Minyo Shamisen Set “Miyu”

I named this shamisen “Miyu” (美優) – not only because the name sounds cute, but because it translates to “beautiful excellence”. A very fitting name for such a beautifully made piece of art. The instrument is in fantastic condition – no need to ever upgrade if you keep it in good shape!

This style of shamisen is associated with Minyo style, but it really is very versatile and makes any kind of style fun to play. It’s also pretty close to a futozao shamisen and will make playing Tsugaru style fun, too. As a chuuzao neck shamisen, it is a good choice for everyone who doesn’t know where the shamisen journey might take him or her. The width makes it comfortable to play no matter what hand size you have, and the thickness/height of the neck makes gripping it feel super easy! Thanks to the adjustable azuma sawari, this shamisen can have its delightful buzz no matter how high or low you tune your instrument.

Neck sizes vary within the building types, and this one is on the wider side, which is common for more modern instruments. That makes playing comfortable for larger hands, too.

Wood:

This instrument’s neck is made from koki wood with a bit of “tochi” – that’s the luxurious figurations that sparkle magically in the light. Koki is the most sought-after wood in contemporary shamisen culture. This traditional super high-end hardwood that is the most desired choice for professional players due to its outstanding beauty, smooth feel and fine sound qualities. The supplies for koki wood are dwindling, so instruments of this kind are more popular than ever.

The dou is especially beautifully crafted – sheer eye candy.

Accessories:

The instrument comes with a gold doukake with a dusty pink background and a contrasting red neo. Also included in the package are a set of fresh strings, a tenjin cap, and a dougomu.

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.

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.

Skins:

The dou is freshly skinned 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:

The neck is 30 mm wide and 29,25 mm high at the top and widens slightly towards the dou. The fingerboard is 28 mm wide at the narrow end. As is typical for this build, instead of a curved hatomune – the part where the neck enters the sound box – the fingerboard ends in a sharp edge that makes it possible to play up to position 20 and slightly beyond on this instrument. This shamisen is a so-called tanzao shamisen – a shamisen with a slightly shorter neck, as is typically found in Min’yō. This means a normal position marker (fujaku strip) will not work on this instrument. That’s why I left the markings on the side of the neck (see photos) from the previous owner – they are pretty useful. The fingerboard has been refurbished and is heavenly smooth to play on.

The joints are crafted in an especially intricate way with a stepped grove, which makes assembly and disassembly easier and improves the joints’ durability and fit.

Sawari (buzz):

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.

More:

The tsukigata (the curved end of the tenjin) is in perfect condition, and the instrument’s wood has a super dark brown shade that looks almost black and reveals beautiful subtle reflexes in the light. 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 very well crafted which will provide an extra tight fit. They come together with a very satisfying “clack” – if you don’t know what that means: it’s a very good thing and you’re gonna love it!

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