Originally Posted by
LapLap
I've always found it curious that the unwieldy plectrums used on traditional Japanese stringed instruments are uncannily similar to the slicing implements indigenous Alaskans use.
You mean shamisen and biwa plectrums? Koto plectrums aren't so unwieldy.
Shamisen entered Japan from China by way of Okinawa, so I imagine that any resemblance between plectrums and Alaskan cutting implements would be coincidental. Maybe they both derive from the shape of an animal bone. That's my best guess.
EDIT: Apparently, the Biwa descends from the Arabic oud and reached Japan by way of China. Wikipedia says the plectrums are big because Samurai wanted them to double as weapons. Deadly biwa, indeed!