Shitan Shamisen Set (Hosozao)

Shitan Shamisen Set (Hosozao)

$950.00

Introducing a classic style of hosozao shamisen, 100% Made-in-Japan with premium Shitan (rosewood)!

What’s unique about this particular line of shamisen are the materials used. These shamisen are made with wood harvested around the 1980s. Wood from that period was of much higher quality (often with a richer figure) than wood harvested recently. How were we able to get pristine 50-year-old wood? Read in the description below!

Specifications

  • Hosozao (thin-neck) Shamisen
  • Sao: Shitan wood, Mitsuori (Three-piece neck)
  • Itomaki: Ebony
  • Skin: Hibiki (White)
  • Dou: Karin
    (Note) Darkness/color of wood may vary.
  • Included Accessories

  • Bachi (plectrum)
  • Bachigawa (skin protector)
  • Bamboo Koma (bridge)
  • Doukake (body cover)
  • Fujaku (position mark strip)
  • Ito (strings)
  • Kamigoma (shamisen nut: requires glue for installation)
  • Keychain Accessory (fun stuff!)
  • Neo (tailpiece)
  • Pitch Pipe
  • Soft Case
  • Yubikake (fingerpants)

Description

Since the mid-1980s, the shamisen world began to suffer. Interest in shamisen was falling inside Japan, and with practically no engagement with the international market, many shamisen makers were unable to earn a living from shamisen anymore. Thus, from the mid-80s to the mid-2000s, many shamisen retailers and makers had to end their services. Although the makers technically stopped making shamisen, they still owned large supplies of shamisen materials.

Being too valuable to dispose of yet with nobody interested in buying them, these stockpiles of high-quality wood remained forgotten in the craftsmen’s warehouses and garages, known only to that particular maker and their friends within the small shamisen-making world. Recently, Nitta-san has been tapping into his networks to locate those caches and is paying makers to build brand new shamisen made with these pristine, high-quality woods!

Kyle’s Opinion: I love everything about this shamisen. Not only is the build quality terrific and the wood finished with a mirror-like shine, but the fact that these are made without harvesting new materials makes me very happy. Not only are we making use of the already existing materials, but they’re even better than materials harvested today. It’s a win/win!

As you can watch in “Unboxing the Shamisen Starter Set”, (which isn’t this particular shamisen, but the same accessories are included) the shamisen and the entire set of accessories are shipped together in one box. Many other shamisen stores in Japan will ship their shamisen fully assembled, which for overseas deliveries very often results in broken necks and shattered dreams. (Truly, I’ve had to fix many broken shamisen which customers received from other stores) At Bachido, we ensure safe delivery by shipping shamisen fully disassembled with every part carefully wrapped. Since 2014, we’ve shipped over 1000 shamisen with a nearly perfect delivery rate. So when you get your shamisen at Bachido, you can rest assured knowing your shamisen will arrive safely!

Now, the safest method of delivery does mean the shamisen will need to be assembled and accessories attached after arrival. A daunting task it seems, but fear not, In my “Step-by-Step Guide to Shamisen Assembly”, I will carefully walk you through the entire assembly process. From putting the neck together to tuning the shamisen, we will confidently set up your new three-stringed friend! Afterwards, you can learn how to play using the video lessons included with your purchase!

Helpful Videos

Step-by-Step Guide to Shamisen Assembly (using the Shamisen Starter Set)

Unboxing the Shamisen Starter Set (Pretty much the same experience as the Shitan Shamisen Set :) )

DaFAQ: Shamisen Masterclass Series (it’s free!)

Special Bonus!

To help you get started with your new Shamisen Starter Set, 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

Note: A Bachido membership (free) is required to access the courses.

(Please allow three weeks for fulfillment)

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