Shamisen

America has their banjo, Japan has their shamisen. Since the 16th century this fretless 3 string instrument has been played in a variety of styles and genres. In modern Japanese music the most popular is Tsugaru-shamisen which is fast and highly percussive.

This percussive sound comes from the way the shamisen is played, which is by striking both the string and the body of the instrument in the same motion. Like the banjo, the body of the shamisen is covered with a skin, usually of a dog or cat. It is this skin that the player strikes with his plectrum, called a bachi, at the same time he hits the strings.

The distinct sound produced by the shamisen has spread into a number of modern genres including jazz, rock and even bluegrass. Traditionally the shamisen has been played solo, with other shamisen, and entire ensembles. It was also long used to accompany singers and narrators of the theatre. Then in the 20th century, a couple of blind musicians came up with new ways to play this musical instrument and helped develop Tsugaru-shamisen style, the modern favorite.

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