Meaning & use
samisen
Last updated
A traditional Japanese three-stringed musical instrument with a long neck and a small drum-like body, played with a plectrum.
See it in a sentence
A samisen player accompanied the dancer's movements with a lively melody.
The samisen's twangy tone is instantly recognizable in traditional Japanese theater music.
A note on using this word
Also spelled shamisen; the instrument's body was traditionally covered with animal skin, though synthetic materials are now common.
Words with a similar meaning
shamisen
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