Bonsai Exhibition

We were lucky to enjoy another warm and sunny day at this year’s Bonsai Exhibition in Troon. Our group performed a selection of Japanese music with shamisen and koto. We had spent time preparing a range of pieces especially for the event including traditional songs and folk songs. It was great fun performing together and sharing the sound of traditional Japanese instruments with everyone who came along.

♪Playing Techniques and Basic Features

Press point as a rough

















① Left-Hands Techniques
Three strings and no frets.
Press point each numbers with your first three fingers.
Find a tone on a string useing your fingers and ear. If your fingers move 5mm eitherway from the point, you would be off key.
Finding a tone with your fingers is one of a pleasures of playing Shamisen.


② Right-Hand Techniques
The body is leathered on both side. Striking a string downward with a big plectrum.
You strike a string and touch the skin at same time with a plectrum. And strinking the sound through to the other side of the body.
Making a good sound like this is one of a pleasures of playing Shamisen.