Minyo Shamisen Set “Kōji”

Details

Players (to be) with larger hands: Kōji might be the right companion for you! Compared with other shamisen of the same build (chuuzao, medium-neck), Kōji has a sturdier neck which makes playing with him more comfortable. That’s the case for all hand-sizes, but especially for people with larger hands 🙂

This kind of medium-sized neck (chuuzao) is typically used for Minyou playing style. Thanks to the adjustable azuma sawari, this shamisen can have its delightful buzz no matter how high or low you tune your instrument. The black synthetic skins gives it an extra modern look. I put the skins on with a little less than maximum tension to provide a warmer tone that doesn’t get your neighbors on their toes. So if you’re looking for a shamisen that’s has a full sound but doesn’t make your ears bleed, you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

Product Specifications

The instrument is made from luscious karin wood – the typical choice for beginner and student shamisen. The instrument comes with a verrrry pretty dark blue doukake with traditional Japanese flower motifs and a matching blue neo. Also included in the package are an attached dougomu and a set of fresh strings. The dou is freshly reskinned with the newest generation of synthetic skins “Hibiki” that provides a strong yet warm sound.

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.

The fingerboard is 29 mm wide – that’s pretty wide! The neck is 31 mm wide and 31 mm high at the top and widens slightly towards the dou. It has a sharp hatomune – the part where the neck enters the sound box – which allows you to play up to position 20 and slightly beyond.

The ebio (the curved end of the tenjin) is in perfect condition. 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 crafted in an especially intricate way that ensure a long-lasting tight fit.

The installed azuma sawari lets you adjust the sawari (buzz) to your liking. This means you can switch it off completely (for modern pieces, pop/rock/metal genres or certain ensembles) and also have the perfect buzz no matter how high or low you tune your shamisen.

The itomaki (tuning pegs) are made from ebony wood and have a very balanced size that makes tuning comfortable and easy.

All you need to add to your set to start playing are a koma, a bachi and a yubisuri. These are not included in the package because depending on the style you intend to play, 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. 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.