Raven, Starling, Akatsuki, and Rose Shamisen

Tokyo Wagakki is one of the last Japanese workshops making high-end shamisen, and is led by third-generation shamisen maker Katsuhiro Otaki. His family (Otaki) is legendary in the shamisen world for creating the best sounding dou (soundbox), and Tokyo Wagakki itself is legendary for their mirror-like polishing technique. (A difficult process which takes two weeks, and creates a mirror-like finish with no lacquer) Needless to say, we’re very fortunate to offer their shamisen direct from the workshop to your hands!
 
I was introduced to Otaki san via my partner Yanaka san’s father (who was an old-school maker legendary for his shamisen skins) in 2013. When Yanaka san’s father saw my homemade shamisen (#5 to be exact), he asked, “Would you like to visit a real shamisen workshop?” How could I say no!
 
Tokyo Wagakki never allowed public entry to the workshop before, so initially Otaki san had hesitation about me visiting. However, when he saw my homemade shamisen and book, there was an instant connection. And two years later, Tokyo Wagakki partnered with Bachido to make high quality shamisen, (some of which are so unique they aren’t even available in Japan!) This direct partnership allows us to offer their amazing instruments at a lower price than most shamisen retailers in Japan.

Tokyo Wagakki itself isn’t a retailer, and thus they only build shamisen when an order comes in. Quite often they can complete a shamisen in 9 to 10 weeks, and then my other partner Yanaka san will take 1 to 2 weeks to attach the skins and ship it to you.
 
Sometimes fulfillment time is a few weeks longer if they receive a surge of orders in Japan or a craftsman is sick. If you’ve been waiting for your Tokyo Wagakki shamisen, please feel free to write me after the 9th week and I should be able to provide an accurate eta!