Different schools in Japan

So can anyone explain the diffrent schools of Tsugaru shamisen . Whats make them s
Different ? Must one be only dedicated to that one ? I’d like to know the intricacies of it all .

Generally speaking, different schools or 流派 (ryuu-ha) are just different organizations.

They differ in terms of leadership, fees, organizational idiosyncrasies, and reputation.

Comparing two schools may show differences in technique focus and may show some unique shifts in arrangements between two similarly named songs. Preferences for certain tools (this size bachi, that height koma) may also appear. Note that comparisons between schools may also show immense similarities!

In some genres, different schools may have “secret” pieces - those which are generally not taught to people outside of the school or below a certain level within it. I think you can largely consider that a relic of pre-recording though.

Specific to Tsugaru, we have the further divide between Tataki-bachi (your standard Tsugaru) and Hiki-bachi (folks more closely emulating Takahashi Chikuzan).

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Thank you Brown- your always a wealth of information :grinning: