Chuuzao Shamisen Set “Noa”

I named this shamisen “Noa” (乃愛) because it feels like a gentle companion full of warmth and affection. The name means “love” or “affection”, and that’s exactly what I want this shamisen to be for you: a tender, reliable friend that inspires joy and creativity every time you play.

The style of this shamisen is chuuzao, typically used for Jiuta playing style but very versatile indeed. Noa has a pretty wide neck which makes it especially comfortable to play.

Wood:

The instrument is made from karin wood – an established choice for beginner instruments.

Accessories and Skins:

The instrument comes with a traditional orange doukake (cover) with a kimono-like graphic and flower pattern and a contrasting blue neo (string holder). Also included in the package is a set of new strings, a tenjin cap, and a dougomu (rubber mat).

The dou is freshly reskinned with Hibiki – the newest generation of synthetic skins with a warm tone that’s closer to the sound of natural skins than any of its predecessors. Hibiki skin is extremely durable and robust. In comparison to natural skin, you don’t have to worry about humidity or sudden rain when playing the shamisen outdoors (you’ll still want to try to avoid both to protect the wood though). This means, you won’t need to use a washi bag to protect your shamisen’s skin.

Neck:

This neck is 28,75 mm wide and 27,75 mm high/thick at the top and widens slightly towards the dou. The fingerboard is 27 mm wide at the narrow end. The fingerboard ends in a sharp edge which expands the positions you can play on this shamisen. You can play beyond position 20 with this kind of fingerboard.

Itomaki:

The itomaki (tuning pegs) are made from ebony wood and are carved in a traditional way that makes them easy to grip despite their slender built.

More:

The tsukigata (the curved end of the tenjin) is in perfect condition, and the instrument’s wood has a beautiful reddish shade. The neck is crafted in mitsuori style: It can be separated into three parts. This makes travelling with the shamisen very easy – even if you have to get by with light and small luggage. The joints are carved in an especially durable and intricate way which ensures a fantastic joint fit even after many years of assembly and disassembly.

If you have any further questions, reach out and send me a message and I’ll be happy to help.

All you need to add to your set to start playing are a koma, a bachi and a yubisuri. Depending on the style you intend to play and your personal preferences, you want to pick a certain kind of koma and bachi. Yubisuri come in different sizes, and I didn’t want to deprive you of the difficult yet fun choice between all the wonderful colors. Depending on your personal needs, you might want to consider getting a fujaku strip to mark the positions along the neck. Alternatively, you can mark positions individually or play without any markings.

If you need help with picking the right additions to this set, don’t hesitate to send a message and we will find the perfect match for you together.