It has been five years in the making. Five long years of carefully designing and selecting materials that not only reflect my aesthetics, but have personal significance as well, painstakingly crafting each and every feature, and waiting to begin learning tsugaru shamisen again after years of hiatus. Tsugaru shamisen has had a significant impact on my life, and from my very first humble shamisen made over a decade ago in high school, I wanted to create a custom high-end one that I could enjoy and grow with for years to come.
When I first started the conceptual design of this shamisen, I not only wanted to create my ultimate dream shamisen, but a shamisen of legendary status, pushing the boundaries of modern shamisen design with unique features and a style not previously done before in shamisen making. This build has pushed me to my limits of crafting skill, incorporating both art and engineering to create a one-of-a-kind tsugaru shamisen that I have put every bit of myself into.
I have been sharing progress of the shamisen over the past several months as it neared completion, and have been slowly building up to it. Now, for the first time, I am pleased to officially reveal the completed shamisen – Masamune.
Many thanks to my awesome younger brother Christopher who does amateur photography on the side, and spent many hours helping set up the photoshoot for the official reveal and for taking some really incredible shots. Also big thanks to my friend Chris who did a phenomenal job on the 3D printed itomaki, who originally suggested the idea of pushing the limits with 3D printing these parts and working with me to fine tune a number of prototypes on his home-built 3D printer and providing insight for the heat-fit brass end caps, and to Mark from Machine Technology Inc, who expertly hand-turned the Damascus hardware, and was the only machinist I could find out of dozens in multiple states both able and willing to machine the Damascus parts.
I also wanted to thank my amazing wife Yu-li, who I met years ago because of shamisen, and who has inspired so much of this build and everything else that I do. Also a big shout out to Kyle, whose pioneering work through Bachido and providing detailed resources on shamisen making for the rest of the world has made this build possible.
And finally, a big thanks to the Bachido community for all of your kind words and support. I hope you have enjoyed following along this journey as much as I have sharing it and connecting with others here, and hope you enjoy these final shots of Masamune.
Woods: figured bubinga, curly maple, Australian red mallee burl, curly mahogany, camatillo, gabon ebony
Metals: acid etched damascus style pattern welded carbon steel, 14k rose gold, brass
Other: black Hibiki (skins), 3D printed carbon fiber reinforced nylon (itomaki), hand polished Tru Oil (finish)
(I’d give you a standing ovation but you wouldn’t see it!)