does anyone know if they make white strings for Shamisen? All I have ever seen is yellow. If so, do you know where I might find them?
There’s a store in Kyoto that sells different colored strings.
The yellow is a byproduct of turmeric, which repels insects. I am not sure if the differently colored strings share this property.
I really cannot say if these will work as musical strings… but my guess is they might, esp. if the twist is similar and you get approx same diameter/thickness. – Japanese woodworking “chalk lines”, also traditionally of pure silk and still manufactured. People in Japan who can visit shops, or near Berkeley/San Francisco might be able to look at the products in person-- Hida Tools sells “Takumi Silk Lines”. http://www.hidatool.com/woodworking/layout/ink-lines/takumi-silk-lines
For 3rd nylon string, Tomo Hamel on this forum suggested before that some fishing lines have worked. I’ll add that many fishing lines come in nylon, color white or yellow (e.g., Hi-Vis); and some from Japan even made of Tetoron (a polyester: ester+nylon, trademarked material and often used in clothing) if you look for it and probably online order (vs. fishing tackle or sporting goods shops, too many other selections). The Tetoron polyester is sometimes coated with a resin to give it a smoother finish and water resistance.
The Japanese make lots of fishing goods =). It would be harder to find, but there is even Tako/Octopus line! a nylon with more friction resistance because the octopus hides in rocks and other structures. So in theory, it should not break as much from rough abrasion.
A digital caliper (usually ~$10) can measure the existing strings in mm or inch, then you convert that to breaking strength. For example, ni no ito at .4mm = .015" = #9 chalkline or a 15-lb test fishing line. This is just my guess as I haven’t tried this yet.