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
On another, a shamisen and geisha performance by Asakusa Geisha segued to Japanese high-energy house sets by Tokyo music scene icons, TOWA TEI and Yuka Mizuhara (with a pop-up ramen bar to fuel the fun).
—
Terry Ward,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
The movie follows Kubo (Art Parkinson), a young storyteller who entertains his seaside village with tales brought to life by his magical shamisen, a Japanese string instrument.
—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Vibrant paper lanterns line the streets, and the sounds of shamisen music echo from a nearby tea house.
—
Natalie Stoclet,
Forbes,
9 Sep. 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
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Terry Ward,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
The movie follows Kubo (Art Parkinson), a young storyteller who entertains his seaside village with tales brought to life by his magical shamisen, a Japanese string instrument.
—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Vibrant paper lanterns line the streets, and the sounds of shamisen music echo from a nearby tea house.
—
Natalie Stoclet,
Forbes,
9 Sep. 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
Cite this Entry
“Shamisen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shamisen. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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