When buying an instrument, one normally assumes to automatically have everything included that one 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. You will learn here what a shamisen set should contain at minimum, and which options make sense next.
The Minimal Set
If you have a limited budget and must focus on the absolute essentials required for playing, there is nothing wrong with acquiring only the necessities at first. However, I must note that forgoing maintenance and storage accessories will shorten the instrument’s lifespan. Therefore, this should only be a temporary option. The minimal set includes:
For me, an anti-slip mat (dougomu) is also a must. Dougomu.
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 super 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 (decorative cover)
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. Das ist die einfachste und erste Schutzschicht für die Shamisen. In diese weiche Hülle wickelt man sein Instrument nach dem Spielen ein. Damit wird die Shamisen vor Staub geschützt und auch vor umherfliegenden Teilen im Kasten.
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 case or a 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 sleeve for storing the individual components separately.
longcase
mitsuori case
Practice Aids
If you cannot always play at full volume, consider getting a shinobikoma. The shinobikoma is longer and rests on the edge of the dou, redirecting vibrations away from the skin and significantly muting the instrument’s sound. (learn more about how that 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 smart phone
Another widely used tool is the fujaku stripwhich marks all positions at once. Alternatively, players can use adhesive dots or small dabs of nail polish to mark individual positions. Here you can find an article on how to attach the strip or individual markers.
fujaku strip prior to application
fujaku strip applied to sao (neck)
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.
Anyone who has a shamisen with artificial skin and is concerned about wear on the skin from the bachi can stick a small protective film under the strings, the bachigawa. The film is very robust and durable and prevents abrasion from the bachi.
large bachigawa
small bachigawa
More is Always Possible
These are the most essential items and additional accessories you should know about. For small parts such as the bachi, koma, and strings, there are specially designed cases and containers that offer both secure and decorative storage—perfect candidates for the next wish list!
Watch the video here:
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