In this episode, we explore a bit of the shamisen construction process - the Sao/Tenjin joint and Itomaki making.
Feeling the need to make more instructional videos for Bachido.com, I’m putting more time into making this shamisen so It’ll be completed sooner.
Nice work! Have you thought about laquer on the itomaki? I’m not saying it is needed, but if you wanna push this whiteness issue even further then a glossy finish could bring out more white.
Thanks! 
Ah, interesting thought! I’m inclined to think that it wouldn’t make much difference. After all, lacquer is basically plastic, right? So basically it’s just putting another layer of plastic on a solid piece of plastic. 
It’s hard to see in the video, but I had put some buffing compounds and polish on the itomaki, and so got them sparkling. (until my fingerprints got on 'em. )
Are White Itomakis sold here at Bachido? In my opinion, White contrasts well with the dark neck of a kouki Shamisen. If I ever get a kouki shamisen, I’ll have to buy white Itomakis with them. ^-^
Pics or it didn’t happen
What I saw in the video could be even whiter with some lacquer me thinks. I don’t know what modern lacquer is made of but even plastic on plastic can bring more depth, literally too
Just saying it looks like the whiteness level has not reached maximum yet.
Stev,
Hmm… I can inquire with Masahiro about that. However, checking with a shamisen shop online, I see that a set of white itomaki (fake ivory) cost 21,000 yen, and regular ebony itomaki cost 14,000. It’s not going to be cheap. :-S
Frankly, it’s going to be hard to get shamisen hardware (zagane, kamigoma, itomaki) from suppliers because I think they’re still wanting to keep their sources “secret.” :-S However, we may be able to make them ourselves, with the help of some local high tech equipment.More to come in the future. 
Karl: Haha! Well, I’ve got some extra plastic itomaki which I made for the ipe shamisen. I’ll try putting lacquer on them after finishing this shamisen. Remind me if I forget.
Darn. I also wanted the crystal blue set of itomaki… I mean who doesn’t want icicles sticking out from the top of their shamisen?
If only the prices were lower…