Greetings everyone…
what is a general good length of a Sao from the tenjin to the dou
and recommended string distance from the Tenjin to the koma?
just trying to get an idea of the instruments length.
Thanks
Terry
Welcome to Bachido, Terry! 
In Gerry McGoldrick’s great thesis on Tsugaru Shamisen (http://bachido.com/community/articles/the-tsugaru-jamisen-its-origins-construction-and-music), he says the distance from the kamigoma (metal nut on the tenjin) to the koma is roughly 79cm.
Are you planning to build your own shamisen? If so, you may be interested in my book, Shamisen of Japan. (http://bachido.com/products/shamisen-of-japan) It has specific dimensions, templates and instructions to guide you through making an entire tsugaru shamisen yourself.
Cheers!
Kyle Abbott
sadly I’m on a very tight budget ATM, and can’t afford your book. Anyway I could get a copy of just the plans?
could you email me a copy of the pdf Tsugaru jamisum origins plz I would like to read that for sure.