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THE BLIND WITH SHAMISEN AT HANDS

  Now shamisen is regarded one of the most popular music 
instrument but it was originally jabisen(lute used skin of 
snake) of Ryukyu(now Okinawa) which was introduced at the 
end of Muromachi period.
  Like various commodities brought over the sea, jabisen 
shoud arrived the Sakai port, most flourished town of the 
day and waited buyers(and players).
  Those who became interested in such a new foreign music 
culture at first were feudal loads becoming wealthy and men
of culture protected by loads, besides blind persons also 
got in touch with it fairly soon.
  As Sakai town prospered, many biwa hoshi might came in 
there.
  They know how to play string instruments using bachi(
pectrum)so it might be easier for them to get used to 
jabisen.
  The atmosphere seeking something new in port town would be
suitabl for them to cast off attachment for biwa without 
much ago.
  The choice of the blind changed drastically the course of 
main stream of popular Japanese music afterwards. 

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