The history of shamisen
Shamisen is the instrument that is actually introduced into Japan from China.
Shamisen is an improvement on the “Sanshin,” and developed it that is came to the Ryukyu Island from China during the Muromachi period (1338-1573.) Also, Shamisen is officially came to Japan around Sixteen Century. After half Century, Japan improved a “Sanshin” to match with Japanese music.
This is the root of “Shamisen” that is a peculiar to stringed instrument that has elements of melodious and percussion.
The person who improvement and created has been introduced Biwa Buddhist priest or blind musician who is the originator of “Shamisen Kumima.”
About the Shamisen music
Shamisen music is a generic name that is the whole music that makes Shamisen the main instrument. Recently, there are instrumental pieces, but most of these are vocal pieces in the modern ages.
The Shamisen practically contains the modern music, also Japanese modern music could be Shamisen music itself. Shamisen’s tone and the playing created each Japanese modern music, and Japanese music improvement more on the Shamisen
Shamisen music was started as ‘Jiuta’ that is Shamisen kumika, at the same time ‘Kojyoururi’ appeared that is transport instrument of Shamisen.
Therefore, Japanese own way of categorizing the music to ‘Katarimono’ and ‘Utaimono.’
Nara period that is also 1300 years ago.‘Jiuta’ and ‘Jyoururi’ was changed as develop, expanded genre, accomplished specialized ‘Ryuuha’, and build a frame of Japanese modern music. Also, it became motive power of prosperity of Japanese traditional performance art like ‘Kabuki’ and ‘Ningyou jyoururi.’
Each traditional music, like ‘Sekkyou setsu’. ‘Saibun’ and folk song became Shamisen music with changing the instrument to Shamisen.
