絃げん

noun

string (of a shamisen, etc.)

Specifically refers to the string of a shamisen or similar traditional Japanese stringed instrument; the kanji 絃 is used for this musical context, while 弦 is more general.

See also: 弦 (げん)

• 三味線しゃみせんの絃げんが切きれたので、新あたらしいのを張はった。

  The shamisen string broke, so I put on a new one.

noun

stringed instrument

Metonymic use: the string stands for the whole instrument. Rare and mostly found in poetic or traditional contexts.

• 彼かれは絃げんを手てに取とり、静しずかに弾ひき始はじめた。

  He picked up the stringed instrument and began to play quietly.