Shamisen.

A Japanese three-string fretless plucked lute. In the Kansai area of Kyoto and Osaka it is called samisen and as part of koto chamber music it is often known as sangen. Since the mid-17th century it has been a popular contributor to the music of many levels of society, from folk and theatrical forms to classical and avant-garde compositions. A shamisen player usually accompanies a singer; purely instrumental music occurs primarily during interludes.

For further discussion of history and genres, see Japan, §V, 6.