Jabisen (Okinawan traditional three-stringed instrument)

Often played in geisha entertainment and elsewhere, the soundbox of the shamisen is generally made by stretching leather or, more traditionally, catskin over a frame. The instrument is an evolution of the sanshin, a name formed by kanji for snakeskin and string. Here we see a female player dressed in a plain kimono and a velvet haori. This jacket-like overgarment is derived from a male kimono. Rather than presenting the spectacular appearance of performers such as geisha, the haori is the preferred attire of experts in music or ikebana who aim to dazzle with their skills. This proud musician is achieving her own distinctive sound with a sanshin, whose higher tones resonate more strongly than notes from the more common shamisen. In the foreground, with Western carnations placed in an inlaid vase, Tei’i has further emphasized the player’s individuality.