Commonly mistaken for a putty knife, the bachi is the plectrum for the shamisen. Choosing the right bachi for you is just as important as the shamisen, as it greatly affects your playing experience. What’s the most important factor in choosing a bachi? Flexibility.
Flexibility changes your playing experience the most. When you hold the bachi, you strike the strings with the tip. When there is flexibility, the tip will bend, which makes striking the string feel smoother. If it is really hard, it will feel like the tip is getting caught in the strings. A good rule of thumb is that more flexibility is better. However, higher flexibility means that it may break more easily. Knowing that, please consider your budget as well as your desired experience.
About Bekkou Bachi
Bekkou bachi are bachi made from tortoise shell, commonly used in Japan. Bekkou is favored for it’s flexibility and tradition. However, production of these bachi is decreasing, due to limited availability (endangerment) of materials. They are still sold in Japan, but thanks to developments in synthetics, newer synthetic bachi (like Pantera or Neoko) are almost identical to real shell. Happy tortoises!
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Want to represent Bachido on your wooden bachi? Now you…Want to represent Bachido on your wooden bachi? Now you can! This is a standard Wooden Bachi (Oak) with the Bachido logo laser-cut into the handle. Sexy time! -
Size Options 9cm x 16.5cm (Regular) – Normal size for…Size Options 9cm x 16.5cm (Regular) – Normal size for Tsugaru style. 7cm x 15cm (Trimmed) – Ideal if you have average size hands but tend to find tsugaru bachi unwieldy. 6cm x 13cm (Small) – Best for kids or small hands. -
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a figured Walnut handle secured to a flexible Blue Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 63g Length: 192mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 22mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 10mm -
Length: 170mm Blade Width: 86mm Handle Width (Base): 25.5mm Handle…Length: 170mm Blade Width: 86mm Handle Width (Base): 25.5mm Handle Width (Blade*): 32mm Handle Height (Base): 25.5mm Handle Height (Blade*): 9mm *The feathered edge where blade and handle first connect, (towards middle of handle, not the edge of handle) -
Get closer to your shamisen idols! The Signature Bachi are…Get closer to your shamisen idols! The Signature Bachi are made in collaboration with the hottest shamisen stars of today. Every star player involved has given us their preferred weight, balance and shape of their favorite bachi, and the maker creates them with synthetic bekko called Neoko. Check out the exact weight and measurements of each bachi below! -
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a Rosewood handle (with Tori Gate inlay)secured to a flexible Orange Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 80g Length: 193mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 26mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 12mm -
Enjoy a higher strata of elegance with this Premium Wooden…Enjoy a higher strata of elegance with this Premium Wooden Bachi made by Nitta san’s friends of his Sapporo music group Ezon! The handle has a Marquetry-style inlay which brightens your bachi with an artsy brilliance! -
Ironically, although the plastic bachi is the most affordable bachi…Ironically, although the plastic bachi is the most affordable bachi available, it isn't the easiest for beginners due to it's extreme hardness. That being said, it is usable and better than nothing! -
Flex Options: Hard: This is very rigid, almost like Plastic…Flex Options: Hard: This is very rigid, almost like Plastic Bachi, or cheaper bekko bachi. Only choose this if you are accustomed to hard bachi and especially prefer it. Medium: This is a similar level to the Faux Bekko Bachi, as well as most bekko bachi available. Soft: This is ideal for beginners. (Flex level has no connection to skill level – many professional players use soft bachi) Soft bachi are comparable to high end bekko bachi, as very flexible shell are reserved for expensive bachi. (Hard/Medium bachi can be high end as well, but it’s much harder to find natural soft flex in the lower price ranges) The extra flex makes it very comfortable to get a satisfying percussive snap against the skin, and unlike stiffer bachi, it doesn’t get caught in the strings as much. Masahiro Nitta’s personal bachi has a similar flexibility as this, and it’s my favorite as well. Size options: (Length x Width) Large 167mm×93mm Medium 164mm×88mm Small 161mm×83mm -
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a figured Marblewood handle secured to a flexible Orange Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 68g Length: 174mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 20mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 10mm -
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a highly figured Maple handle secured to a flexible Blue Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 55g Length: 173mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 22mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 11mm -
Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a Lacewood handle secured to a flexible Black Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 73g Length: 174mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 22mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 11mm