Shamisen
Origin: China
Shamisens vary in shape and size, depending
on what genre the shamisen is used in. For example, the futozao (lit. "Thick Neck") of Tsugaru-jamisen is quite a recent innovation, and is purposefully constructed much larger than traditional style shamisens. Its body is much larger, and its neck is much longer and thicker than the traditional nagauta and/or jiuta shamisens.
The shamisen is one of Japan's most popular classical musical instruments. Another Chinese import, it came to Japan by way of Okinawa in the middle of the 16th century.
There are various playing styles such as Gidaiyu, Ji-uta, Naga-uta, Ko-uta, Tsugaru...
Megumi plays Shin-nai, which is the representative of Edo style sentimental music. Flowing melody lines, little coquettish and heart-breaking lyrics.
In the early part of the 20th century, blind musician and sighted ones evolved a new style of playing, based on traditional folk songs but involving much improvisation and flashy fingerwork. This style - now known as Tsugaru-jamisen, after the home region of this style in the north of Honshu - continues to be quite popular in Japan.
There are three tunings, adopted to Hirajoshi / Honchoshi / Ni-agari / San-sagari.
The word 'agari' means raising, 'sagari' is lowering, 'choshi' is normal, 'joshi' is tuning.