Instruments

  • While this shamisen was previously built by an unknown maker…

    While this shamisen was previously built by an unknown maker in Japan (sadly, there are almost never signatures nor identification marks from shamisen makers), my guess is it was made in the 1990s to early 2000s. There is a moderate amount of tochi (figure) in the kouki sao, but has beautiful deep red throughout. This instrument has been fully refreshed to brand new condition by the legendary craftsmen at Tokyo Wagakki, which includes their signature mirror-like polishing technique. This shamisen can be skinned with the brand new Hibiki Sonic synthetic skin (not yet publicly available).

    Note: The deep vivid reds in the kouki is more striking in darker rooms with direct light. I've included a few photos of the tenjin in a regular room so you can see it's darker appearance with ambient lighting.

    • Wood: Deep red Kouki with moderate amount of tochi figuring (Sao).

    • Skin: Hibiki Sonic (White or Black)

    • Itomaki: Elite Itomaki (Curly Siamese Rosewood)

    • Condition: Professionally refreshed to Brand New condition.

  • While this shamisen was previously built by an unknown maker…

    While this shamisen was previously built by an unknown maker in Japan (sadly, there are almost never signatures nor identification marks from shamisen makers), my guess is it was made in the 1990s to early 2000s. There is a very light amount of tochi (figure) in the kouki, but has beautiful deep red throughout. This instrument has been fully refreshed to brand new condition by the legendary craftsmen at Tokyo Wagakki, which includes their signature mirror-like polishing technique. This shamisen can be skinned with the brand new Hibiki Sonic synthetic skin (not yet publicly available).

    • Wood: Deep red Kouki with light amount of tochi figuring (Sao & Tenjin).

    • Skin: Hibiki Sonic (White or Black)

    • Itomaki: Elite Itomaki (African Blackwood w/ Amboyna Burl caps)

    • Condition: Professionally refreshed to Brand New condition.

  • [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8hd58MXJgw[/embed] The Best of Both Worlds: Vintage Materials Meets Modern…

    The Best of Both Worlds: Vintage Materials Meets Modern Perfection. Experience a rare "Brand-New Vintage" Tsugaru Shamisen. Crafted from "Golden Age" Red Sandalwood (Kouki) with extraordinary tochi (tiger-stripe figuring) rarely seen in modern harvests, this instrument has been 100% restored by the legendary craftsmen at Tokyo Wagakki. Featuring the brand new Hibiki Sonic synthetic skin (not yet publicly available), this is a collector-grade instrument with the playability of a brand-new professional model.

    • Wood: Highest-grade old growth Kouki with heavy Tochi figuring (Sao & Tenjin). It literally doesn't get any higher grade than this.

    • Skin: Hibiki Sonic (Choice of Black or White)

    • Hardware: Gold fittings (Kinbozo), Zouge Itomaki

    • Condition: Professionally refreshed to Brand New condition.

  • This is a standard type of Shamisen for Tsugaru style.…
    This is a standard type of Shamisen for Tsugaru style. Important: This shamisen does NOT include any accessories required to play (no strings, plectrum, etc). Unless you already have accessories, please consider selecting The Tsugaru Shamisen Accessory Set option for all the essential items required to make your shamisen playable. Otherwise, by selecting The Karin Tsugaru Shamisen only, you will receive the masterfully built shamisen in an unplayable condition. The Tsugaru's Shamisen Accessory Set consists of entry level items so users can get the most affordable option to start playing. If you'd like to select your own accessories (to get preferred colors, choose particular bachi, add extra strings, etc), please go to Essentials and choose the best items for yourself. Need help in curating your shopping list? Learn about the most essential items here!
  • The KoShamisen

    From: $1,190
    Designed with a perfect half-size sao and a natural skin,…
    Designed with a perfect half-size sao and a natural skin, you can get an authentic shamisen sound with a size convenient enough to take hiking or on the road. Important: This shamisen does NOT include any accessories required to play (no strings, plectrum, etc). Unless you already have accessories, please consider selecting The Beginner's Shamisen Accessory Set option for all the essential items required to make your shamisen playable. Otherwise, by selecting The KoShamisen only, you will receive the masterfully built shamisen in an unplayable condition. The Beginner's Shamisen Accessory Set consists of entry level items so users can get the most affordable option to start playing. If you'd like to select your own accessories (to get preferred colors, choose particular bachi, add extra strings, etc), please go to Essentials and choose the best items for yourself. Need help in curating your shopping list? Learn about the most essential items here!
  • The No-Limits Shamisen! An otherwise standard high quality Karin shamisen…
    The No-Limits Shamisen! An otherwise standard high quality Karin shamisen with a unique base of the sao which extends to the edge of the dou, as opposed to swooping down (the shape which is called Hatomune) Important: This shamisen does NOT include any accessories required to play (no strings, plectrum, etc). Unless you already have accessories, please consider selecting The Tsugaru Shamisen Accessory Set option for all the essential items required to make your shamisen playable. Otherwise, by selecting The "No Limits" Shamisen only, you will receive the masterfully built shamisen in an unplayable condition. The Tsugaru's Shamisen Accessory Set consists of entry level items so users can get the most affordable option to start playing. If you'd like to select your own accessories (to get preferred colors, choose particular bachi, add extra strings, etc), please go to Essentials and choose the best items for yourself. Need help in curating your shopping list? Learn about the most essential items here!
  • To learn more about The Heirloom Rose Shamisen or the…
    To learn more about The Heirloom Rose Shamisen or the accompanying accessory set, please click on their respective links below! Important: This shamisen does NOT include any accessories required to play (no strings, plectrum, etc). Unless you already have accessories, please consider selecting The Tsugaru Shamisen Accessory Set option for all the essential items required to make your shamisen playable. Otherwise, by selecting The Heirloom Rose Shamisen only, you will receive the masterfully built shamisen in an unplayable condition. The Tsugaru's Shamisen Accessory Set consists of entry level items so users can get the most affordable option to start playing. If you'd like to select your own accessories (to get preferred colors, choose particular bachi, add extra strings, etc), please go to Essentials and choose the best items for yourself. Need help in curating your shopping list? Learn about the most essential items here!
  • Sale!

    The Eclipse Shamisen

    From $2500 to $2700
    One of our first and most popular shamisen has finally…
    One of our first and most popular shamisen has finally returned! The Eclipse has been absent for many years due to the unavailability of tochikarin (highly figured Karin) in matching colors. For example, the lumber for sao wood was tan and the lumber for the tenjin would be brownish-pink. Why does this matter? Well, unlike other shamisen which can be stained or colored with tinted urushi, the Eclipse is finished with Tokyo Wagakki's renowned polishing technique, which takes two weeks to apply and uses no lacquers nor colorings. Such a polish gives the entire shamisen a deep warm glow, but retains the colors of the natural wood. Thus, while a shamisen with different color tones wouldn't affect the sound, the craftsmen at Tokyo Wagakki weren't pleased with the visual aesthetic, and so we paused production of this model... until now! After many years, tochikarin wood in matching colors came back in stock, and we're finally able to bring the Eclipse back to the Bachido Store! Read more about this exciting shamisen below! Also, check out our exciting new Eclipse: Special Edition!

    Color Will Vary

    As you can see in the photo, the left Eclipse has a redder hue than the right Eclipse. There is no difference in quality nor tone, but it's simply the natural color of the polished wood. As stated above, the Eclipse uses no stain or lacquers, so please know that any particular Eclipse shamisen might be redder or tanner than another.
  • Designed with a perfect half-size sao and a natural skin,…
    Designed with a perfect half-size sao and a natural skin, you can get an authentic shamisen sound with a size convenient enough to take hiking or on the road.  
  • This Shitan Tsugaru Shamisen is made from Shitan wood, which…
    This Shitan Tsugaru Shamisen is made from Shitan wood, which is higher quality and heavier than Karin wood.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • This is a standard kouki shamisen, made in Japan. Honestly,…
    This is a standard kouki shamisen, made in Japan. Honestly, I would recommend checking out the Rose Shamisen, which is also made from kouki but has more customization options and has more information, pictures, and video available.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • This Karin Minyo Shamisen is built by a close friend…
    This Karin Minyo Shamisen is built by a close friend of Hiroshi Nitta (Masahiro Nitta’s father) in Kanagawa.
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