The shamisen is a traditional Japanese three stringed instrument played with a bachi. 

A Very Brief History of the Tsugaru Shamisen

The shamisen was adapted from a Chinese instrument called the sanxian, that came to Japan through Okinawa. It was only in the late 19th century that it developed into what it is now. In northern Japan it was played in the street by blind musicians. This is why the Tsugaru shamisen was adapted to be louder and more percussive than other versions of the instrument, such as the ones played by geishas and in kabuki theatre.