The shamisen, also called sangen, is a three-stringed banjo-like musical instrument played with a plectrum, a bachi in Japanese. The instrument makes a sound twangy sound similar to the banjo yet very distinct and very Japanese.
For those of you who like listening to shamisen music or have never heard one, there will be a concert on February 7, 2010 at the Izumi Hall in the Chuo Ward of Osaka.
Jazz Pianist Satoru Shionoya and Shamisen Player Hiromitsu Agatsuma will perform their original songs, a mix of standard jazz and traditional Japanese music.
Tickets for the concert are ¥4000.
For more information call (06) 6944-1188.