Thanks! New Shamisen from Shamisen Katoh

General
#1

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I’ve been traveling around Japan the past couple of weeks and hearing some good music here and there featuring shamisen. I’ve always been intrigued by shamisen, but really got the bug on this trip.

Wondering how best to learn, where to buy a shamisen, what kind to buy, google leads me to Bachido where lo and behold, I’m not alone. I got a wealth of information and resources here, and when I got to Tokyo a couple days ago I made my way to Shamisen Katoh and bought a beautiful instrument.

When I mentioned that I found the shop through Bachido, I got a warm welcome - bordering on the royal treatment.

Thanks to all!

I’m a guitar, mandolin and weissenborn player for 40 years, so I have a fighting chance - with a lot of work and some help - of actually being able to play this thing. Now begins the fun part.

Ken
Chicago, IL
sent from Tokyo

#2

Hi Ken!! Welcome to the Bachido forum! Glad you have emerged from the lurking shadows. :slight_smile:

Awesome!! This morning, I saw a pic of you and Katoh san together on his facebook page, and I thought, “I wonder if he’s on Bachido?”

That is awesome. Katoh san looks so stoked. It sure looks like it was an enjoyable time!! I’m happy that Bachido members have been popping into his shop recently. I think he really, really enjoys it.

Oh snap, you’ve got more than a fighting chance, bro! :slight_smile: You’ll certainly rock it. You may even notice that your mandolin playing will change. I’ve been playing mando since I was 7, and sure noticed that I suddenly approached it with more attack after starting shamisen.

Glad you are here, and sounds like a nice time in Tokyo.

Enjoy the sakura! :slight_smile:

Kyle Abbott

#3

That’s so rad! Congrats on the new shamisen, and welcome to the social-side of Bachido~

Best wishes on your quest of taming the shamisen; you’ll do awesome!

#4

welcome to the forum you lucky chap!
Looks a nice one to start learning with…

#5

Welcome! That is a beautiful shamisen. Hope you enjoy your stay and keep us posted on how the playing goes~!

#6

Thanks everybody for the welcome and encouragement.

Now off to the wood shed with my new shamisen.

#7

congrats yes I was just going through some older threads and also had stumbled upon a cool interview with the man recently so here is the link . . .

http://nipponscape.com/2009/03/10/shamisenkatoh/

#8

BH - Thanks so much for the link. What a great story, and it’s especially nice to have a little more background on the man himself.

© 2020 Kyle Abbott