The shamisen is a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument derived from the Chinese instrument sanxian. The instrument is used to accompany kabuki, a classical form of Japanese dance-drama. The construction of the shamisen varies in shape depending on what genre is used for and is played with a bachi (plectrum) that is also of different sizes, shapes, and materials. Oshogatsu is the most important holiday in Japan and Japanese communities and families around the world celebrated since 1873 with traditional foods like ozoni, toshi-koshi soba, and osechi-ryori.
Slideshows, Video, Travel Photography Fine Art Prints