noun
slip-guard (shamisen)
A protective guard attached to one side of a shamisen's body to prevent damage from the plectrum. Domain-specific term for shamisen players and makers.
See also: 胴掛け
三味線の胴当てがすり減ってきたので、新しいものに交換した。
The slip-guard on my shamisen has worn down, so I replaced it with a new one.
胴掛け is a cloth cover placed over the body of a shamisen for protection, while 胴当て is a slip-guard attached to one side to protect against plectrum strikes.
Compound of 胴 (どう, 'body, torso') and 当て (あて, 'guard, pad'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term transparently describes its function as a body guard for the shamisen.