Kawahari (Skin Replacement)

It is said that 80% of the shamisen’s sound quality is determined by the skin. A professional skin replacement is a significant way for bringing out the wide range of tones that comes from a shamisen. Thus, if your shamisen is not sounding as vibrant as it used to, or if it’s ruptured, it may be time for a new skin.

Why does a skin rupture?

• Change in Environment: In warm, dry climates, the skin tightens. In cool, wet climates, the skin loosens. The skin weakens if exposed to these two climates frequently.
  
  
• Force on Skin (1): To get the percussive sound required for the tsugaru aesthetic, the bachi (plectrum) strikes the skin hard. Though tsugaru shamisen uses thicker skin to withstand the impact, regular sessions of heavy bachi strikes will take it’s toll on the skin.
• Force on Skin (2): When not in use, leaving the koma (bridge) under the tightened strings puts unnecessary pressure on the skin. Thus, remove the koma after every playing session.

Watch how to properly care for the skin.

Repairs in Japan

Sending your shamisen to be repaired in Japan can be very difficult and worrisome. At Bachido, we will help you arrange your shamisen to be professionally skinned in Japan. Easy, and all in English!

For arranging a skin replacement, please contact: store (at) bachido (dot) com

Skin Options

Natural Skin

Currently, all professional Shamisen are skinned with dog or cat skin. This natural skin provides a very responsive, sharp tone associated with the standard shamisen. If you seek the “legit” tone of a Japanese shamisen, this is what you’ll want.

While natural skin provides a very responsive sound, some players feel uneasy about the natural material, and prefer a synthetic material. For this, Bachido proudly offers the brand new FiberSen synthetic skin!

FiberSen (New!)

Designed by Masahiro Nitta, FiberSen is a synthetic material different from regular plastic skin used for shamisen (which is created by layers of film). FiberSen can be stretched much farther than regular plastic skin, and so produces a much sharper, louder and brighter sound. Unlike plastic skin (which sounds like plastic), FiberSen skin sounds very similar to natural skin.

Watch Shamisen skinned with FiberSen.

Professional Skinning Rates

Please add ¥8,000 to the cost for return shipping.

Synthetic Skin (FiberSen) Available for all Shamisen styles One Side: ¥20000 Two Sides: ¥30000

Natural Skin (One Side)

Special: Two sides for Tsugaru (Standard): 30,000 yen

Tsugaru (Dog) Standard: ¥27000 Sound quality: Good Skin quality: Average Higher quality: ¥35000 Sound quality: High Skin quality: Above-average Premium: ¥40000 Sound quality: Best Skin quality: Premium Tension level: Your choice

Jiuta/Nagauta (Dog) Standard: ¥20000 Sound quality: Good Skin quality: Average Higher quality: ¥30000 Sound quality: High Skin quality: Above-average Premium: ¥40000 Sound quality: Best Skin quality: Premium Tension level: Your choice

Jiuta/Nagauta (Cat) Standard: ¥30000 Sound quality: Good Skin quality: Average Higher quality: ¥40000 Sound quality: High Skin quality: Above-average Premium: ¥50000 Sound quality: Best Skin quality: Premium Tension level: Your choice

Calf Skin Option

Need a more affordable skinning option, or feel uncomfortable about the material? Bachido member Jessica Dowd offers her services to skin shamisen with calf skin. A perfect option if you need your broken skin fixed in a jiffy!