The shamisen (三味線), also known as sangen (三絃) or samisen (all meaning “three strings”), is a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument derived from the Chinese instrument sanxian. It is played with a plectrum called a bachi.
Tsugaru-Jamison (津軽三味線, つがるじゃみせん) or Tsugaru-shamisen (つがるしゃみせん) refers to both the Japanese genre of shamisen music originating from Tsugaru Peninsula in present-day Aomori Prefecture and the instrument it is performed with. It is performed throughout Japan, though associations with the Tsugaru remain strong. Tsugaru-Jamison is considered the most recognized genre of shamisen music and has enjoyed multiple periods of popularity in Japan (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
History
There are various types of shamisen. They are different in neck shape (thickness) and purpose. Tsugaru-Shamisen is the loudest shamisen among them. The root of the shamisen is Chinese sanxian. Sanshin is said to be brought from Ryukyu (ancient Okinawa area) to Osaka and then went up north (Tsugaru, around the present Aomori prefecture).
Specification
- Length
- String length (bridge to nut): 800 mm (bass guitar: 864 mm)
- Total length: about 1,000 mm (bass guitar: 1,181mm)
- Weight: about 3.2 kg (bass guitar: 4+ kg)
- Three strings, fretless
- Tone: short sustain, quite loud (like an acoustic guitar)
- the 1st string (lowest) is touching the neck around the nut and makes a chattering sound
- Picking: back (dedicated pick/plectrum)
- Tuning (similar to sanshin)
- 1st – 4th – 8th (ex. C – F – C) (Regular)
- 1st – 5th – 8th (ex. C – G – C) (2nd str. up)
- 1st – 4th – minor 7th (ex. C – F – Bb) (3rd str. down)
- Range of 1st (lowest) string: A2 to G3# (wider range than sanshin)
- Common tuning for beginners is C – G – C
Genre / Repertory
Lessons
Dealers and price range
Shamisen is rather pricy compared to sanshin. Confirm Huto-sao (thick neck) and full-length when searching for Tsugaru-shamisen.
- Shamisen Kameya: https://e-kameya.com/english/
- English page available
- Entry level 85,000 JPY (bachi is not included)
- English page available
- Bachido store: https://ja.bachido.com/store/rose-shamisen
- Cooperate with Bachido in the U.S.
- from 3500 USD
- Shamisen Raakuya: https://shami1000rakuya.com/
- https://shami1000rakuya.com/item/7770/ (from 85,000 JPY)
- Shamisen Box (toy quality)
- Sanshin: https://shami1000rakuya.com/category/item/sanshin/item-sanshin/
- Wagakkiya (Japanese only, ships overseas) https://wagakkiya.ocnk.net/