Your suggestions for improving the Bachido Store

Store/Sales
#1

On the forum, some folks have been recently talking about their favorite shamisen shops… that aren’t the Bachido Store. :wink: Nothing wrong with that. In fact, I would like to hear from people who have favorite shops to buy their shami-gear.

My goal, whether attainable or not, is to make the Bachido Store the #1 place where everyone, novices and experienced players, want to get shamisen goodies, So in all honesty, what do you like in other shamisen shops that you would hope to see in the Bachido Store?

Making Bachido the best is my intention, so all feedback is appreciated. :slight_smile:

Note, prices of some products are a little steep, but they will go down as Masahiro gets more direct connections with the makers.

Thanks in advance for your responses!! :slight_smile:

#2

Well, at the moment I just like to go into a physical store to talk with the people and see everything in person while I have that option. I’ll be making use of the Bachido store while I’m in America though.

What is this business about direct connections with the makers and people not talking about their suppliers and stuff? Makes it sound like some kind of black market.

Is there some way you can ever in the future make other shop’s signature products, like the Mugen 21, or Beniya’s electric shamisen available through Bachido? I think that would be pretty cool, but I don’t know how open these places would be to a partnership.

Other than that, the decorative options seem a little limited, such as the non-Nitta doukake.

I think you’re on the right track though, and while I haven’t purchased anything from the Bachido store, lurking around the site gave me the resolve to dive in to the world of Shamisen. At the very least I’ll finally pick up a copy of your book when I return to the states.

#3

^.^ well to be honest the prices are abit steep on some things, kamaya site is abit friendlier pricewise, But this site has far more items i think. Aswell as pink Yubikake… although i like the shade of pink on the neo more then the Yubikake’s fushia… if you could get one in that colour and maybe match the price of kameya’s 735JPYEN
(http://www.e-kameya.com/english/accessory.html)
Maybe sell dog and cat skin aswell? (not sure on how legal that is but might be worth reading if i can find it…

Selling more variety of cases? and cheaper stands maybe. Other then that (sorry to stack)
I truly love the store, very informative and very kyle abbott haha ^^ lol being able to parkour because you can use a guitarstrap. That kind of stuff you find in nobody elses stores. ^.^ its very awsome and i like it.

But like you said the prices will go down as the items become easier for you guys to stock up on.

Maybe show the cow kawahari shamisen sounds on each shamisen versus dog and cat? And a vid of every type of bachi on those kawahari.

Would be really cool, not required but that may just be for my own interest. I’m somewhat limited on the information I can gather from this angle at this point in time.
Also if you could sell the synthetic skins? (plastic ones) would be nice to have a site you can stock up on supplies for all your shamisen needs ^^

Just some ideas
~cana

#4

Kameya is nice because they have an good selection and extensive website (much better in Japanese). They can also passably speak English to answer questions and meet face to face if you are in Tokyo.

Tsuruya Sangenten in Higashinihonbashi is currently doing work on my shamisen. But they are nagauta/jiuata specialists. In fact they said they normally only skin using cat. It is not easy to contact them either. But they have been in the same place for 100 years and are top notch if you need work done.

As a jiuta player one problem with Bachido is the focus on all things tsugaru. I am sure you can get anything we ask for but it would take a lot more back an forth.

The other less obvious problem for anything from Japan is the very high shipping costs. Shops normally minimize this by having large orders. But putting together individual orders for shipping from Japan can be expensive. You should smuggle as much stuff as you can in your luggage on your return trips from Japan!

#5

Well, at the moment I just like to go into a physical store to talk with the people and see everything in person while I have that option. I’ll be making use of the Bachido store while I’m in America though.

That’s the experience I want to try to go for over the internet. Do you think that could be done if I had a product explanation video for every item in the store? I’m bringing the camera gear to Sapporo, so I’d probably be able to do that.

What is this business about direct connections with the makers and people not talking about their suppliers and stuff?

Well, in our case, we want to get direct connections with the makers in order to lower prices. The supplier has a price to make some profit, and then we have to raise that a bit more to make it worth the expense of selling it ourselves. Buying direct from the maker will help bring that down.

I think most people don’t talk about their suppliers for the same reason most don’t share knowledge on how to build shamisen. Just the natural instinct of keeping your knowledge/advantages secret,

Is there some way you can ever in the future make other shop’s signature products, like the Mugen 21, or Beniya’s electric shamisen available through Bachido? I think that would be pretty cool, but I don’t know how open these places would be to a partnership.

Oh! That would definitely be doable!! Katou san is very supportive
of Bachido, so I think it would be no problem at all. Great idea! :smiley:

Other than that, the decorative options seem a little limited, such as the non-Nitta doukake.
了解！

#6

Hey Cana

Yeah, Kameya’s prices are sure attractive, especially for yubikake. Hopefully we will be able to lower that a bit.

Selling skin would be really awesome, but indeed, there are legality factors which vary depending on the country. So it doesn’t seem worth it at this point. (dog skin is about 10,000 yen anyway, so the raw material isn’t cheap either)

Selling more variety of cases? and cheaper stands maybe. Other then that (sorry to stack)

Interesting! That’s a good idea. Like the hard cases with the palownia wood lining inside?

Maybe show the cow kawahari shamisen sounds on each shamisen versus dog and cat? And a vid of every type of bachi on those kawahari.

On the calf skin kawahari page, there is a sample of what calf skin sounds like. We wouldn’t be able to try it on each shamisen unless we got a junk tsugaru shamisen (as they’re called at auction sites) to try it out on. (Can’t do it on new shamisen)

And a vid of every type of bachi on those kawahari.

Cool! Will do! I’m thinking that a video for each product would be good.

Also if you could sell the synthetic skins?

When I asked Masahiro, he said that synthetic couldn’t be sold separately.

Oh! Speaking of synthetic skin, great news about that! He’s working with a guy who created a new synthetic skin. Masahiro was really happy with it, and said it can be stretched much tighter than the current kind. I’ll find out more of that in July, when I’m there.

#7

As a jiuta player one problem with Bachido is the focus on all things tsugaru. I am sure you can get anything we ask for but it would take a lot more back an forth.

Yeah. All items for Jiuta/Nagauta are going to have to be clearly offered as well. Whenever people order strings/etc, I always have to ask which shamisen it is meant for. Luke and I are going to have a discussion about that tomorrow.

The other less obvious problem for anything from Japan is the very high shipping costs.

True! Perhaps I should start stocking small items here. I feel bad when people order one pack of strings and have to pay over $20 for shipping. :-S

This is all great stuff!! Very important to bring up now, as we’ll be having long Bachido meetings when I’m in Sapporo. Any major things are best to bring up all this stuff in person.

#8

It would be nice to have sheet music with some explanation about what it contains.

Another site to check out is
http://tsugarushamisen.jp/koubou.html

Tada Atsushi is a tsugaru shamisen national champion, teacher and tsugaru shamisen maker in Hirosaki. I saw him perform with some of his students in a small restaurant called Anzu. They were impressive.

#9

Oooo thanks for replies… would be interested to be kept up to date on synthetic skin, I have a few shamisen players who would prefer non dog kawahari and cat as they are dog and cat lovers, would be nice for them to get the same sound :slight_smile:

and Yes the cube type cases with wood inside to hold all the parts ^.^ maybe one of those with backback straps and padding for your back? i would certainly prefer one for myself… on ebay i found on for 40euros! it was a steal but i cant buy one just yet sadly… I will probably end up making one.

hmm well theres bound to be a tsugaru player who uses calf somewhere on the forum ^^ if not next someone breaks a skin… and may wanna try it out that would be cool. Would like to hear them side by side.

Also in your book does it contain info on how to read japanese scoring ? (might be worth looking into if not just for informational purposes) Would be nice to train up completely well rounded shamisen players ^^
~even though i play all instruments by ear… haha

#10

For actual instruments, I’d say it’s probably a good idea to have an individual video for each one. I know I’d have trouble dropping money for a new instrument without seeing exactly what it looked like. Probably not necessary for smaller items.

If Katoh-san agrees you should tell him it was my idea. If not, you can take the credit. :slight_smile:

#11

It would be nice to have sheet music with some explanation about what it contains.

了解!
I’m sure we can get notation for all styles.

Oh yeah! I saw some of Tada’s performances on youtube years ago, when there were very few shamisen videos on there. (Before Kevin flooded the market :wink: )

and Yes the cube type cases with wood inside to hold all the parts ^.^

Ah, you mean the mitsuori case (which holds the dissembled shami)? Man, I’ve been waiting to get pictures from Masahiro for that. Guess it will have to happen when I go there.

and may wanna try it out that would be cool. Would like to hear them side by side.

Oh, what am I thinking! I actually have a Level 1 shamisen skinned with calf. :stuck_out_tongue: I can record it when there’s time.

Also in your book does it contain info on how to read japanese scoring ?

Do you mean the three line tableture? If so, yes. :slight_smile: It’s also explained in the crash course.
Traditional nagauta/Jiuta uses different notation.

For actual instruments, I’d say it’s probably a good idea to have an individual video for each one. I know I’d have trouble dropping money for a new instrument without seeing exactly what it looked like. Probably not necessary for smaller items.

Alrighty! I’m bringing a pro camcorder and mic to Sapporo and will make videos for all products similar to this

That will also help make the online store a bit more like an in-person experience.

If Katoh-san agrees you should tell him it was my idea. If not, you can take the credit. :slight_smile:

Haha!! If he doesn’t like it, I’ll tell him it was your idea. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
Just kidding. I’ll tell him it’s your idea. :slight_smile:

#12

Also in your book does it contain info on how to read japanese scoring ?

Do you mean the three line tableture? If so, yes. :slight_smile: It’s also explained in the crash course.
Traditional nagauta/Jiuta uses different notation.

Kyle, don’t quote me (because as you know, my main style is jiuta, followed poorly by Tsugaru ) - I know very little about nagauta, but as far as I do know, nagauta music uses the same bunkafu / 3-line “score” as Tsugaru music, or at least the nagauta music I own is that way. I believe there may be a second style of nagauta music, too, but I’ve never seen it… (Can any of our nagauta forum members confirm or deny??)

As for jiuta, as you said, yes, it’s written in different notation using kanji/Japanese numbers in tablature style. I think Cana posted a sample of it just the other day in one of her posts, if anyone’s curious.

#13

Ok

And Norm jumps in!!

You know what I really want to see?

I want to see bachido goods

Yes.

Bachido Goods.

“like what” you may ask as you sip your coffee…

Well, let’s start right there… With the coffee.
Not the coffee itself (although we don’t need to rule this out entirely…) but the mug. Something simple with a black bachi, and the words “Bachido Member” or simply “Bachido” underneath
Perhaps even the year on it. Have a slig…
ok… a little too much about the coffee mugs

Id love to see bachido cloths (saofuki) with a similar concept printed on them (i might have a source for this)

Perhaps even t-shirts… or more…

Heck, I even have a good connection for anyone who might want kimono and Hakama. And the place will custom make them to fit you for around $500 USD

There is a lot that I would like to see on Bachido!

I think that Bachido members are happy to be part of this community. It is something heartfelt and deep that connects us, and I am sure that if there were bachido related products (starting small and simple), then we could build an even stronger sense of community!

#14

all the nagauta sheet music I have uses the same bunkafu.

#15

Hey everybody~ Wow, so many new posts! I’m trying to catch up on all the good stuff people have been writing!

Linda, to the best of my knowledge, there are three main methods of notation for nagauta off of which every smaller schools’ notation is based.

Kine-ie uses the super-popular “Bunka-fu” notation which is pretty much the standard now-a-days, Kineya uses either the more traditional “Iroha” or ‘heavily edited’ bunka-fu for younger or foreign students, and the nagauta department at Geidai uses “Kenseikai”/“Kai-fu” notation which is pretty much 100% unique to students of the Geidai program or To-onkai professionals. If I left something out and someone can fill me in, please do!!!

#16

Coffee mug/ or tea mug would be coool ^^ just a simple black and white mug… says bachido on it in the reverse colour… would be cheap to get and would probably fit everyones hands… when not holding a bachi.

Bachido cleaning cloths would be cool ^^
maybe even a strap that says bachido… (once) on the strap or maybe a plad shirt like one of yours kyle with bachido :slight_smile:

#17

Heyya ive noticed the new stuff in the store ^^
also could you try and add differnt coloured Dou Gomu ?
black… pink… white… etc

#18

“like what” you may ask as you sip your coffee….

L O L

only ordered / needed / could afford the book so far but I guess I would definitely appreciate a quick and cheap shipping source for strings . . . since I intend to try them out on my next kankara for which I seem to have found a source for the wood of my dreams I might need strings soon and would love to get a coffee mug, t-shirt and orange yubikake along with them . . .

:slight_smile:

#19

Ooooooooohh!!! Bachido Swag!!!

Not the coffee itself (although we don’t need to rule this out entirely…)

Fresh roasted Bachido coffee!!! Assuming I don’t have do deal with any health regulations, that would be so fun to do!! (Later on, after more mainstream swag gets made)

Alright, so long story short, Grant has taken it upon himself to pursue the swag-making. He knows a lot of local artists and I’m confident will be able to come up with some great designs (which will be shared). If anyone here is an artist, definitely come up with something too! :slight_smile:

Totally awesome idea about saofuki

Heck, I even have a good connection for anyone who might want kimono and Hakama. And the place will custom make them to fit you for around $500 USD

:-O!!! Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes^100+!
Bachido Hakama!!! That would be supremely worth it!! Masahiro has a hakama with his 紋 on it, (http://bachido.com/images/pages/nitta-bio.jpg) and I’ve that would be cool to have for Bachido.
Designing official Bachido Mon. Added that topic to the meeting list with Masahiro. :slight_smile:

Perhaps even t-shirts… or more….

Definitely shirts. On that subject, does anybody know of a place that can custom make button shirts? Personally, I haven’t worn t-shirts since I was 16 and haven’t planned on going back (my chest needs to breath).

Wouldn’t it be a classy joke to sell official Bachido ice scrapers and putty knives? :wink:
Well, first we’ll start with Bachido coffee.

maybe even a strap that says bachido…

Awesome idea, Cana! Actually, Grant used to make straps.

#20

Now Were Movin’!

Im sure bachido brand coffee is something we can look at down the road lol. Perhaps after we incorporate lol.
Then we can put R&D in charge of it lol.

Glad these ideas took off~

I actually just ordered a set of Hakama and Kimono with my crest on the kimono, and my name embroidered on the Hakama… they are quite nice.
Perhaps it’s time to upload some pics

But back on topic…

Glad to hear Grant is so into this as well!!
I would love to see some of the designs~

the saofuki has really been buzzing around my head for a while now.
something unique in design that we can recognize as a bachido item!

I can start getting info and photos together of Hakama for the bachido shop if you would like. for most westerners, it all has to be custom made, and takes roughly a month to make~

so many great ideas floating around~

© 2020 Kyle Abbott