Help Me Identify Shamisen

General
#1

I recently purchased a Shamisen at an auction and need some help identifying its maker if possible. It has a 3pc Mitsuori style neck of a very dark tight grained wood. It appears to be complete except for the skins and bridge.

It was purchased from the estate of an ex CIA officer who was presented it as a gift from a high ranking Japanese Diplomat in the 1950’s. He claims that it is more than a 100 years old.

It has some Japanese lettering inside that I need help identifying. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Album] Imgur

#2

Hi Ken, it is a thin neck nagauta type shamisen. It looks like it is made of kouki and karin, the best quality woods. I don’t know if it is 100 years old but it is definitely very old. It seems to be in good shape and well worth repairing.

#3

Ken,
I can only read the kanji 上 which means “up”.
The other one I do not recognize. Best guess it is either
Someone’s name or simple instructions so you know which
Angle should fit etc.

#4

Hi Michael, Thanks for the great information you provided regarding my shamisen! Did you happen to notice the Japanese writing on the inside of the body. I am curious if anyone on this site may be able to interpret that writing for me.

#5

Hi Ken,
Haha. We must have been posting at the same time…

#6

Hi Kevin, Too funny - “great minds think alike” Thanks for providing one more piece to my puzzle. I wonder if this will be an easy transition from my bass playing to a funky slap style shamsen. lol

#7

Welcome to Bachido, Ken!

Wow… that sure looks vintage. Michael, did you notice the width/shape of the chibukura on the tenjin? I could be wrong, but it seems wider than tenjin nowadays.

As Kevin said, 上 means up (“This Side Up”), I bet the other kanji is the name of the maker.

I wonder if this will be an easy transition from my bass playing to a funky slap style shamsen. lol

Any previous experience with stringed instruments will help with shamisen. :slight_smile: Stringed instruments share a special connection where learning one will help with learning another, and on and on. (Definitely, Learning shamisen has influenced my mandolin playing)

These shots are very, very cool!

© 2020 Kyle Abbott