Howdy all you lovely Bachidoites!
I felt like I should finally share the exciting news that I now own a Shamisen! I call him Tejas, due to him being from Texas.
Tejas is a Thin Neck Tsugaru, best description for it, with a mesquite Sao and Dou. The itomaki and neck joints are ebony. The Dou is skinned with Goat skin, originally meant for a Djembe or other such type instrument, will probably have it reskinned with calf when it needs it to see the difference in tone. Speaking of tone, the resonance is beautiful and this instrument, arguably this wood, really sings when you get into it. Unfortunately, I am missing the Kamigoma, Sawari peak, and a proper koma. Need to fix those. The luthier, TexasUkes.com, did a fantastic job on (potentially, if you know otherwise please let me know) the first Shamisen made from Mesquite. 
Anyway, just wanted to show it off to you nerds 
thought y’all might appreciate it.
Best Wishes,
Paddy
P.S. here is a close up of the beautiful grain on the Tenjin