I would like this blog to be understood as a kind of gateway to the Shamisen. In addition to telling you about my experiences, I also want to let you know, in a more enjoyable way, the benefits of the instrument and bring you a little closer to the passion I feel for it.
To do so, this week, I will talk about the animated film Nitaboh.
It was released in 2004 and without being a masterpiece of anime, it has some very interesting things that make it worth recommending.
The film tells the life of Nitarou, the creator of the Tsugaru style. A style characterized by the vigor, technique and improvisation of the performer.
Without going into the details of what happens in the film, I would like to talk about how he explains them and what makes it so immersive and interesting.
The film takes place at the end of the 19th century in Aomori Prefecture, located in northern Japan. The most rural landscapes of the village of Tsugaru become the protagonists to show us their customs and their pure nature, with Mount Iwaki, a key symbol in the birth of the Tsugaru Shamisen.
In my opinion, this is one of the most enjoyable points of the film, its setting. It perfectly reflects how people lived at that time, representing their different social classes and idiosyncrasies. The nobles, with an affluent life and the working class (fishermen, ranchers …) suffering and working hard to put something in their mouths. The protagonist and his family are part of the latter.
All these images, as it could not be otherwise, are accompanied by an excellent soundtrack composed by Makoto Kuriya. Some orchestrated pieces are reminiscent of the great Joe Hisaishi, author of most of Studio Ghibli’s soundtracks. Of course, when the shamisen appears, it takes center stage.
Performed by one of the best today’s artists, Hiromitsu Agatsuma delights us with the most important pieces of the Tsugaru style: Yosare, Aiya and Jongara bushi.
The sound of the shamisen is key in the film and little by little shows us its evolution. From the classic nagauta style (long sung song) through the classical pieces performed by the blind monks of the Toudouza clan and culminating with Nitarou’s Tsugaru shamisen style.
One of the sections that I like the most in the film is how it shows the evolution of Nitarou. Specifically the learning process and the journey he undertakes to master the instrument, narrated in a very poetic but at the same time real way.
I felt myself reflected in many scenes (especially during the second half) and surely, if you also play the shamisen, you will understand what I am talking about.
There are certain aspects of the three strings that are very difficult to explain in words. The shamisen requires all our energy, concentration and inner peace to be played correctly and that is something that is told very well in this movie.
As you can see, I have hardly gone into detail. I would like you to discover it for yourself and enjoy it from beginning to end. For musicians and Japan lovers alike, it is a highly recommended film that will undoubtedly make you discover a part of Japanese culture that is largely unknown.
At this point, I can only add one thing and that is to highlight its great final part where the shamisen is shown in all its splendor and manages to convey its most authentic and original essence.
I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think, see you next week!
Jose