Any tips for buying used shamisen?

Store/Sales
#1

Hi all.

I’m planning on searching for a secondhand shamisen around tokyo. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on things to look out for and how to know if i’ve found a good deal or not?

I’m setting myself a budget of 200,000-300,000 yen (the used shamisen at the bachido store has been sitting there for ages, but i can’t really justify another 10Man), and looking for Kouki shamisen with Ayasugi bori.

Obviously I’ll be looking for chips and nicks and stuff and the trimmings. But does anyone have any experience of buying a shamisen only to get home to discover something and think ‘darn, i wish i had checked for that…’

oh and any specific shops to visit or avoid is also appreciated (obviously i’ll be popping into Katoh, and kameya, but this place in chiba interested me too:

http://www.shamisen-komayoshi.com/shop/shop.cgi?class=0%2F0&keyword=&superkey=1&FF=0&order=&pic_only=1
)

thanks for any advice.

#2

Hey - best of luck with your search!

I think those are great places to check out. One addition might be Ohtsu Kotosangen. They have used instruments, but I have never dealt with them before, so cant speak to anything beyond that! :stuck_out_tongue:

When checking an instrument out, look for the quality of fit between all joints, and especially the base of the sao and the dou. This can sometimes come loose with age. If you were buying from a recycle shop or antique dealer, you would have to look for cracks, the joints, and general wear and tear, but I think you have much less to worry about if you’re buying from a store that makes instruments themselves, as they have standards for their re-sale instruments. Chances are they’ve already taken care of all repairs, and are selling for only a bit of a profit on top of that.

You should always ask about what kind of repairs have been done to specific instruments if you find one that you like. I’d be a bit wary if they were unable or unwilling to tell you. Luckily, all of the shops are happy to have you test out the instruments as much as you want!

Again, good luck! Buying a new instrument is always exciting-
Joe

#3

Joseph,

Thanks so much for your suggestion! I ended up with a plan to visit 3 shops, but when i called Katoh they told me they didnt have any used shamisen instore at the moment, so Ohtsu-Kotosangen ended up being the first and only visit on my search.

I ended up 10% over budget, but with all kinds of goodies which was definitely worth while.

Having now personally dealt with them, if anyone is wondering i am highly recommending the place. They had a good variety of second hand shamisen, and bachi, and cases (i grabbed one of each), and the guy was really lovely. He threw in a discount and some goodies since I was paying in cash. You do need some Japanese to communicate though, just FYI.

Also the shop is right in the Shimokitazawa neighborhood, which is worth the ‘hype’. Lots of independent stores selling interesting things. Well worth a visit.

Now I need to hop back on the practice bandwagon, and find a place i’m not worried about making noise in so I can give it a proper seeing to. ;p

#4

Hey Shmoolik, are you in the market for a tsugaru shamisen, or nagauta shamisen?

Nathan (who’s in Osaka) has a beautiful kouki nagauta shamisen he’s wanting to sell.

© 2020 Kyle Abbott