Hi everyone,
I’ve posted a few times but am not really (yet) a familiar face here, but I’m working on a project about Bachido and I’d love to hear your stories.
First, about myself and the project: I’m a graduate student in Toronto, researching the relationship between communications technologies and culture. I’m also a new shamisen player, brought to this instrument through the enthusiasm and passion of this community. What really got my attention is how tightly knit this community is - I can see a lot of significant international relationships here. It’s also amazing to see people planning to travel so far to compete in the Hirosaki Taikai.
So, I’m creating a short interactive documentary about this community. It will be presented as a website and will be completed by mid-April. I’d like to explore the types of friendships that have formed here and how shamisen culture is being spread to various countries. I’ve talked to some members individually, but I thought it’d be nice to hear from more of you. I’d like to hear as many stories as possible, and hopefully be able to present a reasonable overview of this site.
So, if you’d like, please consider sharing some of your stories about Bachido. Here’s mine:
How did you become interested in the shamisen?
Years ago, I discovered the Japanese band Number Girl (a great, pixies-ish rock band). They blew my mind, and led me to discover other Japanese bands like Shiina Ringo, Shugo Tokumaru, and a host of others. Most of the bands I listened to at that time were guitar based, but occasionally I’d hear a shamisen somewhere in the mix. The banjo-like twang of the shamisen grabbed my attention, and I eventually considered learning how to play. However, being a long-time guitar player, I was initially dissuaded by the high price of a shamisen (Next to mass-produced guitars, hand-crafter shamisen are pricy!). So for several years, my interest in the shamisen remained casual, although I did eventually buy a Chinese sanxian as a cheaper alternative.
What was your introduction to Bachido?
I don’t remember exactly how I found this site first, but it immediately struck me as a close, active community. Most of all, I find the members of this site to be really enthusiastic. I think Kyle leads the charge on this and it’s contagious. I was really engaged watching videos of the Rokudan challenge - it’s amazing to see so many players at different skill-levels working together to support each other.
Have you met anyone from Bachido in person?
Not yet, but I discovered that I used to work at the same office as Josh in Japan. Pretty wild that now, a few years later and on the other side of the world, I’m bumping into someone who shares so many mutual friends and stories from the same town. I’ve also been shopping at Chords Canada, and will meet its owner (and Bachido member) Linda Caplan next week.
What’s special about this community?
I love seeing culture shared across the world. Cultural globalization all too often means western culture burying local traditions, but the Internet has started leveling the field. Bachido is a great example of people from all over the world celebrating Japanese culture and adding their own twists to it. I want to see the shamisen become an international instrument, used in all styles of music, and I think this community is starting that process. People like Kevin Kmetz and Masahiro Nitta are pushing a traditional style forward by adding international elements - Bachido is really doing the same thing.
What do you think of the Hirosaki Taikai?
It’s amazing. I’m jealous of the people that are participating. Once I get some more practice under my belt I hope I can participate. I can’t wait to hear how it goes and hopefully see lots of video of the performances.
That was a long post! But I wanted to introduce myself properly before asking you to share your stories. Hope you’ll share, and I hope this provides a good chance to reflect on what this community means to us. Even though I’ve largely been a lurker, it’s still had a pretty big impact on me.
FYI, it’s best to book an appointment in advance (to make sure someone is available to give you personalized attention). Also, you should know that Chords is not a retail store. So while people can come in, meet/see my staff (or me), order and pick up their desired products, etc., there are no products on display and nothing to actually see or browse through in the office (because everything is out in the secured warehouse area). So I don’t know if “making a day” of Chords would be all that exciting for anyone… :-/ But don’t let me discourage you from doing it if you want!