Japan’s classical string tradition centers on two instruments of very different character: the shamisen — a three-stringed lute with a piercing, plucked sound suited to narrative storytelling — and the koto — a 13-stringed zither of stately, resonant beauty used in court and chamber music. Together with the shakuhachi bamboo flute, these instruments form the core of Japan’s traditional music (hogaku), a living performance art increasingly embraced by young Japanese musicians who fuse it with jazz, classical, and electronic genres.
The Shamisen
The shamisen (sangen in formal contexts) arrived in Japan via Okinawa’s sanshin in the 16th century and quickly became the instrument of kabuki, bunraku puppet theater, and the geisha entertainment world. Its body is a small square drum covered in cat or dog skin (modern instruments often use synthetic skin); three strings are struck with a large ivory or buffalo horn plectrum (bachi).
Regional styles vary significantly:
- Nagauta — “long song” style for kabuki accompaniment; delicate, flowing.
- Tsugaru-jamisen — northern Aomori street style; virtuosic, percussive, improvisational. Competitions draw packed audiences; the blind street musician tradition (bosama) is its historical root. Most widely heard style today in live venues.
- Jiuta — Kyoto chamber music style; introspective, complex.
The Koto
The koto is a horizontal zither approximately 180 cm long, made from paulownia wood, with 13 silk (now nylon) strings stretched over movable bridges (ji). Players wear small picks (tsume) on three fingers of the right hand to pluck; the left hand presses strings beyond the bridge to bend pitch and add expression.
Originally an instrument of the Heian imperial court (gakuso), the koto was democratized in the 17th century by blind musician Yatsuhashi Kengyo, who created a new popular tuning and composed pieces that remain in the standard repertoire. The most recognizable koto piece — Rokudan no Shirabe (Six-Stage Melody) — is still performed today and is recognizable worldwide.
Contemporary koto players including Sawai Kazue and Michio Miyagi extended the instrument to 17 and 20 strings, enabling richer harmonics for modern compositions.
Where to Hear Traditional Music
- National Theatre (Hanzomon, Tokyo) — regular hogaku programs featuring shamisen, koto, and shakuhachi ensembles. Ticket ¥2,000–7,000. English program notes available.
- Gion Corner (Kyoto) — one-hour evening performances combining seven traditional arts including koto, bunraku, tea ceremony, and maiko dance. ¥3,500. Year-round.
- Tsugaru Shamisen Competitions (Aomori) — the annual national competition at Hirosaki draws top players from across Japan; audience tickets available. August–September.
- Tokyo Traditional Concerts — Tokyo Opera City, Suntory Hall, and Bunkamura occasionally feature hogaku programs; check schedules seasonally.
Taking Lessons
Koto and shamisen lessons for tourists and residents are available through cultural centers in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. A single introductory lesson (60 min, ¥3,000–5,000) teaches basic posture, picking technique, and the opening bars of a simple piece. Schools: Ikuta-ryu Koto School (Tokyo and Kyoto); Yamada-ryu Koto School (Tokyo). Several music schools in Asakusa and Ueno offer shamisen trial lessons in English.