Shamisen Collection (page 3)

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 Eighth Month (Hachi gatsu), from the series "Fashionable Twelve Months (Furyu)
The Eighth Month (Hachi gatsu), from the series " Fashionable Twelve Months (Furyu junikagetsu)", c. 1793

The Young Monkey Showman (Wakashu sarumawashi), n. d. Creator: Utagawa Toyokuni I
The Young Monkey Showman (Wakashu sarumawashi), n.d

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

Shamisen and Box, 1860s. Creator: Yabu Chosui
Shamisen and Box, 1860s

Woman with Shamisen and Cat, c. 1820s. Creator: Gakutei
Woman with Shamisen and Cat, c. 1820s

No. 1 (Sono ichi), from the triptych "Three Musical Instruments (Sankyoku)", c
No. 1 (Sono ichi), from the triptych " Three Musical Instruments (Sankyoku)", c. 1825

Snake, from the series "Fashionable Twelve Signs of the Zodiac (Furyu juni shi)"
Snake, from the series " Fashionable Twelve Signs of the Zodiac (Furyu juni shi)", c. 1770/72

Musicians from Tamaya Yahachi and hobby-horse dancers from Daimon Fujiya... c. 1776 / 81
Musicians from Tamaya Yahachi and hobby-horse dancers from Daimon Fujiya, from the series " Comic Performances by the Entertainers of the Pleasure Quarters at the Niwaka Festival

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

Seeing a Performance, 1789. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro
Seeing a Performance, 1789

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

Bachi (Plectrum) Used in Playing Shamisen, 19th century. Creator: Kubo Shunman
Bachi (Plectrum) Used in Playing Shamisen, 19th century

Gaiety in a riverside tea-house, Edo period, 18th century. Creator: Unknown
Gaiety in a riverside tea-house, Edo period, 18th century

Tuning the Samisen, late 18th-early 19th century. Creator: Hokusai
Tuning the Samisen, late 18th-early 19th century

Utai no Shisho, Edo period, early-mid 19th century. Creator: Numata Gessai
Utai no Shisho, Edo period, early-mid 19th century

Shamisen Player, Edo period, late 18th-early 19th century. Creator: Kitagawa Utamaro II
Shamisen Player, Edo period, 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

Woman with back to observer playing samisen, late 18th-early 19th century

Two sketches: lady playing samisen and lady with back to observer looks between open shoji, late 18th-early 19th century

c. 1880s Japan - two geishas, studio scene, shamisen and tea set
c.1880s Japan - two geishas, studio scene, shamisen and tea set

c. 1880s Japan - geishas, flowers and a shamisen
c.1880s Japan - geishas, flowers and a shamisen

1860s Japan - portrait of a street singer with a shamisen Felice or Felix Beato (1832 - 29 January 1909), Italian-British photographer working mostly in India, Japan, China

1860s Japan - portrait of a young woman musician with a shamisen Felice or Felix Beato (1832 - 29 January 1909), Italian-British photographer working mostly in India, Japan, China

c. 1880s Japan - geishas with musical instrments

Japanese ceremony, c. 1900
Japanese ceremony, c.1900 Vintage early 20th century photograph

c. 1880s Japan - musicians

c. 1880s Japan - geishas dancers musicians

c. 1880s Japan - musicians and dancers

c. 1880s Japan - geishas playing musical instruments
c.1880s Japan - geishas playing the shamisen and koto musical instruments

Wife of the elite samurai class relaxing
Wife of the elite samurai class reading books, with other women writing with a pen, one looking at ukiyo-e prints, and one folding paper. Another woman delivers reams of paper and ink

Japanese Musicians, c. 1860s (b / w photo)
495550 Japanese Musicians, c.1860s (b/w photo) by Beato, Felice (Felix) (1825-c.1908); Private Collection; (add.info.: The women on the right are playing the shamisen, a three-stringed)

La Guecha (engraving)
2788928 La Guecha (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: La Guecha. Illustration for Journal Des Voyages, 29 January 1893)

La Superstition Au Japon (engraving)
2783164 La Superstition Au Japon (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: La Superstition Au Japon)

The Chushingura drama parodied by famous beauties: Act 1, c. 1795 (colour woodblock print)
3071970 The Chushingura drama parodied by famous beauties: Act 1, c.1795 (colour woodblock print) by Utamaro, Kitagawa (1753-1806); 38.7x25.7 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

Interior scene of a party with geisha and clients, 1735-1814

Two girls standing, one holding an open book, 1615-1868. Creator: Kitao Shigemasa
Two girls standing, one holding an open book, 1615-1868

Woman, a baby and a young girl, 1726-1868. Creator: Shunsho
Woman, a baby and a young girl, 1726-1868

Geishas playing the shamisen and koto, Japan, circa 1880s. Date: circa 1880s

Sumida River Holiday, 1788-90. Creator: Torii Kiyonaga
Sumida River Holiday, 1788-90

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The shamisen, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, has found its way into the hearts and culture of Japan. Geishas gracefully strumming the strings of the shamisen create an enchanting melody that captivates all who listen. In this captivating image, a Japanese geisha delicately plays the shamisen, transporting us back to the early 1900s when this beautiful art form thrived. Stepping into a bustling musical instrument shop in Japan, one can witness rows of meticulously crafted shamisens waiting to be played by skilled musicians. The triptych woodblock print depicting cherry blossom entertainment showcases the harmonious blend between nature's beauty and melodic tunes produced by these instruments. Intriguing glimpses into Japanese history reveal fascinating scenes from centuries ago. A traditional woodblock print portrays a female musician playing her shamisen while three samurai intently listen. As they enjoy her performance, a kamuro gracefully brings food on a tray, adding an element of elegance to this moment frozen in time. Traveling further back in time to late 17th century Yoshiwara reveals another facet of life where street scenes come alive with music and merriment. Hishikawa Moronobu's depiction captures the essence of daily life as courtesans play their beloved shamisens amidst vibrant surroundings. The legacy of the shamisen lives on through generations as it continues to inspire artists and musicians alike. Its timeless charm resonates not only within Japan but also across borders, leaving an indelible mark on cultures worldwide.