三味線

Japanese

Kanji in this term
三	味	線

Etymology

The instrument was introduced to mainland Japan from Okinawa, where it is known as the 三線 (sanshin), or as the 蛇皮線 (jabisen): 蛇皮 (snakeskin) + 線 (string). The mainland Japanese term comes from this latter Okinawan term, with jabisen becoming shamisen (or alternately samisen). The 味 kanji is used as an ateji.

Noun

三味線 (hiragana しゃみせん, romaji shamisen)
三味線 (hiragana さみせん, romaji samisen) (rare)

1. (music) A shamisen; a Japanese three-stringed lute

See also

• 三絃, 三弦

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Mandarin

simplified	三味线
traditional	三味線

Noun

三味線 (traditional, Pinyin sānwèixiàn, simplified 三味线)

1. shamisen

See also

• 三弦