The Raven Shamisen

Description

At Bachido, we’re proud to exclusively offer creative styles of shamisen made by the most respected makers in Japan. With the shamisen crafted by trusted craftsman at Tokyo Wagakki (the oldest shamisen workshop in the Tokyo area), we have confidence that our new shamisen styles will be fully realized at the highest quality possible! Like the Sakura, Eclipse and Akatsuki, our newest model proudly continues the line of exclusive and top-grade Shamisen at Bachido. With the Eclipse and Akatsuki available as our high end shamisen, we wanted to offer another mid-range model as an alternative to the Sakura Shamisen (Pink is a bit bold for some). I present to you, The Raven.

Specifications

• Size: Your Choice of Chuzao (Mid-Size) or Futozao (Large Size)
• Sao: Shitan (Rosewood) – 28mm wide x 33mm thick (Chuzao) or 30mm wide x 35mm thick (Futozao) – Mitsuori (three-piece neck)
• Itomaki: Red Soragara (star-shaped) Acrylic (with metal core)
• Skin: Hibiki (Black/White Synthetic) or Vintage Tone (Natural)
• Dou: Karin – Size 5 (Tsugaru) Optional Ayasugi carving available
• Hardware: Azuma Sawari, Rindo, Zagane, and Kamigoma
• Accessories not included

Color Burst Within Darkness

The Raven is made with high quality Shitan (rosewood). Shitan shamisen are pretty common, so to add our unique flavor, we’ve asked the makers at Tokyo Wagakki to expertly darken the shitan with urushi (non-allergenic). This brings an incredible new visual element to the shitan. When the background is lighter/whiter, the Raven looks black as midnight. However, carry the Raven to a darker background and suddenly the natural brown color of the rosewood pops out! I (Kyle Abbott) have never seen a shamisen like this. The visual element is just as captivating as the tone! Admiring it’s shining curves, I can proudly say this is a beautiful shamisen. While we’re listing this as a ‘mid-range’ shamisen, the quality is nothing short of top grade.

The dou is standard Size 5 for tsugaru style. Combined with the Shitan sao, I enjoyed wonderful clarity with warm resonance of the sawari. The sao is incredibly smooth with low action, which meant it’s very easy to play and yield high sustain with suri (slide), uchi (hammer-on) and such techniques.

Ayasugi Now Available

Ayasugi is a beautiful and intricate herring bone pattern carved inside the dou. Historically, it was only reserved for the most expensive shamisen as a fine detail to turn the instrument into a complete work of art. Later, it became perceived as a feature to improve or change sound quality, a misconception which I believe was started by a craftsman trying to encourage players to buy their most expensive instruments. Initially I didn’t offer any shamisen with ayasugi as a matter of principle, because I felt it was wrong to offer something which was deceptively promoted as a “sound quality enhancer.” However, more recently I’ve come to appreciate ayasugi simply for how it turns the shamisen into a full visual masterpiece, and am now offering it on all new shamisen at Bachido! If you love the Ayasugi pattern as much as I do (a lot!), add it to your Raven to increase the level of Stunning!

Order the Raven Shamisen!

(Note: Each shamisen is built per order. Please allow six to eight weeks for construction)

Important: Please read before purchase.