My hobby :)

 This is my first blog post and I will introduce the Tsugaru Syamisen to you as a Japanese culture that I would like to recommend. Tsugaru syamisen is the one kind of syamisen that evolved in Tsugaru region in Aomori prefecture(where I am from). I started to learn tsugaru syamisen when I was a fifth grade, because I wanted to start something new and to learn Japanese culture so that I can introduce it to people when I go to the overseas( I wanted to go study abroad since then).

 This is my syamisen. It has three nylon strings and most of the parts of it is made of a wood. Syamisen player uses the pick that is called bachi to play. Nowadays, syamisen players accompany Aomori folk song singers on the syamisen, not only that, players get together and play it as the pairs or the groups.

 Long time ago, syamisen was for the blind people. They play it in front of the house and get food or money. According to the book called An Introduction to Tsugaru Studies in Japanese and English, blind people's lives were very harsh, so they need to cultivate their syamisen skills to attract people and stay alive( Kitahara&Sawada, 2008).

(Bachi)

  There are several differences between normal syamisen and tsugaru syamisen. Tsugaru syamisen is bigger and heavier. Tsugaru syamisen player often put this ornament on syamisen. It is called dougake and the pattern is called tsugaru nuri, traditional craft in Tsugaru region.

 

I like this instrument, because the sound really represents how harsh the cold winter in Aomori is and other seasonal scenes. 

Hopefully, you can feel it by this video clip. This was taken when I went to Tokyo with my syamisen group to introduce Aomori in 2008. I am in the left side of back row, so you might not be able to recognize me.