Deluxe Tsugaru Bachi | Bekko | M

Luxurious bekko bachi for Tsugaru playing style. The handle is covered in sakura tree bark wood (cherry tree) – I’m so in love with this look! It is pre-owned and the corners show the slightest signs of use (check out the photos, they’re still super pointy!). There’s also a name sharpie’d on the bottom of the handle (see photos). Two reasons for a generous discount on this really special bachi.

Bekko bachi are the standard for Tsugaru playing style. The flexibility of the blade and the distinct snapping sound when striking the strings is an important nuance of the authentic sound of Tsugaru Shamisen. Playing with a bekko bachi feels entirely different from playing with a standard student plastic bachi. And it transforms the sound of your shamisen immensely, too.

The blade of this particular bachi is pretty thick and sturdy. The coloring is really pretty with lots of light areas. The corners are still nice and pointy and catch the strings precisely.

The handle is covered in luxurious cherry tree bark wood. It should be comfortable for players with medium sized hands.

With its weight of 148 grams, this bachi feels pretty solid and adds some extra swing to your strike.

If you’re just starting out with playing the shamisen: It’s pretty common that the bachi feels a bit weird at the beginning. But it should not cause any pain – neither in wrist nor in any of the fingers of your bachi hand. Please make sure not to grip the bachi handle when playing but to have the bachi wedged in your hand in a relaxed way (I know, it’s hard! But that really is the key to a healthy swing, painless play and a great tone).