String instruments
We are proud to have quite a variety of vintage Japanese string instruments that we offer for sale, among which shamisen, sanshin, biwa and koto.
Most of the Japanese strings can be tuned like western strings, except for the koto.
We can also provide spare strings but please be aware that ordering will take some time since we don’t keep stock of all kinds.
More information about Japanese string instruments click here.
Please also find below the various strings we sell.
050 Bunkakoto
Second hand
Material: Paulownia wood
Length: 123 cm
Width: 26-28 cm
Height: 14 cm
Weight: 8 kg
“Bunka koto” literally means ‘’culture koto’”. It has about half the size of a regular koto. It is compact and lightweight and therefore easy to carry and store. This koto has the ability to change the tension of the snares by a ‘piano key’. The koto is in a very good condition. It has hardly any marks of use.This koto is provided with bridges (ji), a piano-key and a soft case.
Price (including 21% VAT): € 514,25
058 Koto ‘Yamada’
Second hand
Material: Paulownia wood
Length: 177 cm
Width: 26-27 cm
Height: 14 cm
Weight: 10,5 kg
This koto belongs to the Yamada school (Yamada-ryu) and is a little shorter than the koto from the Ikuta School (Ikuta-ryu). It is an aged koto with visible damage and traces of use. It has fixed legs. There is a crack in the body at the tail. The koto has no maki-e decoration nor a kuchimae cover. The koto is good for practice and less or not suitable for public performances. Bridges will not be provided but can be ordered separately.
Price (including 21% VAT): € 266,00
062 Koto ‘Matsu-Take-Ume’
Second hand
Material: Paulownia wood
Length: 184 cm
Width: 26-28 cm
Height: 14 cm
Weight: 10 kg
This high quality koto is in a very good condition. It has nice wood and a good sound. It also has a nicely decorated maki-e but without kuchimae cover.
This koto is provided with bridges (ji).
Price (including 21% VAT): € 1.694,00
066 Koto ‘Pine Blue’
Second hand
Material: Paulownia wood
Length: 183 cm
Width: 26-28 cm
Height: 14 cm
Weight: 13,6 kg
This koto is of average quality and is in a reasonable condition. The wood shows traces of use and ages and there are some cracks on the back. The strings are good. It has a nice maki-e, no kuchimae cover.
Price (including 21% VAT): € 545,50
073 Koto ‘Mikoshi’
Second hand
Material: Paulownia wood
Length: 184 cm
Width: 26-28 cm
Height: 14 cm
Weight: 12,4 kg
This is a beautiful instrument in a very good condition. It doesn’t show visible traces of use. It has good strings and a colourful maki-e, without kuchimae cover.
This koto is provided with bridges (ji).
Price (including 21% VAT): € 1.089,00
079 Shamisen with bachi and case
Second hand
Manufacturer: Unkown
Material: wood, dogskin
Height: 10 cm
Length: 103 cm
Width: 23 cm
Weight: 6,75 kg
Beautiful ‘Fat Neck’ Shamisen, complete with bachi, koma, tuner and case.This samisen is very suitable to use in ensembles and orchestras.The instrument is in a very good condition and has a good sound. The dog-skin is precious and can tear so we recommend a more experienced player for this instrument.
Price (including 21% VAT): € 1.995,00
084 Shamisen with case
Second hand
Manufacturer: Unkown
Material: red sandal wood, artificial skins
Height: 10 cm
Length: 103 cm
Width: 23 cm
Weight: 6,75 kg
This ‘Fat Neck’ Shamisen comes with a case. The samisen has artificial skins which are stronger than animal skins. This samisen is very suitable to use in ensembles and orchestras. The instrument is in good condition. The sound is a bit ‘smokey’ but it produces volume and gives presence. The condition of the instrument is fine. It is suitable for all kind of samisen players, from beginners to advanced.
Price (including 21% VAT): € 1.535,00
088 Biwa
Second hand
Manufacturer: Unkown
Material: Mulberry wood
Weight: ca.2850 gram
Measurements: total length 87 cm, diameter body 29 cm, height body: 10 cm
This Chikuzen Biwa is in a very good state. The body is made from mulberry and paulownia. The biwa has silk snares. Spare snares are available. A Biwa bachi is available and can be ordered separately.
Price (including 21% VAT): € 1.875,00
090 Shamisen with bachi and case
Second hand
Manufacturer: Unkown
Material: wood, dog skin
Weight: 3,1 kg
Measurements: height 11 cm, length 101 cm, width 23 cm
This ‘Fat Neck’ Shamisen is complete with bachi, koma, tuner and a protective carrying case. This samisen is very suitable to use in ensembles and orchestras. The instrument is in a very good condition and has a good sound. Since the dog skin is precious and can tear we recommend a more experienced player for this instrument.
Price (including 21% VAT): € 1.860,00
114 Sanshin (with large case)
Second hand
Manufacturer: Unkown
Weight: ca. 1250 gram
Measurements: total length: 80 cm, diameter body: 19 cm, height body: 8 cm
Kyokabari sanshin from Okinawa. This sanshin has a beautiful snake-skin covered body and is in good condition.
A sanshin bachi is available (from Japan) and shall be ordered separately.
Price (including 21% VAT): € 450,00