Back to the Roots

Jiuta is the oldest style of shamisen music and thus a predecessor to many other styles. It developed as an instrumental genre with singing. When the shamisen was introduced to kabuki theater accompaniment, it developed into its own genre eventually: Nagauta. Sankyoku is an important non-vocal ensemble involving Jiuta Shamisen is the which consists of koto, shamisen, and kokyu. The kokyu is often substituted with shakuhachi.

A couple of Songs:

Yachiyo Jishi 

Yuugao

Midare (as a shamisen duet)

What else shall I get?

When you have covered all the basics you need to actually play the shamisen, you might want to level up on some accessories such as a new doukake or a different neo, to make your shamisen look more like “you”. But to make sure your shamisen stays as pretty and happy as it is for as long as possible, I recommend getting some items to keep your shamisen safe and beautiful first. Because the bachi is so very large, getting some extra protection for the bachi is a good idea, too.

Protection and Care

The most important thing to protect is the shamisen’s skin. If you have a shamisen with natural skins, you protect the dou from humidity with a washi bag. The next layer of protection – and pleasing to the eye, too – is a soft sleeve to wrap your shamisen in. If you ever want to transport your shamisen farther than from your living room to your balcony, I highly recommend getting a hardcase or at least a softcase/gigbag to get your shamisen safely from A to B.  Please make sure you always remove the koma  after you’re done with playing to take the pressure off the skin. Give the neck a quick rub with a soft cloth or a tsuyafukin and you’re shamisen is ready for its beauty sleep!