Getting Traditional Japanese Musical Instruments

[Kiyotsuki]

Hey guys! I'm trying to get my hands on a Shamisen, and learn how to play it. I've been looking around a little bit, and so far haven't found anything that'll help me out as far as buying a Shamisen goes. Can you guys help me out, please??

 

[Mike Cash]

I spent about 15 minutes trying to google up a place in the US for you; no luck.

Here's a place in Okinawa that sells them online. Whether they would agree to ship to the US or not, I have no idea. The link goes to their beginner's sets.

http://www.cptown.net/sho/hiyane/set.htm

 

[Kiyotsuki]

Wow, thanks a lot. It's crazy how hard to find these things are. Well that site comfirms that if I <i> can </i> find one, it'll be really expensive. And I might have to work something out to get someone who lives in japan to buy one and ship it over here while I pay them the net cost or something.
What a journey this'll be! hahah, thanks again by the way.

 

[Mike Cash]

Have you tried eBay?

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

The site that sells a samisen.
http://www.inv.co.jp/~shammy/

http://www.tutayagakki.com/tugaru.html

A samisen-related site
音羽屋
http://www.inv.co.jp/~shammy/homeE.html


http://www.asahi-mullion.com/mullion/column/w-music/040609music.mp4
http://www.jump.co.jp/bs-i/chojin/archive/006.html

 

[Mike Cash]

The site that sells a samisen.
http://www.inv.co.jp/~shammy/

Somebody should tell him how horrible green text on a purple background looks...and how impossible it is to read.

 

[wintersweet]

If there is any kind of Japanese cultural association near you, you could call them and ask if they know a shamisen teacher, who should know where to find 'em.

Lark in the Morning, a place in San Francisco, sells Asian instruments, but I've been told the quality isn't high. I don't know whether that's the case, but even if it is, I suppose it might be OK for a starter instrument? I have no idea. Even if there's not a shamisen on the website, you might contact them.