New here, just got my first shamisen

General
#1

Hey there everyone, about 8 years ago I saw the yoshida brothers live here in Victoria BC Canada and was blown away at the instrument. for years I could not get the want for one out of my head, and randomly I spotted an old one on fleebay with low bids and only a day left…
Said its from 1925 and looked to be in good shape. I got it for a very low bid, a bit shocked actually comparing other prices and its age/shape

I read a bit and watched a few videos of craftsmen making them, and learned how to skin them, So i ordered 2 goat skins, and made a block, i failed with my clamp idea so i just did the old drum method and that seemed to work well, I made my own riceglue, and again a bit shocked at how well it worked.
my Roommate made me a koma as he repairs guitars alot and makes his own bridges all the time.

I tied my own neo and Got it all together and it actually sounds pretty good, although it is missing one of the brass fitting for tuning pegs, but i just drilled a new hole and shoved it farther in and seems to work.

Also wondering if anyone could shed any light on the type i have and writing inside…


now the slow/fun process of learning how to play.

#2

First picture : Nagoya city + name of the quarter (not really easy to read) + name of manufacturer + name of employee
Second picture : date, taisho 7, march (1918 !!!)
Third picture : name of owner (not sure)

Everything is old language not so easy to transcribe

I hope that helps. Welcome in shamisen world.

#3

Welcome to Bachido, Jesse! Awesome to see you’ve got a shamisen and have successfully repaired it! Good job! :slight_smile: It looks very nice.

Thanks for translating the inside of the dou, Patrick! I was interested too. :slight_smile:

#4

Wow, beautiful work, Jesse! Welcome to Bachido!

You posted about needing a doukake in another thread - but a lot of people here have made their own quite inexpensively! See the construction thread, or check out Kyle’s book.

© 2020 Kyle Abbott