Tsugaru shamisen is characterized by its “Japanese” sound quality and strong, dynamic performance.
Did you know that Tsugaru shamisen is actually a popular music in the world?
Tsugaru shamisen also has a short history among traditional performing arts, having been born only 150 years ago.
In its short history, the company has even expanded overseas.
In this article, we will thoroughly explain the history of this traditional art form [Tsugaru shamisen], of which the Japanese people should be proud.
If you are thinking of playing the Tsugaru shamisen for entertaining foreigners, or if you want to acquire the knowledge to be able to talk about it in depth, please read on.
What are the roots of the shamisen?
Before tracing the history of the Tsugaru shamisen, let us first look at the history of the “shamisen”.
The origin of the shamisen is the Chinese “sangen” (three strings)
The shamisen is believed to have its roots in the sanshien, a musical instrument found in China.
The sangen is also used in modern China and is played by plucking three strings.
The three strings are exactly the same as on the shamisen.
The sound is very similar to the shamisen, but it is not played as the main instrument like the shamisen, but is often used as an [accompaniment] to storytelling and traditional drama.
What is the difference between Tsugaru shamisen and shamisen?
After the shamisen was born, the genre of “Tsugaru shamisen” was established, and the question arises, “What is the difference between Tsugaru shamisen and shamisen? The question arises, “What is the difference between Tsugaru Shamisen and Shamisen?
The shamisen is an instrument with a leather-covered body and three strings.
The Tsugaru shamisen is an instrument of the same construction, but it is larger than the regular shamisen in appearance.
Thanks to its large, thick structure, the Tsugaru shamisen is able to produce a powerful sound.
In addition, there are differences in the way they are performed as follows
The Tsugaru shamisen performance is characterized by the violent and rapid clapping of the bachi.”
Citation: ” Differences between Tsugaru shamisen and other types of shamisen (xn--ehq39m2tg8xkcyjjizlt0a.jp) “
While the normal shamisen has a delicate and graceful style of playing, the Tsugaru shamisen is characterized by its [tapping-like playing technique] and the speed of its melodies.
Also, Tsugaru shamisen has no sheet music.
This is another difference between the shamisen and the regular shamisen, as improvisation and learning from the master’s performance are the most common styles of playing.
The birth and popularity of the shamisen
The shamisen is said to have been popular from the Warring States Period to the Edo Period.
Let’s take a look at how the shamisen spread to the masses and became popular.
Japan’s own “Shamisen” is created.
As already explained, the origin of the shamisen is the Chinese “sanxian” (three strings).
It is believed that this sangen was transformed into Japan’s own shamisen during the Warring States period.
The Chinese-born sanshin was introduced to the Ryukyu Kingdom (today’s Okinawa Prefecture) through trade and transformed into a musical instrument called sanshin.
The sanshin is a musical instrument that is still played today, mainly in Okinawa. Like the shamisen, the sanshin is a three-stringed instrument.
Originally used for court ceremonies, the shamisen was gradually introduced to mainland Japan, where it evolved into the shamisen with improvements in size and material.
In other words, “sangen (China)” → “sanshin (Okinawa)” → “shamisen (mainland Japan)” were transmitted and changed to create the shamisen as we know it today.
A group that makes its living on the shamisen is born.
In the Edo period (1603-1867), a group of people began to stand out as professional shamisen players.
It also seemed that many of the shamisen groups were made up of blind men and women.
They traveled around the country, shamisen in hand, performing shamisen music and singing throughout the country.
These shamisen groups were officially recognized by the shogunate, and their role was to provide work for the blind.
In the Edo period, there was also an image that “being able to play the shamisen = being popular with the opposite sex.
Shamisen playing spread throughout Japan, both as a popular pastime and as a profession.
Also used as accompaniment for Kabuki performances
The shamisen also serves as an accompaniment for Kabuki performances.
Kabuki was a popular pastime among the masses during the Edo period, and the shamisen was often used as an accompaniment.
If we were to use a modern analogy, it would be easier to understand if we think of it as “standing like an insert song in a drama or movie.
The shamisen has become a familiar sound in the hearts of the Japanese people through its inclusion as an accompaniment to kabuki, which is watched by many people.
As the shamisen spread throughout Japan, the modern Tsugaru shamisen was born.
Meiji Era｜The Tsugaru shamisen is born.
The Tsugaru shamisen was born in the Meiji era, some 300 years after the shamisen was created.
It is surprising that the history of the Tsugaru shamisen alone is surprisingly short, only a little over 150 years.
Let’s take a look at how the Tsugaru shamisen genre was born and spread.
Emergence of “Nitabo,” the founder of Tsugaru shamisen
The originator of the Tsugaru shamisen is said to be “Nitabo,” a shamisen player of the Meiji era.
Nitabo was a blind shamisen player who lost his sight as a child.
As mentioned earlier, during the Edo period, there was a shamisen group made up of blind people, but this group was abolished with the Meiji Restoration.
Nitabo turned this into an opportunity.
Until then, blind people had been under the jurisdiction of the shogunate to play the shamisen, but now that they were out of its jurisdiction, they could play freely, and Nitabo took advantage of this.
First, Nitabo begins with a street performance in which he plays three instruments: shamisen, shakuhachi, and bamboo flute.
In his exploration of street performance, he came across the futozao shamisen, a type of shamisen with a powerful tone, and developed a style of playing in which the strings are plucked.
▼Types of Shamisen
Image from: ” Musical Instruments｜Digital Library of Culture jac.go.jp
- Hosozao shamisen (hosozaojamisen)
…The smallest body part, often used for stage music and nagauta performances. - Chuzao shamisen (chuzao shamisen)
…thicker body than the hosozao shamisen and characterized by a moist and lustrous tone - Futozao shamisen (futozao jamisen)
…characterized by its thick body and powerful tone
Even today, the “futozao shamisen” is the mainstay of Tsugaru shamisen playing, and the style of playing started by Nitabo in the Meiji era (1868-1912) has been carried over to the present day.
Nitabo’s performance style became so popular that he had a large number of disciples.
After World War II, it spread to the rest of the country.
It was not until after World War II that the Tsugaru shamisen became popular nationwide.
Surprisingly, it was only a few decades ago that it spread across the country.
The nationwide spread of the Tsugaru shamisen was due in large part to a man named Michiya Mihashi, who honed his shamisen skills with a troupe of Nitabo’s students.
Michiya Mihashi became very popular after the war as a Tsugaru shamisen player and singer.
The records sold totaled more than 100 million copies.
Along with the rise in popularity of this Mikiya Mihashi, the Tsugaru shamisen became well known throughout the country.
Became popular music with records and CDs released.
The popularity of Tsugaru shamisen grew after its popularization by Michiya Mihashi, and many records and CDs were released.
In recent years, the Yoshida Brothers’ popularity is easy to understand, even for those unfamiliar with Tsugaru shamisen.
The Yoshida brothers have released CDs through major record labels and have been ranked in the Oricon rankings alongside trending singers and others.
Shamisen music has a traditional and old-fashioned impression, and because of this, people tend to have an image that it is “expensive,” but Tsugaru shamisen music is also supported by people today who are used to pop music.
2022-｜What is the Tsugaru Shamisen in the modern age?
The Tsugaru shamisen was born in the Meiji era (1868-1912), and continues to evolve even today in the 2025 era.
Let us now look at the evolution of the Tsugaru shamisen during the 2025 period.
Expanding into various genres, including the animation song world
The Tsugaru shamisen has also been featured prominently in collaborations with a variety of singers, including anime songs.
For example, the aforementioned Yoshida brothers are active in collaborating not only with Japanese domestic anime songs and singers, but also with foreign bands.
In addition, the “teamLab,” which is popular among international travelers, creates a stage that always surprises the audience, including collaborative performances with DJs.
Reference site: “The Yoshida Brothers “Want to be the Light of Tsugaru Shamisen” – Pioneering Originality in the Traditional World! | Music is good for every day. | Web Magazine ONTOMO
Since Tsugaru shamisen started in the Meiji era and is still in its infancy, the rules and traditions are not too rigid, and the flexibility to try new genres is an appealing feature of the instrument.
And as evidenced by collaborations with foreign bands, the popularity and name recognition of the band is growing outside of Japan as well.
World competitions have also been held, establishing popularity overseas.
Tsugaru shamisen also holds world championships.
The World Championships in 2024 had a record number of applicants, with hundreds of people wanting to enter.*As of May 2024
It is clear that the Tsugaru shamisen is gaining attention and popularity among foreigners.
Reference site: ” ‘Tsugaru Shamisen World Tournament’ to be held in Hirosaki, with record number of entries – Hirosaki Keizai Shimbun “.
Tsugaru shamisen has been loved for about 150 years since the Meiji Era
Nitabo, the founder of the Tsugaru shamisen, continued to strike a chord with people with his powerful tone, despite his own handicap in the turbulent times.
From there, in its short history of about 150 years, it has evolved into an art form that is supported by foreign countries as well.
Today, the company collaborates with popular animations and singers, and continues to change and challenge itself, while retaining its traditions.
There are also an increasing number of facilities where visitors can experience the Tsugaru shamisen, which is also popular among foreigners.
Motenas Japan can also produce custom-made Tsugaru shamisen experiences, so please feel free to contact us for more information.
Reference Site
What is Tsugaru Shamisen – Japanese Musical Instrument Unit Wa-Kyo
Shamisen Player: Fumiyoshi Fumiyoshi: Official Site
Column – Senchado Tokyo Online
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