anyone know of a cheap place to get a Doukake? or even a used one someone dont need? Iv got an shamisen from 1918 and dont wana put a shiny new one or spend 100$ on one.
also looking for ether a single brass fitting ( mine is missing 1 ) or a reasonably priced set for tuning peg holes as well as possibly some new pegs.
I made my doukake and it came out great! It wasn’t even that hard to make! Now, the brass, I think you need to buy.
Looks good, any threads on how to make one? i have np making stuff
You did a FANTASTIC job restoring your nagauta! - either, get Kyle’s book “Shamisen of Japan” - you can get it here, or on Amazon, or look in the “construction” part of the forum right here on Bachido.
Let me see if I can link MY thread when I made my doukake - it’s super easy, just takes a lot of drying time …
Okay, here is my thread from when I made mine … It kind of starts in the middle of the process …
Saran wrap your dou - Basically, take your shamisen apart, leaving just the dou. Wrap the dou in Saran Wrap. I mean, REALLY wrap it - going both ways - you don’t want to get it wet!
Basically, making a doukake is paper mache … covered with cloth
Make your paper doukake form - get Brawny paper towels, or some other thick cloth-like paper towel - the other ones are too thin - and soak one sheet at a time with Mod Podge. (In his book, Kyle says to use Elmer’s but I found that too thick. If you DO use Elmer’s, thin it out with some water.) Start layering and smoothing the glue-soaked paper towel over where the doukake would go. Smooth it as you go, making sure not to rip the paper, and smooth out any “lumpiness” as you go. Put Saran Wrap over THAT, and let it “set” overnight. In the morning, take off the Saran Wrap, and let it completely finish drying.
Now you have your “form” - it’s really big! You’ll have to measure the sides and cut down - measure them a quarter inch bigger, because you might have difficulty cutting the form, and you want leeway to even it out after cutting the form so that it’s “doukake-sized”. After that, sand it so that it’s nice and smooth - I didn’t do this and mine came out a little lumpy.
Now you have a nice shell! I think you can see the rest in the thread - let me know if you have any questions! 
ty ill give that a read, seems like something i can do np, one qu tho when wrapping it in cloth/silk do you also wrap the inside? seems like i should to help protect the dou
You put paper in the inside. Sorry, I forgot that part, lol. Cut a “doukake-sized” piece of paper (make sure there is enough to go up the sides on the inside), and then cut little slits in it to make sure that it goes around the curves … and then cut a strip that goes around the parts that “hang down”.
Then, I took a hole puncher, punched two holes in each end, and used matching embroidery thread, which I braided together, to make the part that ties onto the shamisen.
right on ty.
Here is the original thread that inspired me to make my doukake …
And here are some photos of my finished doukake and tenjin cap. (Made the cap basically by using the same techniques as the doukake).
haha, I was so anal retentive that I went and bought decorative scrapbook paper for the INSIDE of the doukake.
Good Luck! Please let us see how it went!
I wasted no time, I happened to have some cast-strips and newspaper so i got to it. I used cloth from an old pillow case.
it fits nice and snug, i dont even need the strings, ill add them later though.
I think its a bit wide around the edge but it dont seem to effect the sound. if it does ill make another.
WOW! I can’t believe you made that so fast! Great job, that looks AWESOME!!
Ya, it’s a little wide, but you could always cut it down if you need to. Easier to take away than add. Wow, seriously, that came out great!
Yoku yatta!
Awesome, Jesse! Tis a bit wide, but that’s just style! Actually, I think the width of the doukake fits well with the skin, koma and neo. It is quite stylish.
Good job, bro!
TY its a bit of a curve to learn to play its alot more complex then i first thought, plus i cant play normal guitar lol, but im watching your vids on here (ty for doing this btw) and a few dif ones on youtube and just having fun with it trying to work those fingers in and just gain the muscle memory, im interested and enjoying it so in the end thats all that matters
That’s all that counts, and once you see how much fun everyone has here, you’ll just get better and more enthusiastic.
Please post a video of your playing! If you get shy because you don’t think you’re good enough - DONT! There are players of all levels here I’m pretty bad, but everyone just encourages me and gives me tips, which has only served to make me practice harder and better and be encouraged. So, don’t you be shy.
XOXO Lorraine
I agree! We always encourage shamisen enthusiasts of all levels to post videos here. No matter your skill level, it’s great for the comradery and seeing a member’s practice video encourages us all to practice. And as Lorraine said, everyone is encouraging and gives tips.