Tokyo Shamisen
Three-Stringed Japanese Musicul instrument
The origin of Japanese Shamisen is Sangen from China. Sangen is made in Gen period of China and it was handed down to Ryukyu in end of 14 century. They used the skin of snake in Ryukyu so it's called Jahisen. Sangen handed down from Ryukyu to Japan in the end of Muromachi period among Enroku year(1558～1570)., and this time, Sangen is considered to come in to the port of Sakai at first time. At that time, Biwa's Buddhist priest tried variety of animal skin whichi is stronger than snake skin, and they thought of using cat skin. Playing Biwa with a plectrum is unique to Japan.
