1.
plectrum, pick, drumstick (for traditional Japanese instruments)
A tool used to strike or pluck the strings of traditional Japanese instruments such as the shamisen, biwa, or taiko. The shape varies by instrument — fan-shaped for shamisen, thin and flat for biwa, and thick wooden sticks for taiko drums.
三味線の撥で弦を弾く。
To pluck the strings with a shamisen plectrum.
太鼓の撥を力強く振り下ろした。
He brought the drumstick down powerfully onto the taiko.
津軽三味線では、大きな撥を使って激しく演奏する奏法が特徴的だ。
In Tsugaru shamisen, a characteristic technique involves playing intensely with a large plectrum.
The shape and material of the 撥 varies greatly depending on the instrument. For 三味線, it is a fan-shaped plectrum made of ivory, wood, or plastic. For 太鼓, it refers to thick wooden drumsticks. Also written as バチ in katakana in casual contexts.
The character 撥 is also used in the linguistic term 撥音 (the moraic nasal ん), though in that case the reading is はつ.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 三味線の撥: shamisen plectrum
- 太鼓の撥: taiko drumstick
- 撥さばき: plectrum/stick technique
- 撥を持つ: to hold a plectrum/stick
CULTURAL NOTE:
The 撥 is central to the sound and technique of traditional Japanese music. Different schools and genres use different sizes and materials, which significantly affect the tone. The 撥 used in 津軽三味線 is notably larger and heavier than those used in other shamisen styles.