The shamisen is a traditional Japanese musical instrument. It was introduced to Japan in the midsixteenth century via China and the Ryky Islands and was quickly... » 

The shamisen is a traditional Japanese musical instrument. It was introduced to Japan in the midsixteenth century via China and the Ryky Islands and was quickly established as a culturally significant musical instrument in its new context. The instrument ndash a threestring lute ndash developed numerous styles of performance and is found as a solo and ensemble instrument in diverse social and cultural contexts. The shamisen is known as an instrument of geisha in the entertainment districts it is used in kabuki and bunraku theatre and also has an established place within a widerange of performance traditions many of which are depicted in woodblock prints and other art depicting everyday life of the Edo period.This book which is based on the authorrsquos field research in Japan is a history of the shamisen. It locates the instrument within its various social and cultural contexts and includes accompanying illustrations e.g. woodblock prints photographs and illustrations to help show visually the place of the instrument in traditional and modern Japan. «