三味

Etymology 1
Shortening of.

First attested in 1722.

Noun

 * 1)   a shamisen: a Japanese stringed instrument played by plucking, vaguely similar to a banjo

Etymology 2
Shortening of.

This reading appears to be less common than shami.

First attested in 1677.

Noun

 * 1)   a samisen: a Japanese stringed instrument played by plucking, vaguely similar to a banjo