A traditional Japanese three-stringed plucked instrument (shamisen), played with a pick and used in folk songs, narrative music, kabuki, etc.
祖母は若い頃に三味線を弾いていた。
My grandmother used to play the shamisen when she was young.
祭りで三味線の伴奏に合わせて踊った。
We danced to the accompaniment of the shamisen at the festival.
三味線の教室に通って基礎を学んでいる。
I'm taking shamisen lessons to learn the basics.