三味線(しゃみせん)

しゃみせん
noun
shamisen
1. shamisen, three-stringed lute
A traditional Japanese three-stringed musical instrument played with a plectrum, used in various genres of traditional music.
三味線(しゃみせん)を弾(ひ)く。
I play the shamisen.
津軽(つがる)三味線(じゃみせん)は力強(ちからづよ)い。
Tsugaru shamisen is powerful.
Famous regional style
歌舞伎(かぶき)には三味線(しゃみせん)の伴奏(ばんそう)が欠(か)かせない。
Shamisen accompaniment is essential for kabuki.

COMPOUND: 三(さん/しゃ) (three) + 味(み) (taste) + 線(せん) (string) - though 味(み) refers to 撥味(ばちあじ) (plectrum feel)

ALTERNATE READING:

  • 三味線(さみせん) - also correct

PARTS:

  • 胴(どう) (body - covered with animal skin)
  • 棹(さお) (neck)
  • 糸(いと) (strings)
  • 撥(ばち) (plectrum)

TYPES/STYLES:

  • 津軽(つがる)三味線(じゃみせん) (Tsugaru shamisen - powerful, fast)
  • 義太夫(ぎだゆう)三味線(じゃみせん) (for bunraku/joruri)
  • 長唄(ながうた)三味線(じゃみせん) (for kabuki)
  • 地唄(じうた)三味線(じゃみせん) (chamber music)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 三味線(しゃみせん)を弾(ひ)く (to play shamisen)
  • 三味線(しゃみせん)奏者(そうしゃ) (shamisen player)

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Related Words

Related: 尺八(しゃくはち) (shakuhachi)
general
Added 2026.1.14 23:59 · Revised 2026.1.24 16:38
04000/04464_shamisen