Colored Shamisen strings from Kyoto.

General
#1

So today I was able to visit a cool shop in Kyoto just a few blocks from my hotel. It’s called Tobaya and they’ve been making Japanese instrument strings for over 300 years! For the past 100 years or so, they’ve been dying their strings with different colors besides yellow. They requested that I not take pictures inside the shop (it was a very old, beautiful traditional Japanese house), but I sat and talked with them (I did the best I could as I butchered the Japanese language) and played Shamisen with them, and got to see many different types of strings. I also bought a couple of sets (they are about 2200 yen). They’re super rad and I can’t wait to put them on a Shamisen when I get home.

They also have a website, though I don’t know if they ship internationally.

http://www.tobaya.co.jp

#2

very cool :slight_smile:

#3

Those are awesome! I’m going to check out the website. If they don’t ship internationally, you could always use a forwarding service.

#4

Cool, and they come in different materials, too (polyester for the fancy colors).
But I fear they don’t offer tsugaru ones.

#5

Jackie - what’s a forwarding service??

#6

Love it! Will definitely have to check this store out when I’m in JP next month. Do they mind “random” visitors stopping by, or did you make an appointment?

#7

o i love those!

© 2020 Kyle Abbott