Japanese instruments such as the shakuhachi and the shamisen were also added. From the seventeenth century they often played the koto or the shamisen. It also features Taiko and Shamisen contests. The "shamisen" is a plucked stringed instrument. Morticia is musically inclined, and is often seen freely strumming a Japanese shamisen. Later, "kabuki" began incorporating other instruments like the "shamisen". "Narimono" is played by small percussion instruments besides the "shamisen". The chanters sit next to the shamisen player. She composed using Japanese themes, harmonies, and instruments (kotsuzumi, kakko, utai, tsugaru shamisen). Shintaro Katsu began his career in entertainment as a shamisen player. Aomori is well known for its tradition of Tsugaru-jamisen, a virtuosic style of "shamisen" playing. A closely related musical instrument is the Japanese "shamisen", which originated from the Chinese "sanxian". The popular folk music, with the guitar-like shamisen, dates from the 16th century. The Japanese "shamisen" originated from the Chinese instrument "sanxian" (). "Uta" is sung accompanied by a "shamisen".