Japanese Dance Props Dance Used by female Tayu (narrator/performer) Since a real shamisen is heavy and difficult to practice with, this was made by a skilled person. It's very convenient for practice, recitals, etc. In the old days, when people went around performing, they would wrap the shamisen body in bleached cotton cloth to keep it from getting dirty. It's also good for concealing the body, which is made of cardboard, so it's wrapped in bleached cotton cloth. Thank you for looking.