How to Get Your Very Own Tsugaru Shamisen!
There aren't too many options if you live outside of Japan and are looking to buy your own Tsugaru shamisen, but here's some guidance. You can get shamisen and other Japanese instruments and accessories from Chords Canada. They stock them in their Toronto warehouse and ship to most places around the world. They also sell Kyle Abbott's book Shamisen of Japan. www.chordscanada.com Shamisen Katoh's website www.shamisen-katoh.com When you email Katoh san, be sure and type SHAMISEN (yes, all caps) in the subject field as his email server interprets mail from foreign ip addresses as spam. As long as you use basic English, Katoh san will likely be able to understand you. Assuming I don't hear from hundreds of you all at once, I'd be glad to help with any necessary translation. Buy the cheaper student model Tsugaru shamisen here www.ishibashi-webshop.jp (click on the "English" tab in upper right hand corner) Info on this company's international order protocol/how to order here: www.ishibashi.co.jp Build your own shamisen and learn how to play it with Kyle Abbott's book Shamisen of Japan. Check it out here: www.shamisenofjapan.com
