糸いと爪づめ

noun

groove worn into a shamisen player's fingernail

A physical groove that forms on the fingernail from repeated friction against the shamisen string. Specific to shamisen technique; compare 糸道 (いとみち), which can refer to the string path or the groove itself.

See also: 糸道 (いとみち)

• 長なが年ねん三味線しゃみせんを弾ひいていると、左ひだり手ての爪つめに糸いと爪づめができる。

  When you play the shamisen for many years, a groove called 糸爪 forms on the fingernail of your left hand.