In an earlier post, I discussed the different ways to store a shamisen: laying it down, standing it up, or hanging it. Personally, I always keep my main instrument standing in a stand because I play it daily and want it immediately at hand. To make sure it stands safely, I tried several models and found one that works wonderfully. The three models I’ll introduce here are all reliable and proven. I’ve already excluded unsuitable options so this post doesn’t get too long.

The Market

Shamisen aren’t as widespread as guitars or trumpets, so finding a shamisen-specific stand—especially outside Japan—isn’t easy. In Japan, there are dedicated shamisen stands. Classic versions are bulky wooden boxes for storing the instrument, but there are also modern, space-saving metal stands, similar to typical guitar stands. I ordered a shamisen stand from Japan and compared it with a few locally available alternatives.

The Candidates

After comparing many models, I settled on three reliable options:

• • • shamisen stand from Japan
    • guitar stand
    • violin stand

The Original

The Japanese stand surprised me with its compact design. It folds down in a few simple steps and is light enough to take to performances or practice sessions. You can safely set your instrument down anywhere without leaning it against a chair.
Big downside: hard to get. The base price was reasonable, but shipping and customs added up. Not to mention the long delivery time. Its short feet make it compact but slightly less stable. Compared with the guitar stand, it’s a bit wobbly. Simply be careful not to bump into it, and it should be fine.

The Guitar Stand

Guitar stands are definitely the easiest to get. You can find various models not only in music stores but also in classifieds. The downside: too many choices. I picked a cheap option since I didn’t even know if it would fit and had a limited budget. (If you’d like to support me, leave a coffee tip or become a Patreon supporter.)

Fit: The shamisen body is much narrower than a guitar’s. The cradle of this guitar stand (and all others I tried) is therefore a bit wide. The instrument doesn’t sit snugly but also won’t slip through. This means you need to balance it carefully when setting it down, or accept a slight tilt without panicking.

Stability: The stand is stable enough; the instrument rests securely. Because of its wide cradle and long feet, it can’t fold as compactly as the other two stands. Still, it works well at home.

The Violin Stand

A violin stand might seem like an unusual choice at first. After receiving the Japanese shamisen stand and looking for a guitar stand, I noticed some violin and ukulele stands that looked very similar to the Japanese shamisen stand. Ukulele and violin stands are roughly the same size, but ukulele stands tend to be more minimalist.
The advantage of violin stands is that they often include an extra support for the neck. Since the shamisen is much heavier than a violin or ukulele and has a long neck, I consider this neck support highly advisable, if not essential. The model I chose (Stagg SV-VN) combines robust construction with an unbeatable price. It’s quick to assemble and disassemble and sturdier than the other two options. Definitely my favorite.

Conclusion

I like all three stands, but the violin stand is my first choice because it is stable and holds the shamisen securely. The fact that it’s also easy to fold and carry is a bonus, making it the ideal all-rounder. The guitar stand is a good alternative for home use because it’s easy to find and stable, though the dou doesn’t sit perfectly in the cradle. With patience, this is manageable. The Japanese shamisen stand is used the least for me because its short feet make it less stable than the others. However, it’s ideal for light travel because it’s extremely compact and lightweight—but hard to get.
My recommendation: the violin stand as a reliable all-rounder.

Violin Stand

Stability: very good
Weight: good
Looks: very good
Mobility: excellent
Availability: good
Price: 22,95 € + shipping