I noticed that my tuning pegs are black. And I’ve seen some people that are white. When I try looking to buy new tuning pegs they don’t sell it here.
Is it possible that they color it white? Is there any sites that sell the tuning pegs (on the top of the Shamisen)
Hey Kevin-I just wrote you a PM.
Well I can`t speak for every Shamisen maker and every store etc.
I have mostly dealt with Shamisen Katoh in Tokyo. So speaking from that experience he told me that he makes each set of tuning pegs specifically for each Shamisen individually.
The color is almost always a result of whatever the material is being used to make the pegs.
Damn… now I am super late for work… talk to everyone later!!!
do each of the tuning pegs has to fit in a certain Shamisen. Or they make all the tuning pegs the same measurement. Because I have a Naguate Shamisen and I really want to get a White tuning pegs because - I notice in some videos the white ones look bigger and longer. Looks easier to tune- mines are small I can take a picture of my Shamisen(its actually my first one)
Hey Kevin, I don’t have near as much experience as some of our fellow members, but having dealt with the same thing, I can say, yes! The tsugaru shamisens itomaki (tuning pegs)are much thicker and stronger to accomodate the larger string gauges. I have a jiuta as well as a tsugaru, I got the jiuta first because some villain labeled it as a “tsugaru” on e-bay ( I guess I was asking for that huh… :/) I erroneously put tsugaru shamisen strings on it and kept wondering why the pegs were slipping! So yes, you are correct in the assumption that there are different sizes. As for your question about the different materials used to make the itomaki, I believe “the white ones” are simply painted white with acrylic paint. Am I wrong guys? Kyle lays all this info out very clearly in the “Styles of Shamisen” section of this website.
I think you can get ivory pegs as well, although if you do not have access to a frozen mammoth or elephant carcass, I guess it will be hard to get? Maybe there is fake ivory pegs?
Or make some out of bone.haha
Hey Jonathan,
Well said! 
As for the acrylic itomaki, they are actually made from solid acrylic (or some plastic). It was difficult for me to find acrylic thick enough to make itomaki, so I just painted the handles white, and included that in the book. (Since it’s purely aesthetic, it doesn’t really matter)
Recently though, I found a source that sells cheap 1.5" thick white Acetal rods. That worked rrreaaallllly good, and so have updated the book to recommend that material for white itomaki.
Hey Kevin,
For nagauta shamisen, the two most popular options are ebony wood (the black ones that are on most shamisen) and ivory. Most styles aside from Tsugaru, Gidayu, and Jiuta use the thinnest itomaki. Itomaki made for nagauta shamisen will generally fit other nagauta shamisen, but there is the possibility of slippage and they also might not be the correct length.
Many stores will sell you another set of itomaki, but real ivory ones can cost over 800 USD, and they are sized to specifically fit your shamisen to ensure that there are no problems. Ivory pegs are normally used on the most expensive shamisen, and are considered a sign of pride. They actually make no difference in the sound produced, but are a way of showing you have a good quality (read: expensive) shami.
I do not think that you would be able to fit tsugaru pegs onto a nagauta sized tenjin because the pegs would be too long, and they might stick out of the other side. Your options are limited, but maybe you can try to make tsugaru style pegs that would fit a nagauta shamisen! It could be a hit!
I see. One question - this is a different subject. But I’m curious on what’s the difference between a Naguate vs Tsugaru (Shamisen) other than the “Itomaki” - one is bigger than the other. Is there anything else.
I looked at the level 1 Tsugaru on the site. (not sure it has the adjuster for the buzzing) I know that the Naguate doesn’t have a adjuster for the buzzing thing
Kevin Ho,
Chuzao (middle sized Shamisen) actually does come with Sawari (buzzer) sometimes (not always). Not sure about Hosozao. The ones I have seen and touched have never had Sawari. “Tsugaru” is actually Not the name for a type of Shamisen. It refers simply to the style as in “Tsugaru-style Shamisen”. The type used for Tsugaru is the Futozao which just means the “Biggest” size.
But it can be used for other styles besides Tsugaru so just having a Futozao does not automatically make it a “Tsugaru Shamisen”.
Oh and by the way (forgive me for being stuffy)… Naguate is actually spelled
“Nagauta”. In Japanese NAGA (coming from the word Nagai) means “Long” and UTA means song. NAGA-UTA means Long song. In Geisha culture they would sometimes play shorter songs for entertainment so the Nagauta Shamisen is a reference to longer naratives (like for epic storytelling) .
P.S.
Did you get Ink? I am ready with the Ac/Dc tabs whenever you tell me you are Ready!..just let me know!
Rock On!
but in performance - looks and etc. The Bachido website store.
The level 1 Tsugaru Shamisen ($600.00) pricing is it better compare to the Naguata Shamisen. (I have a Naguata Shamisen) - do you need to see a picture and maybe you can determine.
Hey Kevin H,
Futozao shamisen that are in the Tsugaru style are the most expensive shamisen by nature. For one, the size of the neck is thicker, and it uses more wood.
Other differences are in the skin used. Hosozao shamisen (used for Nagauta, Kouta etc) uses the belly of the dog or cat, which is the thinnest and most fragile part which will produce the proper sound for the genre. Tsugaru uses the backside of the dog, where the skin is thicker. As we all know, Tsugaru requires a very rapid and heavy bachi syle, and the skin has to be thicker to withstand the beating that goes along with the style.
Nagauta with real dog skin are normally around 700 dollars new. Tsugaru with real dog skin are generally around 1,000 dollars new. Anything below 1,000 and you are either buying a used shami (which can be a great deal!), or you are looking at a shamisen with synthetic skin.
Do not worry too much about buying a beginner level Tsugaru shamisen for now. You can get by with a nagauta shamisen for Tsugaru, using the correct koma and bachi. You just have to be a little bit gentler on the Nagauta shamisen to be careful you do not break the skin.
I would say you should wait until you are ready to upgrade to around a level 3 or higher shamisen rather than investing in a Level 1 with fake skins, because chances are: your nagauta shamisen makes a better sound.
The Level 1 Tsugaru Shami doesn’t have Sawari installed, but Level 2 does. Its not an absolutely necessary option, but its found on higher level shamisen for Folk Songs, Tsugaru, and like Keven K. said: sometimes Jiuta.
Seriously though, just wait until you can afford a level 3 or above. Anything below would be a waste of money since you already have a shamisen that can teach you the basics of playing. When you become more advanced, and feel up to making the investment, then you should definitely upgrade to a Tsugaru shamisen. Until then, happy practicing!
(Joseph M.)+ (Kevin K.) + (Kyle A.) and (everybody) Should I do a video - so you and others can see my Shamisen set and give ideas.
Like to upgrade - the bachi, koma, or switch to a Tsugaru Shamisen (and etc)
If you feel up to putting a video, Id be happy to help tell you what you would need to change, if anything! ^^
I bought a shamisen in Okinawa 1960-1962. I have only one of the original tuning pegs remaining. It’s ebony and ivory (or bone) in the rosette design. Is there any way of finding similar tuning pegs anywhere?