The Shamisen And The Japanese Who Wield it - Three Tune Tuesday

There is an instrument in Japan called the shamisen. It is 3 stinged instrument reminiscent of a banjo for Americans. It's origins start in Africa, spread to China and finally Japan in the 16th century. It was often played by Geisha to entertain their customers and by next to the shakuhachi, flute, it is without a doubt the most famous instrument from Japan.

The Yoshida Brothers are probably the most famous shamisen players in the world. While coming up, they made it big in the mid 2000s on a collaboration song "Change" with a Canadian/Japanese band called Monkey Majik. It's a timeless tune not well known outside of Japan.

Monkey Majik + 吉田兄弟 - Change

Even on their own the brothers still rock. Here they are jamming and showing their mastery of the instrument.

Yoshida Brothers - Kodo

While the Yoshida Brothers may be the King's of shamisen, there is no doubt that Beni Ninagawa of Wagakki band is the Queen. Listen to & watch her tear it up in Homura.

Wagakki Band - 焔 (Homura) + 暁ノ糸 (Akatsuki no Ito)

Beni has said this is the fastest she has played the shamisen and doesn't like performing it because it hurts her wrist for a week afterwards.

That's it for this week. Enjoy the rest of the week with music!

Thanks to @boxcarblue for introducing me to #TTT and @ablaze for dreaming it up.

Thanks for listening!