When buying an instrument, one normally assumes that one automatically has everything needed. Unfortunately, especially with shamisen, this is often not the case, and non-playable packages are sold without informing the enthusiastic shamisen buyer about the gaps. Since some sellers simply have no idea about what they are actually offering, it is – as always – best if you yourself know what you want and need. I wrote this article precisely for this purpose. So learn here what a shamisen set should contain at minimum, and which options make sense next.
The Minimal Set
A complete Shamisen starter set can be kept very minimal at the beginning. To play songs on the instrument, little is needed. However, if the Shamisen is to remain beautiful, it must be maintained and stored properly. I present here various levels, starting with the minimal set, which can then be gradually supplemented.
For me, an anti-slip mat (dougomu) is also a must.
The instrument must have intact tuning pegs, intact skins (a tear on the back is playable but sounds somewhat “empty”), and the kamigoma (metal nut) must not be missing. For beginners, understanding which components affect playability is not always obvious. In fact, many used instruments are sold with missing kamigoma or itomaki (tuning pegs) or with broken parts.
When purchasing a shamisen from a specialized store, you can generally expect it to be free from damage that affects playability. However, the base price in stores typically includes only the intact instrument without any of the smaller essential components like the neo, strings, etc.
neo
koma
string
yubisuri
Bachi
dougomu
Protection for Natural Skin
For those with natural skin on their shamisen, a doukake (decorative cover) and a washi bag are extremely important. The skin should be protected as much as possible, as loose or torn skin significantly affects playability and is expensive to replace. The doukake prevents player sweat and oils from damaging the skin, while the washi bag protects the skin from humidity fluctuations when storing the instrument.
washi bag
doukake
Additional Protection and Care
The skin is particularly delicate, but the rest of the instrument also requires care. Tenjin caps are useful for protecting the headpiece from accidental knocks against doorframes or furniture. Since the tenjin is a long and delicate part, it is surprisingly easy to chip a piece off, which—while not affecting the sound—is aesthetically unpleasing.
After each playing session, the shamisen should be cleaned with a soft cloth. I highly recommend the Japanese tsuyafukin, a premium cloth that not only cleans but also polishes the shamisen’s wood. It is machine washable and long-lasting. However, any soft cloth that does not cause scratches is better than nothing.
Once cleaned, the shamisen should not be left exposed but at least covered. For authenticity, a nagabukuro (long protective sleeve) is ideal. This is the simplest and first layer of protection for a shamisen. Wrapping the instrument in a nagabukuro after playing shields it from dust and loose debris inside its case.
tsuyafukin
nagabukuro
Transport
If you plan to transport your shamisen outside your home, simply wrapping it in a nagabukuro is not enough. Instead, it should be stored in a hard or soft case. These cases, made from durable, impact-resistant, and water-repellent materials, provide reliable protection. Additionally, soft and hard cases offer space for all necessary accessories. Some cases even come with backpack-style straps for easy carrying.
For those who travel light and own a mitsuori shamisen (a shamisen with a neck that disassembles into three parts), a mitsuori case is recommended. There is also a corresponding nagabukuro version for storing the individual components separately.
longcase
mitsuori case
Practice Aids
If you cannot always play at full volume, consider getting a shinobikoma. This special bridge is longer and rests on the edge of the dou, redirecting vibrations away from the skin and significantly muting the instrument’s sound (read more about how this works over here). It is the perfect solution for those with noise-sensitive roommates or neighbors or who need to practice at odd hours.
shinobikoma
Many players use tuning aids, such as tuning forks or pitch pipes, which provide a reference tone. Another popular option is an electronic tuner, which detects the shamisen’s vibrations and indicates the pitch. A modern all-in-one solution is a smartphone tuning app, available for both Android and iOS, which can generate reference tones and analyze played notes.
Clip-On Tuner
tuning app on a smartphone
Another widely used tool is position markers, which visually indicate note positions along the shamisen’s neck. The specialized version is the fujaku strip, which marks all positions at once. Alternatively, players can use adhesive dots or small dabs of nail polish to mark individual positions. Here is a complete article explaining how to attach the strip or individual dots.
fujaku strip before attaching
fujaku strip on the sao
Level-Up: Comfort
As with all things, there are all sorts of frills that one can acquire. But a few gameplay-relevant notable additions stand out for enhanced playing comfort.
For all those who want more grip on the body and whose right arm tends to slip off, there are narrow rubber sleeves that you pull over the doukake, the Doukake Gomu. Alternatively, you can also attach an anti-slip mat. Those who have difficulty holding the bachi because their hands quickly become damp and it starts to slip from the hand can find relief with a Bachigomu. This is a rubber sleeve that you put over the bachi grip. Alternatively, you can wrap some tape around the grip. Particularly suitable for this are kinesio tape, tape for bicycle handlebars, and tape for tennis grips.
If you have a shamisen with synthetic skin and are worried about wear on the surface from the bachi, you can stick a small protective film under the strings, called a Bachigawa. The film is very sturdy and durable, preventing abrasion from the bachi.
large bachigawa
small bachigawa
More is Always Possible
These are the most important parts and further accessories you should know. For the small parts (Bachi, Koma, strings), there are, of course, specially made cases and containers that store the precious and important companions particularly safely and decoratively. Perfect candidates for the next wish list.
Watch the video here:
