The Abbotts don’t watch much tv, but we’ve been shameless fans of Survivor since the first season in 2000. Well, 13 years later, I have heard something in Survivor which I’ve never heard before - shamisen! Needless to say, I was giddy like a little schoolgirl.
I wouldn’t necessarily call Survivor part of pop culture, but just the fact that shamisen is an audible instrument of a major series? That is saying something!
Pretty Crazy Kyle! Who was it in the Sound track!???
awesome although I never watched that of course I tossed out a bulkier tv years ago and am an on demand watcher of things via the internet only since then and strangely that seems to work out fine too . . .
I never would have guessed that you were into Survivor…
Kevin, I have no idea! Perhaps… Mike Penny???
BH, Cool beans! Do you have netflix over there?
Eric, Hahaha!! I always get a kick when someone says, “I never would have guessed that you were into…” 
I remember when I posted that I’d be going to a metal show, and Ortjo replied with, “I just cannot see Kyle in a mosh pit.”
Anywho, yes, Survivor is the only reality show I watch. I think it really brings people to their natural selves. Most reality shows put a dozen of people in an luxury environment which indulges their egos, neurotic tendencies and thirst for fame. Well, Survivor places people in the middle of nowhere with very little food. Without room for civilized indulgences, the people instantly become much more real, as they’re faced with real reality.
Though I’ve never watched or followed survivor myself I can totally see the appeal by reading your description! Awesome!
Old man here. Served in Vietnam(1966-67) as a Marine and have no need to watch survivor. However, while listening to the New Lost City Ramblers, I would think the Shamisen would be a welcome sound for the old appalachian folk music that Mose Asche thankfully recorded years ago. Any opinions?
New Lost City Ramblers was one of my favorite groups before I got into shamisen. I really appreciate Mike Seeger’s work of bringing in folks like Kilby Snow, Buell Kazee, Roscoe Holcomb and such players. I’ve finally started trying those songs (Come Thou Fount, The Cuckoo, Golden Vanity, etc) on shamisen, and am almost surprised how fitting it is. The shamisen and those Appalachian folk songs are incredibly compatible.
When you get a shamisen made and operational, I’d highly recommend trying those songs if you know them. It’s very satisfying to play.
Thanks Kyle. I’ll do just that. Making my own Shamisen (and Koto eventually) is incredibly spiritual and I will savor every hour in my shop. I use hand tools as much as possible, and Roy Underhill is one of my heros. He does for woodworking what Mike Seeger did for music.
Haha! You probably have the most awesome profile picture on here, Phil! Just need a shamisen strapped to your back and you’re ready to ride!
I’ve noticed that too. Admittedly, I didn’t have an incredible social life once I started making shamisen simply because working in the shop was so fulfilling. These days, I don’t have much time to make things in the shop anymore, but man it sure feels great to get back in there.
I agree about the hand tools. Power tools have the illusion of saving time. Granted, it is useful for certain cuts, but all in all, hand tools are so much more relaxing and accurate to use. My dad feels the same way about sewing machines. He talks how enjoyable it was to sit under a tree in Africa and sew his own clothes. Once he got a sewing machine, it became too fast and stressful for him.
Has anyone here read “The Art of the Japanese Sword” by Kunihira Kawachi and Masao Manabe?
One of my favorite quotes from the book is “It will not do to use a machine if you cannot do it by hand. Once you understand that, then you can use one all you like.”
I’m going to read “The Art of the Japanese Sword” as soon as possible. Thanks for the tip Cody.
It has absolutely nothing to do with shamisen, but it gives you a lot of respect for the process of forging a gleaming nihonto by hand, from what basically started out as a pile of ore and charcoal.
Understand, but it has a lot to do with “building and creating” your own shamisen. Almost religious work habits.
Regards
Almost religious work habits.
That’s true. Over the years I’ve noticed a lot of concepts and techniques that are pretty universal among traditional Japanese crafts.
Almost religious work habits.
That’s true. Over the years I’ve noticed a lot of concepts and techniques that are pretty universal among traditional Japanese crafts.
Japanese Joinery is beyond belief. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. I have tried some of the joints from the books that I have just to see if I can do it. I modified them somewhat to partially use the dovetail templates that I have. Others I tried to wing it with protractor and made several partial templates. Doing some of these freehand the way they do is incredible.
Japanese joinery is an obsession of mine. It is so far beyond what anyone else has ever done, and sadly it is a craft that is dangerously close to being forgotten. My dream job would be as a sukiya-daiku or Miya-daiku, but alas there’s not too much demand for those anymore.
I highly recommend reading “the genius of japanese carpentry” and “the complete japanese joinery” (that last one is out of print and pretty rare) if you haven’t already.
Also if you ever need any help with joint layouts or doing any cool projects just message me and I would be more than happy to help you out.
Getting back to Appalacian music for a bit, I have a Ban-jammer (a cross between an Appalachian dulcimer and a banjo). I should change the tuning on it and try a Tsugaru piece to see what it sounds like.