Good posture is beneficial for unlocking your full potential, but it’s not a requirement for having fun with shamisen. If you’ve had a long day at work and just want to enjoy the shamisen’s soothing sounds, feel free to kick back on the sofa and pluck away!

In fact, even using the bachi isn’t a requirement. If I’m playing in a reclined position, the angle is so unaligned that using a bachi is too cumbersome to enjoy. Instead, I put the bachi aside and strike the strings with my fingernail. It’s just as fun and I can enjoy a light percussive snap on the skin!