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  • Masahiro Nitta's solo shamisen album. Ships from Japan.
    Masahiro Nitta's solo shamisen album. Ships from Japan.
  • This set includes the three Oyama Ryu Scorebooks, and an…
    This set includes the three Oyama Ryu Scorebooks, and an audio CD featuring recordings of all the pieces in the three scorebooks. A very fine collection indeed!
  • This collection of six music scores from Oyama Ryu are…
    This collection of six music scores from Oyama Ryu are all in San Sagari tuning. (C-F-Bb)
  • This collection of five music scores from Oyama Ryu are…
    This collection of five music scores from Oyama Ryu are all in Honchoushi tuning. (D-G-D, C-F-C, etc)
  • Sale!

    The Rose Shamisen

    $3,500.00 – $5000.00
    This is a very high-end Tsugaru Shamisen made-to-order by Tokyo…
    This is a very high-end Tsugaru Shamisen made-to-order by Tokyo Wagakki, the oldest and most respected shamisen workshop in Japan. To learn more about the Rose Shamisen please click on the link below!s

    Special Bonus!

    To help you get started with your brand-new Rose Shamisen, I am including several learning materials for free!
    • Bachido Shamisen Crash Course
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Sakura
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Ringo Bushi
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Yasaburo Bushi
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Tosa no Sunayama
    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 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! Note: A Bachido membership (free) is required to access the courses. (Note: Each shamisen is built per order. Please allow nine to eleven weeks for construction, and feel free to contact store (at) bachido (dot) com if you have questions :-) )
  • Japanese Cedar (Sugi) Itomaki Set

    Price range: $350.00 through $450.00
    This set of Elite Itomaki is made from stabilized sugi…
    This set of Elite Itomaki is made from stabilized sugi wood, capped with Siamese Rosewood and fitted with African Blackwood pegs.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Black & White Ebony Itomaki Set

    Price range: $350.00 through $450.00
    This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Black &…
    This set of Elite Itomaki is made from Black & White Ebony. Capped with African Blackwood and Amboyna Burl, and fitted with African Blackwood pegs.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Sale!

    The Starling Shamisen

    $1,750.00 - $2,245.00
    To learn more about the Starling Shamisen please click on…
    To learn more about the Starling Shamisen please click on the link below!

    Special Bonus!

    To help you get started with your brand-new Starling Shamisen, I am including several learning materials for free!
    • Bachido Shamisen Crash Course
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Sakura
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Ringo Bushi
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Yasaburo Bushi
    • Premium Shamisen Course: Tosa no Sunayama
    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 Starling 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! Note: A Bachido membership (free) is required to access the courses. (Note: Each shamisen is built per order. Please allow six to eight weeks for construction)
  • Nitta Model: Size 7 Tsugaru Shamisen

    Price range: $2,000.00 through $3,500.00
    This shamisen features a Size 7 dou, which is the…
    This shamisen features a Size 7 dou, which is the largest dou available for shamisen. (Not a very common size, and doukake have to be custom made)
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • This set includes a Tsugaru Shamisen as well as all…
    This set includes a Tsugaru Shamisen as well as all the accessories (including a higher end bachi) needed for a very comfortable playing experience.
  • This is my first studio album, the Cuckoo. Personally I…
    This is my first studio album, the Cuckoo. Personally I cringe when I listen to this one, as I enjoy my newer works a lot more. My wife likes this album though.
  • The Kase is the equivalent of a capo for the…
    The Kase is the equivalent of a capo for the shamisen. It's quite a cool accessory, although isn't commonly used by most shamisen players.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Soft Case

    $217.00
    This is one of my favorite types of cases to…
    This is one of my favorite types of cases to use when I travel locally, whether it be walking or driving to a gig, or taking the bus to San Jose to lead my group shamisen class. It is so light and easy to carry on my back, and offers just enough foam protection where I can feel at ease if it gets lightly bumped.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • This fukuro intended for storing a shamisen which has been…
    This fukuro intended for storing a shamisen which has been disassembled. It's pretty cool and I used to use it all the time, but it's not necessary if you're already storing the disassembling shamisen in a case.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • A soft Dou Fukuro used for keeping the shamisen dou…
    A soft Dou Fukuro used for keeping the shamisen dou safe and protected.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Rindo

    $75.00
    This is the decorative gold-plated sleeve and fitting that attaches…
    This is the decorative gold-plated sleeve and fitting that attaches to the dou and end of the nakagosaki. If you're building your own Tsugaru Shamisen and want to have all the finishing touches which high-end Tsugaru Shamisen have in Japan, you'll want this! (Know that it's not required for a shamisen, but rather increases the level of fanciness)
  • Want to rep your team? Now you can with our…
    Want to rep your team? Now you can with our specially made Team Bachido Happi! Ships from California.  
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • 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.

  • Everything you need to play! Suitable for beginners and all…
    Everything you need to play! Suitable for beginners and all skill levels. Wood: Karin Sao and Tenjin Bachi: refurbished Bachi Itomaki: Ebony Skin: Hibiki, White (synthetic skin) Sawari: Yama Sawari Neck: Hosozao (thin neck) Condition: In great condition Includes: Everything shown in pictures (Doukake, Bachi, Yubikake, Ito Set, Dou Gomu, Neo, Koma, Naga Fukuro), and a Fujaku Strip.
  • Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your…
    Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Unlike the Pua Rosa fingerboards, these Rosewood fingerboards have ample margin, which means you don't need to be as careful about perfectly centered placement when gluing. Even if you're off center by a millimeter or two, you will still have amazing results after final shaping.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your…
    Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Unlike the Pua Rosa fingerboards, these Rosewood fingerboards have ample margin, which means you don't need to be as careful about perfectly centered placement when gluing. Even if you're off center by a millimeter or two, you will still have amazing results after final shaping.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your…
    Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Unlike the Pua Rosa fingerboards, these Rosewood fingerboards have ample margin, which means you don't need to be as careful about perfectly centered placement when gluing. Even if you're off center by a millimeter or two, you will still have amazing results after final shaping.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your…
    Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Unlike the Pua Rosa fingerboards, these Rosewood fingerboards have ample margin, which means you don't need to be as careful about perfectly centered placement when gluing. Even if you're off center by a millimeter or two, you will still have amazing results after final shaping.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your…
    Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Unlike the Pua Rosa fingerboards, these Rosewood fingerboards have ample margin, which means you don't need to be as careful about perfectly centered placement when gluing. Even if you're off center by a millimeter or two, you will still have amazing results after final shaping.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your…
    Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Unlike the Pua Rosa fingerboards, these Rosewood fingerboards have ample margin, which means you don't need to be as careful about perfectly centered placement when gluing. Even if you're off center by a millimeter or two, you will still have amazing results after final shaping.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your…
    Add a super cool Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Unlike the Pua Rosa fingerboards, these Rosewood fingerboards have ample margin, which means you don't need to be as careful about perfectly centered placement when gluing. Even if you're off center by a millimeter or two, you will still have amazing results after final shaping.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen…
    Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Please note: The Pua Rosa fingerboards have minimal margin, which means you must glue the fingerboard precisely centered on your sao block, not a millimeter off. I'd recommend checking out the Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboards, as they have much wider margins and you can be assured of optimal results!
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen…
    Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Please note: The Pua Rosa fingerboards have minimal margin, which means you must glue the fingerboard precisely centered on your sao block, not a millimeter off. I'd recommend checking out the Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboards, as they have much wider margins and you can be assured of optimal results!
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen…
    Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Please note: The Pua Rosa fingerboards have minimal margin, which means you must glue the fingerboard precisely centered on your sao block, not a millimeter off. I'd recommend checking out the Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboards, as they have much wider margins and you can be assured of optimal results!
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen…
    Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Please note: The Pua Rosa fingerboards have minimal margin, which means you must glue the fingerboard precisely centered on your sao block, not a millimeter off. I'd recommend checking out the Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboards, as they have much wider margins and you can be assured of optimal results!
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen…
    Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Please note: The Pua Rosa fingerboards have minimal margin, which means you must glue the fingerboard precisely centered on your sao block, not a millimeter off. I'd recommend checking out the Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboards, as they have much wider margins and you can be assured of optimal results!
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen…
    Add a super cool Pua Rosa fingerboard to your Shamisen DIY Kit! The fingerboard includes a Tenjin Extension, which is a strip of wood which can be glued onto the tenjin before the shaping process. Both fingerboard and extension are sealed with shellac. Please note: The Pua Rosa fingerboards have minimal margin, which means you must glue the fingerboard precisely centered on your sao block, not a millimeter off. I'd recommend checking out the Laotian Birdseye Rosewood fingerboards, as they have much wider margins and you can be assured of optimal results!
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Shamisen DIY Kit #9 (Red Gum)

    Price range: $1,400.00 through $1,780.00
    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
  • Shamisen DIY Kit #8 (Pomelle Sapele)

    Price range: $1,400.00 through $1,780.00
    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
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