I’d like to bring back an old thread. Boy, I really wish I could see pictures of these shamisen.
Anyhow, if shamisen manufacturing parallels taiko making in any way, I would say that definitely China is making them or would be willing, cost would be much cheaper, but end result would not the be same. You can search Alibaba and see many (wild) manufactured creations, and pictures that glimpse the behind-the-scenes factories and small shops. Some taiko parts are partly made in China, then finished in Japan or elsewhere (Jinlei is the China OEM manufacturer of taiko parts). SE Asia, esp. Thailand, also is able to manufacture, for example, they make the bulk of Latin percussion drums. Thailand would have access to materials, like wood, skin.
Being from South Florida, I can say that Haiti definitely could use help in this world, esp. given that recently, Hurricane Matthew hit them and we were lucky here to be missed. However, there is probably a greater opportunity farther south-- South America. Countries like Brazil and Peru have the largest transnational Japanese communities (although many are of Okinawan heritage); as example, their taiko groups are growing; import/export is established, and South FL is economically supported by trade &/or ex-pats; there are many small communities still in need of labor and other support; S.A. has access to materials, a lot still fairly cheap or at least available, like hardwoods (a bulk of tropical hardwood flooring comes from Brazil, for example), tanneries/rawhide supply (both food animals there, or raw materials sent there to process), skilled labor. There is still stigma between Japan nationals and overseas Japanese, but this happens in many places and sometimes there are social changes. Oh, and tagua nut is from S.A. and often turned into beautiful carvings or jewelry. I would think for bachi, it would be finely ground (like when ivory dust would be salvaged) then binders used to hold it together and be formed or cast into shape. Just my thoughts. It would be interesting to see if shamisen craftsmanship develops elsewhere!
I want to give it a go to make my own shamisen, but that will have to wait for now.
