Shamisen

19th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681

Derived from the Chinese sanxian, the shamisen is used for narrative songs, Bunraku (puppet theater), Kabuki (drama), and koto chamber music, where it is called sangen. Although modern versions often use plastic, the shamisen’s belly was traditionally made of dog- or catskin, and different sizes appear in specific genres. Purely soloistic interludes (ai-no-te) are played between sections of nagauta (love songs).

Artwork Details

Overview

Exhibition History

Title: Shamisen
Date: 19th century
Geography: Japan
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Wood, cloth, skin
Dimensions: 38 1/4 × 7 1/2 × 3 3/4 in. (97.1 × 19 × 9.5 cm)
Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-unfretted
Credit Line: Purchase, Clara Mertens Bequest, in memory of André Mertens, by exchange; and Gift of Mark H. Handwerk, in memory of Mary Lewin Wethered Clark Handwerk, by exchange, 1990
Object Number: 1990.129.5
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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Women Playing Music, Yanagawa Shigenobu Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Women Playing Music
Yanagawa Shigenobu
19th century

Bachi (Plectrum) Used in Playing Shamisen, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Bachi (Plectrum) Used in Playing Shamisen
Kubo Shunman
19th century

A Geisha with a Shamisen, Kitagawa Kikumaro Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — A Geisha with a Shamisen
Kitagawa Kikumaro
ca. 1815

Woman Tuning a Shamisen and a Cat Looking at its Own Reflection

, Yashima Gakutei Japanese, Part of an album of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Woman Tuning a Shamisen and a Cat Looking at its Own Reflection
Yashima Gakutei
mid- 1820s

Figure of Girl playing Shamisen, Porcelain decorated with colored enamels (Hizen ware, Kutani type), Japan — Figure of Girl playing Shamisen
Japan
1870

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