三味线バンジョーに似た形の弦楽器で、フレットのないのが特徴です。3本の弦をばちで弾いて演奏し、歌舞伎や文楽、民謡の伴奏に使われます。中国から冲縄を経て日本全国に普及し、独自の発展を遂げました。江戸时代(1603~1867)以降、日本の代表的な楽器となりました。 - k/ i' g+ ?* @2 aShamisenThis is a stringed instrument shaped like a banjo, but its outstanding feature is that it has no frets. It is played by striking its three strings with a plectrum and is used as accompanimentfor Kabuki and bunraku plays and for folk songs. It came from China through Okinawa and spread throughout Japan, in which it developed independently from the original style. It became the representative instrument of Japan since the Edo Period(1603-1867).