25 of old age at a nursing home in Kurokawa, Niigata Prefecture, the nursing home said. She was 105. Kobayashi, who lost her vision some three months after birth, joined a troupe of traveling entertainers called goze at the age of 5. Since then, she traveled, providing entertainment for people living in mountainous areas for 68 years until she entered a nursing home in 1973.

Blind traveling singer Haru Kobayashi dies at 105

Blind traveling singer Haru Kobayashi dies at 105

NIIGATA, Japan - Renown blind traveling singer and samisen player Haru Kobayashi (in undated file photo) died April 25 of old age at a nursing home in Kurokawa, Niigata Prefecture, the nursing home said. She was 105. Kobayashi, who lost her vision some three months after birth, joined a troupe of traveling entertainers called goze at the age of 5. Since then, she traveled, providing entertainment for people living in mountainous areas for 68 years until she entered a nursing home in 1973. (Kyodo)

A goze (a blind female street musician)

A goze (a blind female street musician)

This is from a Yokohama album. Goze were blind girls who went door to door singing or playing the shamisen to earn their livelihood. The masters formed groups and commercial associations.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number84‐2‐0]

A goze (a blind female street musician)

A goze (a blind female street musician)

This black-and-white single photograph is entitled, A Blind Singer. Goze were blind girls who went door to door singing or playing the shamisen to earn their livelihood. The masters formed groups and commercial associations.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number51‐148‐0]