When the skin is glued to the dou (body), extra skin is glued to the sides. On a tsugaru shamisen, the length of skin stuck to the sides is about 2.5cm long. On the other two shamisen, the extra skin is about 5mm long.

Nagauta means “long song” and began as several short songs strung together. Because it developed the most within the Kabuki theater in Edo, it is often called “Edo Nagauta”. As the chief instrument used in kabuki, it is played in a wide range of modes, including very slow, regular songs, but can also be played quite rapidly, employing a variety of accenting techniques. Nagauta bachi are traditionally made from ivory, but are more commonly made from wood or plastic.

Minyo is connected to forms of work or to specific trades and were originally sung between work or for specific jobs. Other Minyo function simply as entertainment, as dance accompaniment, or as components of religious rituals. Minyo style can be played with any shamisen size.

Jiuta means “songs of the country” and, in the Edo period. From the early 18th century, occasions for shamisen to play together with koto became common and now, there is a very close relationship between koto and Jiuta. The Jiuta style is said to be a more refined style. The bachi can be as wide as 14cm, not the easiest accessory to conceal in a purse.

This is another style for futozao shamisen. Rather than the solo-centric tsugaru style, the Gidayu style was developed to be played along with plays. This style uses a bachi with 7mm thick tips. For reference, the tips of bachi for tsugaru shamisen are between 1~2mm, so 7mm is seriously thick stuff. The koma is around 19mm tall. The extreme sizes/thicknesses of the accessories lend to the unique tone of gidayu shamisen.

The sharp, hard-striking tsugaru style is said to have originated on the streets by the bousama (blind musicians), who developed a livelier style to attract audience. In recent years, many talented musicians have taken up the tsugaru shamisen and has brought it to popularity as a virtuosic instrumental style. The bachi is smaller with much variety in weights/flexibility for the individual’s preferences. The koma has a relatively short height of 8mm. Out of all shamisen styles, you have the greatest chance of getting laid with tsugaru style (and even then, the chances are not great)

The sawari yama is a ridge in the tenjin which causes the warm, buzzing resonation called ‘sawari’. ( Learn more about sawari! ) If the sawari yama is worn or chipped, the sawari effect won’t engage. Thus, examine the ridge closely. This isn’t a big problem, as any visible chips or depressions can be refilled with a mixture of epoxy and sawdust.

When a shamisen has been frequently played, the neck will naturally wear away on the spots pressed the most – Usually, positions 3, 4, 6, 9, 10. When this happens, it can strongly affect the string’s tone when we press on these worn spots, creating an inferior buzzing (not the good kind) or preventing a resonating tone. When this happens, the topside of the neck needs to be re-leveled with a process called ‘kanberi’. It’s not difficult to do, and most luthiers should be able to re-level the neck for you. So when you hold the shamisen, simply run your fingers along the topside of the neck. If the neck is worn, you will be able to feel sudden dips or bumps around those main spots!

FAQs Archive - Page 8 of 14

Q: Itomaki (tuning pegs)

The itomaki of a tsugaru shamisen are about 2.5cm at the thickest point, much thicker than the other shamisen. Just by looking at the two shamisen below, you can tell which one is the tsugaru shamisen. (especially since we have them labeled!)

The difference between nagauta/jiuta shamisen

Though it’s easy to differentiate from the tsugaru shamisen by [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T01:16:14+00:00February 15, 2023|Styles of Shamisen Part 4|0 Comments

Kawa (skin)

When the skin is glued to the dou (body), extra [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T01:16:14+00:00February 15, 2023|Styles of Shamisen Part 4|0 Comments

Itomaki (tuning pegs)

The itomaki of a tsugaru shamisen are about 2.5cm at [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T01:16:15+00:00February 15, 2023|Styles of Shamisen Part 4|0 Comments

Nagauta Shamisen

Nagauta means “long song” and began as several short songs [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T01:16:15+00:00February 15, 2023|Styles of Shamisen Part 3|0 Comments

Minyo shamisen

Minyo is connected to forms of work or to specific [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T01:16:15+00:00February 15, 2023|Styles of Shamisen Part 2|0 Comments

Jiuta shamisen

Jiuta means “songs of the country” and, in the Edo [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T01:16:15+00:00February 15, 2023|Styles of Shamisen Part 2|0 Comments

Gidayu Shamisen

This is another style for futozao shamisen. Rather than the [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T01:16:15+00:00February 15, 2023|Styles of Shamisen Part 1|0 Comments

Tsugaru Shamisen

The sharp, hard-striking tsugaru style is said to have originated [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T01:16:15+00:00February 15, 2023|Styles of Shamisen Part 1|0 Comments

3. Sawari Yama

The sawari yama is a ridge in the tenjin which [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T00:45:18+00:00February 15, 2023|Evaluating Chuko Shamisen (Used Shamisen) Part 2|0 Comments

2. Neck (sao)

When a shamisen has been frequently played, the neck will [...]

By Kyle Abbott|2023-02-15T00:45:18+00:00February 15, 2023|Evaluating Chuko Shamisen (Used Shamisen) Part 2|0 Comments