Tsugaru Koma | koki boat shape

This koma is for Tsugaru playing style. It’s carved in a more complicated boat shape which makes it more sturdy. It’s made from koki wood – that’s the super high end hardwood used to craft the most exquisite shamisen. This kind of koma was my standard go-to for years and I was heartbroken when I lost it (it’s still somewhere in my apartment but hast not been located yet – it will be a happy reunion! It gives your shamisen a very sweet full sound without getting harsh despite its hardness. A definite recommendation from my side! Not to mention it looks stunning.

Tsugaru style koma are lower and narrower than koma for other styles and make it easier to strike through the string all the way to the skin. They’re also commonly used for Minyo playing style.

What’s a koma? The koma is the removable bridge that lifts your strings up over the skin. Koma come in different materials, shapes and heights, which will all affect your shamisen’s sound. With the right koma you can alter your instrument’s sound and adjust it to your needs and liking.

How to use it right: The koma is placed approximately 3 fingers away from the neo knot. To slide it under the string, simply pull up the strings with one finger first and then insert the koma with a swift movement and as little friction on the skin as possible. When in place, let the strings slide into the notches. Watch a super short instructional video here.

Make sure to always remove the koma after playing to keep your shamisen’s skins happy and tight. To remove the koma, use the same technique as when inserting the koma. You can watch a super short instructional video here.