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Contents
What skin is used for shamisen?
“Cat and dog skins have been the material used for shamisen since the Edo period about 400 years ago,” says Kineya, who like many in his nagauta (literally, “long song”) troupe take the Kineya stage name.
How expensive is a shamisen?
Though some people know shamisen is for them upon hearing the first snap of the string, it’s difficult for most of us to spend $1000 on an instrument without trying it first.
What is the material of shamisen?
Traditional materials used in the neck of shamisen include (Indian) redwood, oak, rosewood and mulberry, while cat and dog skin is also used to cover the sound hole of the instrument.
What wood is shamisen made of?
The most prized wood used in making a shamisen is koki, a very hard imported kind of rosewood, but rosewood, walnut and mulberry are also used. The sao (neck) is 62.5 cm.
Is shamisen made of cat skin?
Artificial hides are constantly being improved, but professional shamisen players insist that there is no substitute for genuine cat. “The thickness of cat skin used on shamisen varies subtly from the centre to the edges,” says Eiji Tokiwaza, a player of traditional shamisen ballads.
Can men play shamisen?
The shamisen can be played solo or with other shamisen, in ensembles with other Japanese instruments, with singing such as nagauta, or as an accompaniment to drama, notably kabuki and bunraku. Both men and women traditionally played the shamisen.
Why is shamisen expensive?
It’s a combination of the raw cost of often rare materials, the hours of labor involved in making the instrument, the tools needed to make it, shop upkeep and staff salary, and of course compensation for the years of training it takes to become a master craftsperson.
Is it hard to learn shamisen?
Based on its appearance, one might expect the shamisen to sound similar to the Western ukulele or banjo, but the reality is that it’s a much more difficult instrument to listen to for the inexperienced ear.
Is the shamisen easy?
Shamisen is a Japanese traditional instrument that resembles a guitar. The sounds play by the three silk strings are very beautiful and cool. It’s a bit difficult, but everyone will surely feel fun.
What is shamisen made of today?
The shamisen is a lute instrument with three strings. It has a very long neck and is about 30 inches (one meter) long. Its body is made out of wood and covered with cat or dog skin (Pet lovers excuse!
Is shamisen used in kabuki?
Derived from the Chinese sanxian, the shamisen is used for narrative songs, Bunraku (puppet theater), Kabuki (drama), and koto chamber music, where it is called sangen.
What is nipponia?
Nipponia f. A taxonomic genus within the family Threskiornithidae – the sole species is the crested ibis.
Does the shamisen have frets?
Regardless, the shamisen sao has no frets, and therefore learning where the notes are is a particular challenge.
Who invented the shamisen?
The real founder of the shamisen is said to be Ishimura Kengyo (-1642) and the term “Kengyo” is the title given to the highest-ranking blind officer. From the Kamakura period, blind people made a living by playing musical instruments.
What is a shamisen tuned to?
SHAMISEN The standard shamisen tuning is D-G-D with a range of D above middle C, to F two octaves and a half higher. Repeated notes are easily done with up and down strokes of the bachi (plectrum.)
Where does the shamisen come from?
The samisen was derived from the similar Chinese sanxian, a version of which—the sanshin—reached Japan from the Ryukyu Islands in the 16th century.
How is the Hichiriki played?
A pitch slowly slides one hole up to its upper neighboring tone opening, and then rapidly closing two holes to move to its lower neighboring tone. Tapping the holes accentuates the last tone. On the hichiriki, the motion of the reed inside a performer’s mouth can also produce this effect.
How do you play sanxian?
It is played by plucking the strings either with the fingernails of the right hand or with a plectrum. Sanxian performance is characterized by powerful, resonant rolls and chords and large glissandos. It is popular in theatrical accompaniment, ballad-singing accompaniment, and the orchestra.
Where did the koto come from?
It’s said that the koto was invented in China around the fifth to the third century BC. Originally it had only 5 strings, but this later increased to 12 strings and then to 13,and the 13-string koto was brought to Japan during the Nara period (710–794).
Shamisen faces crisis as cat skins fall from favor | The Japan Times
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The Beginner’s Shamisen — Bachido Store
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The Beginner’s Shamisen
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31 Tokyo Shamisen (Three-Stringed Musical Instrument) Traditional Crafts of Tokyo�bBureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs Tokyo Metropolitan Government
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Shamisen – New World Encyclopedia
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Repair | KAMEYA Shamisen OnlineShop
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Shamisen Repair
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Glue for skin of Shamisen – japan-guide.com forum
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JOSESHAMISEN.com | Replace your Shamisen Skin in EUROPE
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- Summary of article content: Articles about JOSESHAMISEN.com | Replace your Shamisen Skin in EUROPE Jose Luque is Shamisen player and Artisan from Barcelona, Spain. He crafts shamisen, accesories and also replace your old shamisen skin. …
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Steven Smith installs a new head on a Shamisen [Pictures] – created 08-05-2011
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This shamisen is well made with body and neck of rosewood, and ebony tun
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The Beginner’s Shamisen — Bachido Store
The Beginner’s Shamisen
At Bachido, we know that shamisen are very expensive instruments to learn. Though some people know shamisen is for them upon hearing the first snap of the string, it’s difficult for most of us to spend $1000 on an instrument without trying it first. It’s been my dream for years to find a source for affordable shamisen so people can start their three-stringed journey with greater ease. And at last, we’ve done it! I present to you, the Beginner’s Shamisen.
View image gallery (10 pics)
Specifications
Hosozao Shamisen (Nagauta)
Sao: Mitsuori (Three-piece neck)
Itomaki: Ebony
Skin: Natural /
Wood of Sao and Dou: Karin
(Note) Darkness/color of wood may vary.
Helpful Videos
Kyle’s Opinion
Having tested it out myself, I am very happy with the quality of this shamisen. The clear and resonant tone almost surprised me, it’s so nice! The tone gave me great satisfaction, which is something I wasn’t expecting from a shamisen of this price. Unlike other beginner level shamisen, this one sounds like… like a real instrument! Also, the itomaki are made from real wood and the shamisen sparkles with a luscious lacquer, making this a beautiful instrument to admire as you play it. This is a shamisen that sounds great and looks beautiful. If you are ready to start learning, this is the instrument for you. You may pick this shamisen up as a beginner, but you will cherish it for many years to come.
Special Bonus!
To help you get started with your new Beginner’s Shamisen, I am including several learning materials for free!
Bachido Shamisen Crash Course
Premium Shamisen Course: Sakura
Premium Shamisen Course: Ringo Bushi
Premium Shamisen Course: Yasaburo Bushi
Note: A Bachido membership (free) is required to access the courses. To unlock the courses, please contact Bachido after ordering the Beginner’s Shamisen. Include the full name on your Bachido account, as well as your paypal receipt for the Beginner’s Shamisen. After your account and purchase has been verified, the courses will be unlocked to your account.
Testimonials
“I’ve been wanting to learn the shamisen for years, and thanks to Bachido, now I’m starting to! I’m really impressed with the quality and sound of this instrument. The videos and Kyle’s book have made learning how to play easy and fun!” – Kristen
“Just ordered one on the weekend cant wait to learn playing it!!” – Christian
“Oh my gosh, I can finally afford one. I just have to wait til after that holidays. YAY!”” – Gizmondo
Accessories NOT Included
Please note that the maker of the Beginner’s Shamisen does not carry accessories (strings, etc), and so they must be ordered separately (available below the order boxes).
Why can’t accessories be combined with the shamisen?
It is because accessories are provided by a separate supplier. In an effort to lower shipping costs, we tried combining accessories with the Beginner’s Shamisen before, but the overall shipping costs became higher than two separate shipments. Thus, it’s actually cheaper for the customer if the accessories and shamisen are shipped separately. Thank you for understanding!
2022 Update: Refreshed Shamisen
Since releasing the Beginner’s Shamisen in 2015, the maker build these instruments from his large supply of 30 year old Karin wood. Materials were much cheaper then, and allowed him to offer these shamisen much more affordably. However, as of mid-2022, the maker depleted his supply due to the overwhelming popularity of the Beginner’s Shamisen. Because karin wood is much more expensive these days, the cost would increase by $200, which I feel is too high for a resource intended for accessibility.
In order to keep the cost the same as before, the maker is acquiring used hosozao/nagauta shamisen (which is technically what the Beginner’s Shamisen is) and giving them a full refresh to new condition! All the parts are relacquered, metal fittings are polished, mitsuori joints are refitted, and brand new itomaki are installed. Basically, everything is done to bring used shamisen back to a brand new condition.
The main difference is that unlike the original Beginner’s Shamisen (which were all made to the exact same specifications by the same maker), these refreshed shamisen will have some variations, because they come from different makers from different decades. As you can see in the picture above, the shamisen on the left has noticably wider chibukuro (the “hips” of the tenjin, as it were) than the right. The maker is carefully looking for shamisen that match the original Beginner’s Shamisen as closely as possible, but certain elements will always have a bit of variation (like the minor differences shown in the picture above).
Order your Beginner’s Shamisen!
After you place your Paypal order…
Accessories NOT included
Required items are the Beginners Shamisen Accessory Set, one Bachi, and one Koma. If you do not already own these items, please order them below the Paypal Boxes.
Beginner’s Shamisen
Price: $ 500 USD Hibiki Color Option White Black Shipping method: EMS Airmail
USA/International: $90 (Your order will be processed by PayPal)
Get your Accessories!
Accessory Set Beginner Shamisen Accessory Set 初心者用三味線小物セット (NS_SET) This Accessory Set includes everything you need to get the most from your Beginner’s Shamisen. (Nagauta/Hosozao Size) Fujaku
Yubikake (Friction Reducer) – Color: Our choice please!
Neo – Purple
Doukake (Arm Guard) – Purple
Dou Gomu “(Rubber Knee Pad)”
Ichi no ito (3) (First String)
Ni no Ito (2) (Second String)
San no Ito (5) (Third String)
Pitch Pipe Bachi and Koma are sold separately. Please choose them below. Note: The size of the Beginner’s Shamisen is ‘Hosozao’, (generally known as ‘Nagauta Shamisen’) and these accessories are specifically meant for this kind of shamisen. . Please be aware, these items are NOT meant for Tsugaru/Futozao Shamisen. Price:
$140 USD Add to Cart Bachi Pantera Bachi パンテーラ撥 Introducing the newest technology for shamisen bachi! Made by TOA, the synthetic material of the blade is as close as it gets to natural material. Unlike other Faux Bekko bachi which are made from a material closer to acrylic (I’m not 100% sure, but it’s something like that), the Pantera is made of casein, which is a natural protein, and thus much closer to real shell than any other. Until now, I hadn’t felt that any bachi could match the same feeling as real bekko. Faux Bekko and Acrylic bachi are both outstanding, but still the feeling and tone were different (not bad, just not exactly the same). With that in mind, I am very, very impressed with the flex and tone from the Pantera bachi. I can only assume that casein is the key ingredient, because I can’t feel or hear a difference from bekko. Flex Options:
Hard: 8 This is very rigid, almost like Plastic Bachi, or cheaper bekko bachi. Only choose this if you are accustomed to hard bachi and especially prefer it. Medium: 5 This is a similar level to the Faux Bekko Bachi, as well as most bekko bachi available. Soft: 3 This is ideal for beginners. (Flex level has no connection to skill level – many professional players use soft bachi) Soft bachi are comparable to high end bekko bachi, as very flexible shell are reserved for expensive bachi. (Hard/Medium bachi can be high end as well, but it’s much harder to find natural soft flex in the lower price ranges) The extra flex makes it very comfortable to get a satisfying percussive snap against the skin, and unlike stiffer bachi, it doesn’t get caught in the strings as much. Masahiro Nitta’s personal bachi has a similar flexibility as this, and it’s my favorite as well. Size options: (Length x Width)
Large 167mm×93mm
Medium 164mm×88mm
Small 161mm×83mm Price:
$240 USD Size: Small Medium Large Hardness: Soft Medium Hard Add to Cart Play video Faux-Bekko Bachi べっ甲調撥 (BA-BC) Hardness level: 5.
Made by Tokyo Wagakki, this bachi is great for beginners and advanced players alike. It has a similar feel & flex of a natural bekko bachi, but is stronger and will potentially last many more years of hard tsugaru playing! The tortoise will thank you too. Update: the Pantera bachi (shown above) is made from newer material and in my opinion is even closer to natural bekko than this bachi. This bachi is still awesome so we still offer it, but I do prefer the Pantera. 🙂 Note: On very rare occasions, the blades of these bachi sometimes crack or separate from the handle. (It used to be a frequent problem but that issue seems to have been eliminated recently.) That being said, these bachi are covered with one-year insurance. If your bachi cracks or separates from the handle within one year’s time, send it back and it can be replaced! Price:
$269 USD Add to Cart Play video Wooden Bachi 木撥 (BA-K) Hardness level: 7.
The Wooden Bachi can be used for a variety songs and techniques. It’s only weakness is that it can break fairly quickly with hard tsugaru playing. Perfect for wood lovers!
Note: In the video, Nitta san plays an earlier model which we used to sell. The pictures show the current model available. Size Options 9cm x 16.5cm (Regular) – Normal size for Tsugaru style. 7cm x 15cm (Trimmed) – Ideal if you have average size hands but tend to find tsugaru bachi unwieldy. 6cm x 13cm (Small) – Best for kids or small hands. Price:
$45 USD Size: Regular Trimmed Small Add to Cart Play video Plastic Bachi プラスチック撥 (BA-P) Hardness level: 8.
Reccomended only for trying shamisen with little investment, or if you need an ice scraper. Unfortunately, it is difficult to use and can make the shamisen experience less enjoyable. Price:
$35 USD Color: black white Add to Cart Koma Bamboo Koma 竹駒 (KM-T) Sound quality:
Soft and warm. Material:
Madake (bamboo) Height:
8mm Price:
$50 USD Add to Cart Bamboo Koma #1 (Bone Tip) 先骨竹駒 (KM-TB) Sound quality:
Clean and crisp. Bone tip brings a sharper tone, compared to the Bamboo Koma Material:
Base – Bamboo
Saddle – Bone Height:
8mm Price:
$50 USD Add to Cart Susudake Bamboo Koma (Half Bone) すす竹駒半骨 I must admit, this is my absolute favorite koma. It’s both great sounding and a gorgeous work of art. This koma is made from susudake (soot bamboo) and half bone top is expertly carved with three waves (or some might see fangs) curving downward. All of the bamboo/wood koma on Bachido sound great, but I particularly like this one for both it’s style and sound. Height:
8mm Price:
$62 USD Add to Cart Bamboo Koma #2 (Bone Tip) 入骨竹駒舟形 This bamboo base of this koma is called “Boat Shape”. The base is slightly thicker while the middle is cut away. Personally, I don’t find a huge difference between the Boat Shape base and the standard base. You’ll probably hear a slight difference in tone between the two, but I don’t think one is “better” than the other. Furthermore, when comparing the sound quality of two koma, it’s important to consider the tightness and age of the shamisen skin, as some koma may sound better on fresher or older skins than others. Sound quality:
Clean and crisp. Bone tip brings a sharper tone, compared to the Bamboo Koma Material:
Base – Bamboo
Saddle – Bone Height:
8mm Price:
$47 USD Add to Cart Bamboo Koma #1 (Half Bone) 半骨竹駒 (KM-HB) Sound quality:
Sharper and harder compared to ‘Bamboo Koma (Bone Tip)’ Material:
Base – Bamboo
Saddle – Bone Height:
8mm Price:
$50 USD Add to Cart Bamboo Koma #2 (Half Bone) 半骨竹駒舟形 This bamboo base of this koma is called “Boat Shape”. The base is slightly thicker while the middle is cut away. Personally, I don’t find a huge difference between the Boat Shape base and the standard base. You’ll probably hear a slight difference in tone between the two, but I don’t think one is “better” than the other. Furthermore, when comparing the sound quality of two koma, it’s important to consider the tightness and age of the shamisen skin, as some koma may sound better on fresher or older skins than others. Sound quality:
Sharper and harder compared to ‘Bamboo Koma (Bone Tip)’ Material:
Base – Bamboo
Saddle – Bone Height:
8mm Price:
$55 USD Add to Cart Play video Kouki Koma #1 紅木駒 Sound quality:
The bone tip makes the tone crisper overall. However, I’ve noticed that the kouki base makes the tone mellower than the “Bamboo Koma (Half Bone)” This is rather surprising as kouki is much harder than bamboo. Note that results will vary depending on the age and quality of your shamisen skin. Material:
Base – Kouki
Tip – Bone Height:
8mm Price:
$50 USD Add to Cart Play video Shinobi Koma 忍び駒 (KM-SNOBI) Neighbors keeping your sound levels down? Desperately wanting to play shamisen now but still recovering from that hangover? The shinobi koma (Stealth Bridge) is made for you! Replacing your normal koma with the Shinobi Koma will lower the sound level tremendously. Sound quality:
Muted (intentionally) Material:
Plastic Height:
7mm Note: Though the sound from striking the string is significantly reduced, the percussive sound from the bachi snapping against the skin isn’t affected by the koma. Price:
$14 USD Add to Cart
31 Tokyo Shamisen (Three-Stringed Musical Instrument) Traditional Crafts of Tokyo�bBureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs Tokyo Metropolitan Government
The ancestor of the Japanese shamisen is the Chinese three-stringed shamisen. The three-stringed shamisen was created in China, it coming to be known as the snake-skin shamisen when passing to the Kingdom of the Ryukyus (modern Okinawa Prefecture) at the end of the 14th century as snake skin was subsequently used in its manufacture.
It is believed that the first shamisen examples appearing in mainland Japan were landed at the Port of Sakaino after being traded from the Ryukyus. This event occurred during the Eiroku Era (1558-1570) as the Muromachi Period (1337-1573) drew to a close.
At around that time, when players of the biwa (the Japanese lute) played snake-skin shamisen in accompaniment to kouta (ballads) and dances, they encountered the problem of snake skins tearing. After trying a number of different skins as possible replacements for snake skin, these musicians decided to use cat skin.
Thus came about the development of a unique Japanese shamisen that was strummed using the pick of the biwa.
During the Edo Period (1603-1868) at around the time of the Kanei Era (1624-1643), master shamisen craftsmen such as Kanda Harumitsu and Ishimura Omi began to appear on the scene. The appearance of such craftsmen contributed to the development of musical styles such as nagauta (epic Kabuki songs), gidayu (puppet theater recitations), icchubushi (dramatic recitations accompanied by shamisen), tokiwatsu (a kabuki narrative), kiyomotobushi and shinnaibushi (narrative pieces). These styles represent the basis of the modern shamisen musical repertoire. The manufacturing of shamisen also flourished at this time.
When a shamisen string is plucked, it leaves behind a distinctive sound (resonance) called a sawari. The musical effect of the sawari has linkages to the ethnic identity of the Japanese.
In that Japanese people tend to prefer intermediate colors rather than primary ones, it also seems that they prefer complex sounds that contain overtones rather than simple ones. Traditional materials used in the neck of shamisen include (Indian) redwood, oak, rosewood and mulberry, while cat and dog skin is also used to cover the sound hole of the instrument.
New World Encyclopedia
Kitagawa Utamaro, “Flowers of Edo: Young Woman’s Narrative Chanting to the Samisen,” ca. 1880
A shamisen or samisen (Japanese: (三 味), (:線, literally “three taste strings”), also called sangen (literally “three strings”) is a three-stringed musical instrument played with a plectrum called a bachi. The pronunciation in Japanese is usually “shamisen” (in western Japan, and often in Edo-period sources “samisen”) but sometimes “jamisen” (when used as a suffix, e.g. Tsugaru-jamisen).
It is derived from a Chinese stringed instrument with a drum-like body covered with snakeskin, the sanxian, which was introduced to Japan during the sixteenth century. Traditionally it was made with the skin of a dog or cat, but today synthetic materials are being used.
The shamisen can be played solo or with other shamisen, in ensembles with other Japanese instruments, as an accompaniment to singing such as nagauta, or as an accompaniment to drama, notably Kabuki and Bunraku. The shamisen is used in several genres of music, including nagauta, or long song; joruri, meant to accompany the narrator (tayu) of a puppet play; Kabuki theater; and gidayū, named after Takemoto Gidayū (1651-1714), an icon of the Bunraku puppet-theater.
Construction
A Japanese man playing a shamisen while another sings.
The shamisen is similar in length to a guitar, but its neck is much slimmer and without frets. Its drum-like rounded rectangular body, known as a dō, is covered with skin in the manner of a banjo, and amplifies the sound of the strings. The skin is usually from a dog or cat, but in the past a special type of paper was used and recently various types of plastics are being tried. On the skin of some of the best shamisen, the position of the cat’s nipples can be seen.[1]
The three strings are traditionally made of silk, or, more recently, nylon. The lowest passes over a small hump at the “nut” end so that it buzzes, creating a characteristic sound known as sawari (This is a little like the “buzzing” of a sitar, which is called jawari). The upper part of the dō is almost always protected by a cover known as a dō kake, and players often wear a little band of cloth on their left hand, to facilitate sliding up and down the neck. This band is known as a yubi kake. There may also be a cover on the head of the instrument, known as a tenjin.
The most prized wood used in making a shamisen is koki, a very hard imported kind of rosewood, but rosewood, walnut and mulberry are also used. The sao (neck) is 62.5 cm. long, but of different thicknesses depending on the type of shamisen. The three basic types are “hosozao” (“narrow neck”), which is used for Nagauta; “chuzao” (“middle-sized neck”), which is used for Tokiwazu, Kiyomoto and Shinnai; and “futozao” (“thick necked”), used for Gidayu. The sao is made from one piece of wood, often divided into two or three pieces so that it can be disassembled to be carried compactly. The dō is made from Chinese quince, mulberry or zelkova wood.
Playing
In most genres the shamisen is played with a large weighted plectrum called a bachi, which was traditionally made with ivory or tortoise shell but which now is usually wooden, and which is in the shape of a ginkgo leaf. The sound of a shamisen is similar in some respects to that of the American banjo, in that the drum-like skin-covered body, or dō, amplifies the sound of the strings. As in the clawhammer style of American banjo playing, the bachi is often used to strike both string and skin, creating a highly percussive sound.
In kouta (“short song”) and occasionally in other genres the shamisen is plucked with the fingers.
History and Genres
Chie Hanawa, modern shamisen player
The shamisen derives from the sanshin (a close ancestor from the southernmost Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, and one of the primary instruments used in that area), which in turn evolved from the Chinese sanxian, itself deriving originally from Central Asian instruments. Around 1562, the sanxian was introduced by trading ships into two geographical areas of Japan, the cities of Sakai and Osaka and the port of Hakata in Kyushu. In Kyushu, the instrument was played by blind priests. After some thirty years of experiments and improvements, by the beginning of the Azuchi period the basic shape of the modern shamisen was established. The oldest shamisen in existence today, called “Yodo,” was made by an artisan in Kyoto on the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Although in the early days of Kabuki the music ensemble was virtually identical to the Noh ensemble with no shamisen, during the Edo period the shamisen became an indispensable part of Kabuki and of almost all types of musical performance.
The shamisen can be played solo or with other shamisen, in ensembles with other Japanese instruments, as an accompaniment to singing such as nagauta, or as an accompaniment to drama, notably Kabuki and Bunraku. Both men and women traditionally played the shamisen.
The predominant genre of music played by the shamisen players was nagauta, or long song. This was a simple, lyrical style dating from the later seventeenth century, but during the nineteenth century it grew more ornate and complex. Shamisen players also play a genre of music called joruri, after the joruri singing style in puppet plays. Such music was meant to accompany the narrator (tayu) as he sang the story of the play. In the joruri theater, all the action is sung by a narrator, but Kabuki theater alternates narrative with spoken dialogue. When a shamisen player in Kabuki theater plays in both nagauta and joruri styles, this mixture of genres is called kake ai performance.
The most famous and perhaps most demanding of the narrative styles is gidayū, named after Takemoto Gidayū (1651-1714), who was heavily involved in the Bunraku puppet-theater tradition in Osaka. The gidayū shamisen and its plectrum are the largest of the shamisen family, and the singer-narrator is required to speak the roles of the play, as well as to sing all the commentaries on the action. The singer-narrator role is often so vocally taxing that the performers are changed halfway through a scene. There is little notated in the books (maruhon) of the tradition except the words and the names of certain appropriate generic shamisen responses. The shamisen player must know the entire work perfectly in order to respond effectively to the interpretations of the text by the singer-narrator. From the nineteenth century female performers known as onna-jōruri or onna gidayū also carried on this concert tradition.
In the early part of the twentieth century, blind musicians, including Shirakawa Gunpachirō (1909-1962), Takahashi Chikuzan (1910-1998), and sighted musicians such as Kida Rinshōe (1911-1979), evolved a new style of playing, based on traditional folk songs (“Min’yo”) but involving much improvisation and flashy fingerwork. This style, now known as Tsugaru-jamisen, after its home region in the north of Honshū, continues to be relatively popular in Japan. The virtuosic Tsugaru-jamisen style is sometimes compared to bluegrass banjo.
One contemporary shamisen player, Takeharu Kunimoto, plays bluegrass music on the shamisen, having spent a year studying bluegrass at East Tennessee State University and performing with a bluegrass band there. Another player using the Tsugaru-jamisen in non-traditional genres is Michihiro Sato, who plays free improvisation on the instrument. The Japanese American jazz pianist Glenn Horiuchi played shamisen in his performances and recordings.
Notes
References ISBN links support NWE through referral fees
Adriaansz, Willem. Introduction to Shamisen Kumiuta (Source materials and studies in ethnomusicology). Knuf, 1978.
(Source materials and studies in ethnomusicology). Knuf, 1978. Daiji, Kazuo. The birth of Tsugaru shamisen music: The origin and development of a Japanese folk performing art (Tsugaru shamisen no tanjo: minzoku geino no seisei … and development of Tsugaru shamisen music aijo) . Aomori University Press, 1998.
. Aomori University Press, 1998. Keister, Jay. Shaped by Japanese Music . Routledge, 2004.
. Routledge, 2004. Malm, William P. Traditional Japanese Music and Musical Instruments . Kodansha International, 2000.
. Kodansha International, 2000. Naomi, Hirahara. Snakeskin Shamisen. Delta, 2006.
All links retrieved November 3, 2019.
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