Discover the Magic of Shamisen: The Enigmatic Japanese Musical Instrument That Will Surprise You with its Percussive Sound

Around 1562, the percussive Shamisen evolved from the Chinese musical instrument called Sanxian. The Shamisen is a traditional Japanese musical instrument that has been used for centuries to accompany various forms of art, including Kabuki and Bunraku. It is a stringed instrument played with an ivory or plastic plectrum called a bachi and is composed of three strings made of silk, nylon, or animal gut.

At that time, this instrument arrived in Japan in two areas, Kansai in cities such as Sakai and Osaka, and through the port of Hakata in Kyushu, where the instrument was played by blind monks. Although the Shamisen has traditionally been associated with Japanese folk music, it has evolved over time and is now used in a wide variety of musical genres, including classical Japanese music and popular music. Nowadays, it is common to see Shamisen musicians playing alongside jazz, rock, and electronic music musicians.

The unique sound of the Shamisen is the result of its construction and unique playing techniques. The instrument’s body is made of cherry or paulownia wood and has a unique pear-shaped form. In addition, the strings are tightened with a peg system and are located on a movable fret called sawari, which helps to create a distinctive sound.

The Shamisen is a versatile and challenging instrument that requires great skill and dedication to play well. Shamisen players learn different playing techniques and music styles through practice and instruction from a master.

The Shamisen measures approximately 1 meter (3 feet) in length and has 3 strings. It is made of wooden pieces: the instrument’s body, which is a square box covered with skin on each side, and the neck or arm.

The strings are made of silk and are counted from top to bottom. The first string is called “Ichi no ito,” which is positioned to the left or above the sao and is the thickest and lowest-pitched string. The second string is called “Ni no ito” and is slightly thinner and higher-pitched. The third string is called “San no ito,” being the thinnest and highest-pitched of the three, as well as the most used during a musical interpretation.

The Shamisen is played with a plectrum or “bachi” that has a square shape that opens like a fan. The strings are sounded with the edges of the bachi.

A common playing technique in the Shamisen is called percussion, where the musician uses the bachi to strike the body of the instrument and create a rhythmic sound. This technique is especially popular in festival music and Kabuki music.

The most common intonation or tuning is called honchôshi (lit. “basic tuning”), in which the three strings are tuned to B-E-B in relation to the Western musical scale; niagari, in which the second string is tuned to F#; and sansagari, in which the last string is lowered in tuning to A, resulting in B-E-A.

The Shamisen became an essential part of Kabuki and almost all musical genres during the Edo period as part of accompanying music. But since the beginning of the Meiji era (1868-1912), it began to be appreciated as a soloist, enjoying more performances as such or as the main instrument in musical ensembles, alongside the Koto and Shakuhachi.

The sound of the shamisen is considered percussive because the bachi strikes the strings and the skin that covers the body of the shamisen.

In the Tsugaru district of western Aomori Prefecture, a new style developed known as Tsugaru-shamisen. It continues to be relatively popular in Japan. There is a tradition in Tsugaru where traveling performers play in front of people’s houses, singing folk songs along with their shamisen in exchange for some food or money. It is believed that this is how the Tsugaru shamisen style was born in the early 20th century.

In addition to the tsugaru-jamisen, there are many other musical genres that use the shamisen. For example, jiuta, a form of traditional music that originated in the city of Edo (now Tokyo), uses the shamisen as one of its main instruments. Nagauta, another traditional musical genre that originated in the city of Kyoto, also uses the shamisen.

A richly colored instrument capable of expressing a wide range of emotions, the shamisen reflects Japan’s artistic spirit.

One of Japan’s most famous shamisen musicians is Kinoshita Shinichi, who is known for his interpretation of the tsugaru-jamisen. He has recorded several albums and has toured worldwide. Another notable shamisen musician is Chikuzan Takahashi, who was one of the first musicians to introduce the bachiotoshi technique in the tsugaru-jamisen.

In addition to musicians, there are many composers who have written music for the shamisen. One of them is Michio Miyagi, who is known for his music for koto and shamisen. His works include “Haru no Umi” (“Sea of Spring”), one of the most famous pieces of traditional Japanese music. Another notable composer is Tadao Sawai, who has composed music for koto and shamisen, as well as for other traditional Japanese instruments.

In summary, the shamisen is a versatile and percussive musical instrument that has been used in a variety of musical genres in Japan. From tsugaru-jamisen to jiuta and nagauta, the shamisen has played an important role in traditional Japanese music. With notable musicians and composers like Kinoshita Shinichi, Chikuzan Takahashi, Michio Miyagi, and Tadao Sawai, the shamisen will continue to be a popular musical instrument in Japan and around the world.