I bought a Sanshin instead of a Shamisen, I have yet to use it and I was wondering if the positions are the same and if I could be directed towards the correct place to buy a Chimi, until then, I am going to be using a guitar pick, because the Chimi and the Guitar pick seem very similar.
I will get a tsugaru Shamisen eventually…
no the sanshin finger positions are different. You can purchase shamisen from this site. I’m not sure what a chimi is…
The chimi is the over-the-finger, slightly hooked “pick” that is used for sanshin instead of a shamisen-style bachi - see an example of one here: http://www.ayahabirudou.com/?pid=22240498.
If you like, you can get chimi from Chords Canada (www.chordscanada.com) - they ship around the world.
(Ethical confession of conflict of interest-I work there. 
)
Hmm, well, technically the sanshin has the same “positions” as a shamisen, but just spaced differently because the neck length is different. To put it simply, you can play shamisen songs on a sanshin, just like you can play sanshin songs on a shamisen (Asadoya Yunta, for example). The positions will just be closer together, because the neck of a sanshin is shorter.
Though it’s not shown in the store, we can easily get you a Chimi, and ship around the world too. Plus, if your package is big enough, it’ll come with a super-cute sticker on the box that says, “Frangile” 
Hi Jacob,
I have a sanshin and the notes are more or less the same except for one (that I know of). There is no real first position, if you play it in the right place, the neck starts at the second position, so its not easy to play things in the minor “scale”, it does give the instrument a very happy, bright sound though.
Other than that I would say go for it! The sanshin is a fun little instrument to play and will get you used to playing something that has no frets.
I’ve always called the pick a tsume, I’ve never heard chimi before but I like it!
P.S if you are confused just let me know I will put a video up or something to show you what I mean.
Kyle, I want a “Frangile” sticker!!! 
Jacob, it must have been a good start to go to tsugaru shamisen. I actually wanted to get sannshin in Okinawa. Sansin is so charming and what I missed to buy one there. Tugaru shamisen must be your ultimate goal and sannshin was not a waste. I am still thinking of getting one if there is a chance.