Traditional dance event in Toyama

Traditional dance event in Toyama

TOYAMA, Japan - People dance to the sound of instruments including the ''kokyu,'' a traditional Japanese fiddle that originated in China, and the ''shamisen,'' a three-stringed Japanese instrument played with a plectrum, on Sept. 1, 2011, during the traditional ''Owarakazenobon'' dance event held annually during the typhoon season in the city of Toyama to pray for good harvests. The event will continue through Sept. 3.

Traditional dance event in Toyama

Traditional dance event in Toyama

TOYAMA, Japan - Women dance to the sound of instruments including the ''kokyu,'' a traditional Japanese fiddle that originated in China, and the ''shamisen,'' a three-stringed Japanese instrument played with a plectrum, on Sept. 1, 2011, during the traditional ''Owarakazenobon'' dance event held annually during the typhoon season in the city of Toyama to pray for good harvests. The event will continue through Sept. 3.

Women singing and playing the shamisen,a japanese balalaika

Women singing and playing the shamisen,a japanese balalaika

A scene of two young women wearing Tayu-style kamishimo while practicing singing and shamisen. One woman checks the book placed on the book stand with a family emblem and tassel, and the other woman plays the shamisen with a plectrum to tune the instrument.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number16‐8‐0]

A mother and her daughter holding shamisens

A mother and her daughter holding shamisens

A mother is holding a shamisen lute vertically in one hand and a plectrum in the other. Her daughter is sitting with her hands inside her sleeves. A lesson book is open, and a tobacco tray lies on the mat. A scroll is hanging on the wall behind. The setting is artificial.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:Usui Shuzaburo, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number94‐26‐0]

Shamisen and tsutsumi ensemble

Shamisen and tsutsumi ensemble

Three young women play shamisen lute and a drum in a practice room. The shamisen lute is played with a large plectrum and the drum with wooden sticks.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:R. Stillfried, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number78‐58‐0]

A woman playing the gekkin (a stringed instrament of Chinese origin)

A woman playing the gekkin (a stringed instrament of Chinese origin)

The word gekkin (moon koto) originates from the shape of the full moon and the sound similar to that of the koto. It is a Chinese string instrument that appeared in the Sung dynasty. It was introduced to Japan during the Edo era and gained popularity during the Meiji era. The instrument is played by plucking the strings with a plectrum.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:A. Farsari, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number18‐5‐0]

Traditional dance event in Toyama

Traditional dance event in Toyama

TOYAMA, Japan - People dance to the sound of instruments including the ''kokyu,'' a traditional Japanese fiddle that originated in China, and the ''shamisen,'' a three-stringed Japanese instrument played with a plectrum, on Sept. 1, 2011, during the traditional ''Owarakazenobon'' dance event held annually during the typhoon season in the city of Toyama to pray for good harvests. The event will continue through Sept. 3. (Kyodo)

Traditional dance event in Toyama

Traditional dance event in Toyama

TOYAMA, Japan - Women dance to the sound of instruments including the ''kokyu,'' a traditional Japanese fiddle that originated in China, and the ''shamisen,'' a three-stringed Japanese instrument played with a plectrum, on Sept. 1, 2011, during the traditional ''Owarakazenobon'' dance event held annually during the typhoon season in the city of Toyama to pray for good harvests. The event will continue through Sept. 3. (Kyodo)