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, [...]
About Elite Itomaki
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r-r-Tl4W0M The Spearhead of Expression For modern shamisen styles, the main point of impact for fashionable expression is the shining itomaki boldly displayed on the top of our shamisen. Whether a player is practicing at home or playing on stage, the itomaki are always the centerpiece of the [...]
The Birth of Tsugaru
(Taken from the book Shamisen of Japan) The Tsugaru style of shamisen is said to have been created by goze, blind female musicians who belonged to a guild and traveled widely, singing epic poems and popular songs of the time accompanied with the shamisen. However, blind men [...]
Brief History of the Shamisen
History of the Shamisen (Taken from the book Shamisen of Japan) This is a brief, rudimentary history of the shamisen which will, at the very least, allow you to sound smart at a drunk party. The shamisen had many forms before it arrived to Japan, though it’s unclear [...]