Shamisens Collection

The house of Kinpeiro in New Yoshiwara
2909866 The house of Kinpeiro in New Yoshiwara; (add.info.: The house of Kinpeiro in New Yoshiwara. Print shows several women, in a large room, playing shamisens and a koto)

Japan - Musical Instrument Shop - Shamisens
Musical Instrument Shop, Japan. Note the selection of Shamisens in the window. Date: circa 1920s

A Banquet in a Pleasure House on the Bank of the Okawa (Okawa bata giro jo no yusen), c. 1792

Pleasures of the Seasons, c. 1700. Creator: Hishikawa Morohira
Pleasures of the Seasons, c. 1700. People enjoying a day out among blossoming cherry trees

A Parody of Yuranosuke in the Pleasure Quarters... late 18th-early 19th century. Creator: Hosoda Eishi
A Parody of Yuranosuke in the Pleasure Quarters (Mitate Yuranosuke yukyo), late 18th-early 19th century

Drums and Shamisen, Japan, n. d. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Drums and Shamisen, Japan, n.d

Chinese Beauties at a Banquet, Japan, 1788 / 90. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Chinese Beauties at a Banquet, Japan, 1788/90

An Impossible Feat by Imaginary Men, no. 8 from a series of 12 prints, c. 1708

Hotei Reading a Book, no. 11 from a series of 12 prints, c. 1708

The Soga Festival, c. 1768. Creator: Torii Kiyomitsu
The Soga Festival, c. 1768

The Eighth Month, from the series "Twelve Months in the South (Minami juni ko)"
The Eighth Month, from the series " Twelve Months in the South (Minami juni ko)", c. 1784

The Fourth Month, from the series "Twelve Months in the South (Minami juni ko)"
The Fourth Month, from the series " Twelve Months in the South (Minami juni ko)", c. 1784

Act 7 (Shichidanme), from the series "The Revenge of the Loyal Retainers (Chushingura)", c. 1834/39. Kuranosuke attends a banquet at Ichiriki-ya, a teahouse served by courtesans

An American Mercantile Building in Yokohama (Yokohama ijin shokan no zu), 1861

Koto (Kin), from an untitled series of the four accomplishments, c. 1772 / 75
Koto (Kin), from an untitled series of the four accomplishments, c. 1772/75

Woman playing shamisen, from an untitled series of women at leisure, c. 1795 / 1800
Woman playing shamisen, from an untitled series of women at leisure, c. 1795/1800

The Four Seasons in the South (Minami Shiki): Summer Scene, n. d
The Four Seasons in the South (Minami Shiki): Summer Scene, n.d

Evening party at Shinagawa, c. 1790. Creator: Utagawa Toyokuni I
Evening party at Shinagawa, c. 1790

Interior View, ca. 1788. Creator: Katsukawa Shuncho
Interior View, ca. 1788

A Merry Evening Party, ca. 1805. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
A Merry Evening Party, ca. 1805

A Young Woman with a Tray of Sweetmeats, 1780-1795. Creator: Katsukawa Shuncho
A Young Woman with a Tray of Sweetmeats, 1780-1795

A Picnic Party at Hagidera, late 18th-early 19th century. Creator: Katsukawa Shuncho
A Picnic Party at Hagidera, late 18th-early 19th century

Two Young Men and Several Women Dining at a Tea-house on the Bank of the Sumida River, ca. 1788

Two Tori-oi, or Itinerant Women Musicians of the Eta Class, late 18th-early 19th century

An amusement resort at the seashore, late 18th-early 19th century. Creator: Hokusai
An amusement resort at the seashore, late 18th-early 19th century

Street musicians, Japan, 1860 s, shamisens Vintage late 19th century photograph

Women Playing Music, 19th century. Creator: Yanagawa Shigenobu
Women Playing Music, 19th century

A Party of Geisha in a Suzumi-bune, i. e. "cooling-off boat
A Party of Geisha in a Suzumi-bune, i.e. " cooling-off boat." (Second Scene of a Boating Party), ca. 1796

Two Geisha, ca. 1792. Creator: Hosoda Eishi
Two Geisha, ca. 1792

Shamisen, Plectrum and a Book. Creator: Hosoda Eishi
Shamisen, Plectrum and a Book

Japan - Female Japanese musical group and dancers. Date: circa 1905

The Geisha by Owen Hall
Promotional postcard of The Geisha by Owen Hall; music Sidney Jones produced by George Edwardes. First produced at Dalys Theatre, London 25th April 1896

Three girls playing shamisens, a Japanese musical instrument
An ascending scale: three Japanese girls of difference sizes wear traditional costume and play their shamisens(a musical instrument with three strings, also written samisen)

1797-1858 1833 1836 Ando Futagawa Hiroshige Road
Futagawa, Andō, Hiroshige, 1797-1858, artist, [between 1833 and 1836, printed later], 1 print : woodcut, color. Print shows three traveling musicians with their shamisens approaching a rest stop near

Moronobu utsushi torioi zu, A copy of Hishikawa Moronobus Design of musicians. [between 1811 and 1830], 1 print : woodcut, color; 13.8 x 18.5 cm

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Shamisens: The Soulful Melodies of Japan's Musical Instrument Shop Step into the enchanting world of shamisens, a traditional Japanese musical instrument that has captivated hearts for centuries. These three-stringed wonders have been an integral part of Japan's rich cultural heritage, and their timeless melodies continue to resonate with music lovers around the globe. Intricately crafted and exquisitely designed they can be found in every corner of Japan's musical instrument shops. Their slender bodies and delicate strings produce a distinct sound that transports listeners to another era. As you explore these stores, you'll discover an array of shamisen variations - from classic models adorned with intricate artwork to modern interpretations featuring sleek designs. The influence extends beyond just music; they have also inspired renowned artists throughout history. Take Hishikawa Morohira's masterpiece "A Banquet in a Pleasure House on the Bank of the Okawa, " where elegantly dressed geishas strum their shamisens amidst a vibrant celebration. This painting captures not only the beauty but also the joyous spirit associated with this beloved instrument. Another artist who embraced the allure was Hosoda Eishi, whose work "A Parody of Yuranosuke in the Pleasure Quarters" showcases geishas entertaining guests with their mesmerizing performances. The harmonious blend between musicians playing drums and those skillfully handling their shamisens creates an atmosphere filled with rhythm and grace. Kitagawa Utamaro, known for his exquisite ukiyo-e prints, immortalized Chinese beauties enjoying a banquet accompanied by melodious strains from shamisen players in his work "Chinese Beauties at a Banquet. " Here we witness how this versatile instrument transcends borders and cultures as it enchants all who listen. But it is not just within artistic representations that we find evidence of its impact.