Everything you need to know about the Shamisen!
Shamisen Accessories: What you need for a basic setup
Getting a brand new shamisen and need accessories? Find out what you really need! It's common to think that the shamisen maker is the one who puts on the strings, koma (bridge) and other accessories before selling. While that's true for makers who sell their instruments direct to customers, [...]
How to Install Your New Elite Itomaki
Fun Fact: Itomaki are NOT Plug & Play Itomaki are held in place with friction, and the key to a tight fit is achieving a correct taper so the peg contacts the zagane (metal fitting) just enough. Too much contact, the itomaki is impossible to turn. Too little contact, [...]
Make Your Own Kamigoma!
The standard kamigoma (metal nut) is a thin piece of brass (or such material) set under the two thinner strings to make them resonate clearly. If you have acquired an old shamisen through Ebay or family, there’s a chance it’s missing the kamigoma. This often occurs because the old [...]
Shaping Your Bachi Handle
The bachi is the most important part of the shamisen. To safely execute solid bachi technique, you should have a bachi that fits your hand comfortably without struggle. Of course, the bachi is initially awkward to use, but once you get accustomed to it, it should feel comfortable. If [...]
Repairing a Chipped Bachi
If you dabble in the hard driving tsugaru style, you may have found (or will soon find out) that your bachi chips with prolonged use. Fortunately, it’s common among all tsugaru shamisen players, and is very easy to repair, taking less than 5~10 minutes to do so. All [...]