shamisen
noun
sham·i·sen
ˈsha-mə-ˌsen 
variants
or less commonly samisen
: a 3-stringed Japanese musical instrument resembling a banjo
Examples of shamisen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Each show will be enhanced with live bands and taiko (classic Japanese drumming) and shamisen (a three-stringed traditional instrument) performances.
—
Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
On a separate platform to the right of the action, three male chanters sit in a neat row, next to men playing the shamisen, a stringed instrument with a raw and piercing tone which is often used in vocal accompaniment.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Vibrant paper lanterns line the streets, and the sounds of shamisen music echo from a nearby tea house.
—Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Anju Madoka will perform on the shamisen — a three-stringed Japanese instrument — and sing and explain traditional Japanese folk songs.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024
Locals pulled out all the stops, with hands-on ikebana, gagaku (imperial court music) by the sea at Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine, and a shamisen and classical dance recital in a former cartographer's residence.
—Kate Crockett, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2023
The Hu blends the sounds of horsehead fiddle with electric guitars and drums; in Japan, Wagakki Band incorporates the traditional three-stringed shamisen into its blend of heavy rock.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 20 Oct. 2022
The music is grand and has an anthemic quality to it, and the composers include instruments that are seldom used in games, especially indie titles like this one, like the shamisen and saxophone.
—Jonathan Peltz, Wired, 7 Apr. 2021
His parents ran an establishment where women entertained guests by playing classical Japanese instruments like the three-stringed shamisen.
—Suryatapa Bhattacharya, WSJ, 8 Oct. 2020
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Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
On a separate platform to the right of the action, three male chanters sit in a neat row, next to men playing the shamisen, a stringed instrument with a raw and piercing tone which is often used in vocal accompaniment.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Vibrant paper lanterns line the streets, and the sounds of shamisen music echo from a nearby tea house.
—Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Anju Madoka will perform on the shamisen — a three-stringed Japanese instrument — and sing and explain traditional Japanese folk songs.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024
Locals pulled out all the stops, with hands-on ikebana, gagaku (imperial court music) by the sea at Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine, and a shamisen and classical dance recital in a former cartographer's residence.
—Kate Crockett, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2023
The Hu blends the sounds of horsehead fiddle with electric guitars and drums; in Japan, Wagakki Band incorporates the traditional three-stringed shamisen into its blend of heavy rock.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 20 Oct. 2022
The music is grand and has an anthemic quality to it, and the composers include instruments that are seldom used in games, especially indie titles like this one, like the shamisen and saxophone.
—Jonathan Peltz, Wired, 7 Apr. 2021
His parents ran an establishment where women entertained guests by playing classical Japanese instruments like the three-stringed shamisen.
—Suryatapa Bhattacharya, WSJ, 8 Oct. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Shamisen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shamisen. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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