The K Experience

Music, a big thing all around the world, but in different ways. The Shamisen was never something I thought I would see on the streets, but I guess that was only because I had never been to Japan...

Nakayama San was a shamisen busker and teacher who used to play in the underground pathways of Takaoka station. I don't remember the first time I heard the sound of his shamisen echoing through the tunnels of the walkway, but I do remember thinking how bizarre it was to hear such a sound.

The shamisen is a 3 stringed guitar like instrument with no frets, that is played with a large plectrum. It's a very traditional Japanese instrument being played since the 16th century.

 

It had never occurred to me that someone would busk with a shamisen. I don't know why I thought this. Having passed through the subways of the London tube systems regularly for many years, I had heard all sorts of instruments, from violins, to accordions, to bongos to the two note fiddle (played by the blind, wheel chair guy on Oxford Street). I had also heard the beautiful tones of the sax being played in the streets of Manhattan, so I should have been used to any instrument being played.

But the shamisen was such traditional Japanese instrument. To me it was like someone playing a harpsichord in the streets of London. Maybe it was just that the sound of the shamisen was so unfamiliar to me.

Nakayama San became a good friend during my time in Takaoka. He even took me and some friend out to lunch where he showed us the Peace Bell, which is a huge bell that overlooks Takaoka City. I also got to meet one of his students who I found busking in Nakayama San's place one day. 

On my last day in Toyama, before I left Japan for good, Nakayama San bestowed on me probably the best farewell present I could ever wish for. While waiting for my night bus to Tokyo, some friends came to see me off. To my surprise, Nakayama sensei came along too with his shamisen students. They had brought their shamisens along with them, and had decided to play me a farewell song, in front of all my other friends, and all the other people waiting for the Tokyo night bus. The following is the video of it.

After a truly amazing, and eventfull 12 months in Takaoka, I could not have wished for a better ending. Thank you so much Nakayama San.

[Source: Picture of shamisen from kotosandmore.com]

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