I lived in Japan for 10 years

[The Polack MSgt]

Well, more accurately I was stationed in Japan for 10 years. That is more like living in a small American Town in the middle of Japan

Anyway, this time of year through the New Year's week there are specials on TV and performances in public areas for the holidays many featuring the Samisen, a 3 string Banjo. It is an incredibly bad ass instrument.

Here is a traditional arrangement

And here are some players taking on the Ventures' Surf Rock

[mitch96]

1. That thing is WAY cool!!

Loved their cover of Wipe Out!!! Can you imagine a samisen used in a bluegrass song? Or the banjo duel from Deliverance??? What a hoot!!
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[The Polack MSgt]

2. Also available with Taiko

[The Polack MSgt]

3. Ok, last one - The Yoshida brothers are probably the closest

Thing tp superstars that traditional music has in Japan

This is their variation of Old School (like 800 years old school) mixed with some Rolling Stones riffs

[mitch96]

4. That's some industrial sized finger pick they got there!!! nt