The shamisen (or samisen/sangen) is a traditional three-stringed Japanese plucked instrument, similar in concept to a banjo or guitar, featuring a long neck and a drum-like body covered in skin (or synthetic material). Played with a large plectrum called a bachi, it produces both percussive and melodic sounds
I saw this man playing in Buchanan Street Glasgow,he had his suit case beside him,perhaps a bit of busking before moving on to his final destination.