Some years ago, I spent the night in a remote ryokan (旅館) after a long trek through the mountains. As I was soaking in the bath tub, I heard someone playing the shamisen ( 三味線), a traditional Japanese 3-string lute. The forlorn melody filled me with memories of heartbreak for hours on end.
The next day, I ask the landlord about the music and requested to meet the musician. But she said that there wasn’t any performance and that I was the only visitor for the night. Wide-eyed, I hurried my check-out and left the ryokan, never to return .
Origins Story
Shamichoro is a tsukumogami yokai-type that evolves from an abandoned musical instrument known as the shamisen. As this yokai is usually heard, and rarely seen, there are very few accounts that chronicles its existence, and even less records about its behaviour and origins.
Many experts agree that shamichoro emerges from a prized shamisen that once belonged to a virtuoso. Some believed that the musician’s sudden death, fills the lute with extreme sadness. Others share that the shamisen was rejected for a newer or more exquisite model. But everyone agrees that the continual negligence and ignorance, over a hundred years, is the key for a shamichoro‘s evolution.
The yokai is essentially benign and does not cause direct harm towards human. It’s melody, usually, just reminds you of your saddest memories. But if you are feeling really low and suicidal, the song of the shamichoro may just be enough to push you over to the other side.
Yokai Details
- name: shamichoro (sha-mee-cho-roh)
- kanji: 三味長老 (しゃみちょうろう)
- meaning: senior shamisen
- abilities:
- sonic flight — uses music and sound to levitate
- emotion control — able to make one extremely sad and emotional
