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  • Whether you've dreamed of building your own shamisen or already…
    Whether you've dreamed of building your own shamisen or already aspire to become a shamisen luthier, these kits provide all the wood and parts you need to create a high-level instrument! (Please note: the kit does NOT include tools, glues, or finishes.) After selecting your favorite set, be sure to pick up a fingerboard (available in the main 'Shamisen DIY Kits' page) to achieve the best tone and a stunning appearance!

    Each kit includes roughly shaped shamisen parts (Tenjin, Sao, Nakago, Dou), all of the gold fittings (Rindo, Azuma Sawari, Kamigoma, and Zagane), Elite Itomaki (sanding and polishing required), and a copy of Shamisen of Japan.

    These kits are designed for individuals who want the complete experience of building a shamisen and either have a workshop or plan to obtain their own tools. The kits consist primarily of curated materials that are minimally processed to provide the maker with a full hands-on building experience. The quality of the final product depends on your skill and craftsmanship. Be sure to read the main description on the Shamisen DIY Kit category page for full details and general information about these kits.

    Add-Ons

    Want an even smoother building experience? Here's a few optional services which could be useful!
    1. Building Templates These templates are cut from high quality acrylic and are sized for a standard futozao (Tsugaru) shamisen with a Size 5 dou. Although the included book Shamisen of Japan has paper templates for you, the paper does wear down after multiple tracings. If you plan to build multiple shamisen, having durable acrylic templates on hand is very delightful.
    2. One-on-One Video Calls with Kyle (Four 30-minute video calls) Although building shamisen is overall an incredible journey, specific aspects (especially joints making) can be quite frustrating. And in those times, sometimes having a teacher present can make a huge difference! With this service, Kyle can be available on video to answer your questions and offer tricks and solutions to challenging obstacles.

    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Everything you need to play! Suitable for beginners and all…
    Everything you need to play! Suitable for beginners and all skill levels. This smaller size Shamisen is also suitable for small children. Wood: Karin Sao and Tenjin Bachi: Wood Bachi Itomaki: Ebony Skin: Hibiki (synthetic skin) Sawari: Yama Sawari Neck: Hosozao (thin neck) Includes: Everything shown in pictures (Doukake, Wooden Bachi, Yubikake, Ito Set, Dou Gomu, Neo, Koma, Naga Fukuro)
  • 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
  • Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made…
    Made by Bachido member Josh Curry! This bachi is made with a Cocobolo handle secured to a flexible Clear Acrylic bachi blade. Specifications: Weight: 97g Length: 192mm Thickness at base of wood handle: 26mm Thickness at thin end of wood handle: 13mm
  • 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
  • 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 in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki, we've got a whole…
    Made in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki, we've got a whole line of colorful acrylic itomaki! Although it's not shown in the pictures, the pegs of all itomaki have a metal core for added strength. These itomaki are intended for tsugaru shamisen. Theoretically they could be fitted in smaller shamisen (nagauta, jiuta, etc), but those shamisen have smaller tenjin, and thus the itomaki would be more difficult to use, and so it's not recommended.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Made in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki, we've got itomaki sets…
    Made in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki, we've got itomaki sets made of faux zouge! These itomaki are intended for tsugaru shamisen. Theoretically they could be fitted in smaller shamisen (nagauta, jiuta, etc), but those shamisen have smaller tenjin, and thus the itomaki would be more difficult to use, and so it's not recommended.
  • Made in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki, we've got three beautiful…
    Made in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki, we've got three beautiful styles of ebony itomaki: Mentori (trimmed edges), Soragara (star shape), Soragara Mentori (star shape with trimmed edges). These itomaki are intended for tsugaru shamisen. Theoretically they could be fitted in smaller shamisen (nagauta, jiuta, etc), but those shamisen have smaller tenjin, and thus the itomaki would be more difficult to use, and so it's not recommended.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Want a little extra personality on your fingerpants? These handmade…
    Want a little extra personality on your fingerpants? These handmade in Japan yubikake feature a decorative ornament on the finger loop. The ornament doesn't directly improve sound quality, but my friends (yes, I do have them!) tell me it looks super cute!
  • This beautiful set of jointed Kouki itomaki are made in…
    This beautiful set of jointed Kouki itomaki are made in the Soragara Mentori style, which is a star shape with the edges expertly trimmed with immaculate detailing. Highly figured Kouki jointed to high quality ebony, and Built in Japan by Tokyo Wagakki.
  • This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Siamese Rosewood…
    This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Siamese Rosewood with intense fiddleback figure. Fitted with African Blackwood pegs.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
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