hey I’m going to get a new koma for my nagauta (plastic one has recently killed a few of my strings D: ) and I was not sure which one I should get, although the Bekkou Koma did seem like something i would want. opinions would be appreciated ^.^
ooo ^^
might be worth looking into a new koma myself,
i heard it does help give the sound a new “flavour”
without a shamisen I can’t really say anything except have you already watched the blogcast on komas?
Bekkou or Zouge. I like zouge myself but since you’re playing nagauta, you may like a warmer tone. In which case you would want to go with a bekkou.
But, the difference isn’t HUGE, so I would also suggest fitting whatever is cheaper as an option too.
I agree with Grant, bekkou will balance it out more if u want a tsugaru sound but really it’s all just down to your personal preference, any Koma will work for your shamisen no matter what type it is 
Hi Harrison,
If you’re playing nagauta style, you would traditionally use a full bone (for practice) or full ivory koma (for performance); either of which I’m sure Kyle could get for you! But, like everyone else said, if you want to play tsugaru, use either the bekkou or zouge with the bamboo base. I have to go with Grant though - the more zouge the better!!! (Sorry elephants…)
ah thanks guys, very helpful! i think i shall go with the bekkou as i do like a more bass like sound, when i get better and actually able to learn nagauta pieces i will probably look into getting a more suited one ^.^
what is a typical minyou koma then?
I have never had problems with plastic koma cutting the strings. Maybe you just need to get a new one, or maybe even use a file or something on the offending koma.
I think Cana tossed “the offending koma” away and made a brand new one from scratch which I shall try doing this weekend myself
cool links on your profile page I enjoyed the clip and will check out the blog too . . .
What is a typical minyou koma then?
Has an answer been given to this question ? Thanks to the sensei there.
Yup, well actually it shattered into about a million pieces and i lost them. XD My mr.stick koma is still a stick and standing true as the best koma I could ever have.
Its birch, nice and soft ish on the skin and wont cut the strings.
I have had 0 problems with my koma.
Thanks Cana and sorry for your koma. I just wondered if a particular koma is needed to play minyou. I couldn’t find it in Gerry’s thesis. I know a shuuzao shamisen is generally used (but in this case with an azuma sawari) , a bigger bachi too, but nothing about the koma. Does a nagauta koma fits ?
Noooo, new bekkou and new ivory are BAD. Please reconsider contributing to an industry which utilizes endangered species. Will there REALLY be THAT much of a difference in sound between a wooden koma, and a koma made of turtle, or of elephant tusks? I watched the blogcast, and to me, there are MANY factors that could alter the sound, not just the material - has anyone considered that the depth of the string groove could also be a factor? The bekkou bachi in the above video had very deep string grooves, making more vibration against the sides. Even with all of this, I really didn’t hear that much of a difference in the sound, certainly not enough to contribute to killing off an endangered species.
I’m not trying to start an argument or a discussion of ecology or animal rights or anything - I’m just begging you to consider this when using these materials. I promise I won’t judge you if you buy it, I’m just asking you guys to think about this before you buy, that’s all.
(Kyle, do you have any koma made with faux-bekkou? Or, how about using vegetable ivory (tagua nut) for koma? The nut isn’t big enough to carve a bachi, but it’s certainly big enough for komas.)
Respectfully submitted, Lorraine XOXO
Patrick, I just checked online. It seems minyo koma are about 12mm tall.
Lorraine, that’s a great idea!! Yes, faux bekkou and faux zouge are available, I believe. I will say there is a big difference between bamboo and those materials, but I’m sure the difference between faux and 本物 are negligible.
Okay! I’m gonna ask Nitta san now!
interesting kyle! 
My stick koma is about 9-10mm tall so not too off
A little late, but thanks Kyle and Cana