When I bought my shamisen, it came with a few extras…rotting yubikake that fell apart, one set of replacements strings (still untested but I am changing one of them NOW), a wooden bachi with a dented corner, case with a missing leg…and…a SMALL BAG of what feels like small ROCKS…?
Anyone? I’m dying here…Not sure what it is, scared to open it, hahaha.
sounds interesting guess they may either be special rocks or tiny rocks in a bag to keep the moisture out of the case?
Go pieces?
Moth balls???
If it is a small bag surely they are for absorb humidity. If they are big rocks surely are relics from Fujisan!! XD
Maybe these will work just as well:
But without manchego cheese 
Haha I don’t think cheese will smell very nicely 
Speaking of which, cheese will be my future snack, together with dried meat. It’s time to stop eating candy and chocolate.
way to go Karl sounds like you are really getting into a healthier lifestyle food wise . . . I am one to talk haha
Hahahahahaha!!!
Sorry to hear that Neil, but somehow the way this thread has evolved is just so epic.
I’d say, strap on a gas mask and open the bag. Oh! Have a camera rolling as well in case it’s blogworthy.
Oh the dangers of used Shamisen shopping, haha.
I’m guessing it’s anti-humidifiers as well.
Neil, for your safety, — it is not so dangerous ----- I guess, I checked Japanese desiccant, or neo drier used for snack food to keep fresh.
The bag I found at home says, do not eat, do not open, keep out of reach of children. Keep dry.
It is quite likely for a Japanese shamisen user to put with such unnecessary drier in a case.
I usually throw drier into a trash can, so why not do the same before you open.
The funny thing is…I have a gas mask. I am US Air Force stationed in Korea. North and south are still at war…I have body armor and chemical warfare gear, hahahaha…DARE ME TO open it with gear on! hahahaha
…
DARE ME TO open it with gear on! hahahaha
Ho my … we need a series of pictures when you do that 
I dare you! 
But like Florian says, pics or it didn’t happen!
ditto!
actually i think kimchi is more dangerous…
god, the stuff my brother bought home certainly was…
sounds like frontpage picture material coming up . . .
I am going to get these pics done…I just want to wait until the pending storm disaster passes us here in Korea…
If worse comes to worse, I may have to use my shamisen as a paddle to survive!!! OH THE HORROR! I just hope everyone in Japan is doing OK…
We are ok in Japan with this typhoon this time,thanks for your consideration. I really hope you do not have to use your precious instrument to survive. This typhoon seems to be hitting west side of Korean peninsula. It is a very strange direction. They usually hit Japan or go away through Pacific ocean.
Anyway, give a full alert, Neil!!!