Shamisen (三味線)

Shigemoto, Isohachi

ca. 1875 · Wood, cloth, skin · Musical Instruments

This plucked instrument is often played with a large plectrum. The shamisen’s belly amplifies the sound of the strings and is sometimes struck with the plectrum when playing, creating a percussive sound. The shamisen can be heard in nagauta, narrative songs, Bunraku, Kabuki, and koto chamber music, where it is called sangen.

Artist

Shigemoto, Isohachi

Date

ca. 1875

Medium

Wood, cloth, skin

Culture

Japanese

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889