The shamisen consists of several parts. The following diagram illustrates some of the major parts.
SHAMISEN PARTS GLOSSARY
Bachi - plectrum
Bachi-kawa - protects skins from bachi
Dou - wooden body of shamisen covered by synthetic or natural skins
Itomaki - pegs
Ito - strings
Kami-goma - Small "bridge" of metal at the top of the shamisen
Koma - bridge, can be plastic or natural material
Nakago-saki - Peg on bottom of dou for attaching neo
Neo - string retainer
Sao - neck of shamisen, may be one solid piece or 3 pieces
Tenjin - "head" of shamisen, covered by a cap during practice
Yubisuri - cloth that goes over fingers to aid in moving up and down sao
