On this special holiday episode of The One Piece Podcast we celebrate the art of the shamisen in One Piece and beyond! Joining host Zach and contributor Brodsky is Kirsten Carey (vocalist and guitarist for Throwaway, and writer at The Mary Sue, Polygon and many others) who discusses her history and experience with the shamisen.

We discuss the history of the shamisen and its use in the Wano Country arc of One Piece.

Links and videos mentioned in this episode:

• Kirsten’s Sensei: https://www.youtube.com/@shamisentv4327 & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rizcMv3vKA4
• Tsugaru Jongara Bushi (the second half of Black Maria's song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VJfk0LY834
• Example of bunraku performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk_RZI1HFNk
• Examples of festival music: Awa Odori (Tokushima): https://youtu.be/A9dVUSwoxGI?si=YMMZdrFOk5fzT251&t=33
• Nebuta (Aomori City), visually referenced in anime: https://youtu.be/gdxwgRy-FSs?si=jSlWrn_GuyxLQYOs&t=1401
• Oiwake Bar & Pub in Asakusa Tokyo: https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/bars-and-pubs/oiwake
• Those Snow White Notes: https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GEXH3W5X4/those-snow-white-notes
• Yakuza: Like a Dragon Producer on One Piece’s influence: https://www.ign.com/articles/yakuza-like-a-dragon-producer-says-the-game-was-really-really-inspired-by-one-piece
• The Shamisenists: https://www.instagram.com/theshamisenists_japan/

This week’s episode is edited by Zach!

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Happy Shamolidays and a Happy Shamew Year!