Ito (strings)

This is a very special set of ito made by Marusan Hishimoto Co. (the most trusted maker of shamisen strings, and the only brand of string I sell in the Bachido Store) All strings are dyed black and look very striking against a white shamisen skin. Just be careful when playing shamisen in the dark!

From what I’ve heard, these strings don’t have the best sound quality (especially compared to the Gokujo string), but they’re still very good and the color balances the rest!

Includes one Ichi no Ito, a pack of two Ni no Ito and a pack of five San no Ito.
String Gauges: 28-1 / 15-2 / 14-3

This is a very special set of ito made by Marusan Hishimoto Co. (the most trusted maker of shamisen strings, and the only brand of string I sell in the Bachido Store) All strings are dyed red and look very striking against a white shamisen skin.

From what I’ve heard, these strings don’t have the best sound quality (especially compared to the Gokujo string), but they’re still very good and the color balances the rest!

Includes one Ichi no Ito, a pack of two Ni no Ito and a pack of five San no Ito.
String Gauges: 28-1 / 15-2 / 14-3

This is the Fujiito brand of ito. They are the most common brand of string for shamisen. It’s considered to be average quality for ‘practice use’, but I use them for performance and nobody notices the difference!

Includes one Ichi no Ito (2X), a pack of two Ni no Ito and a pack of five San no Ito.
String Gauges: 29-1 / 15-2 / 14-3

This is the Gokujo ito. They are the considered to be the highest quality string for shamisen, and ideal for stage use.

Includes one Ichi no Ito, a pack of two Ni no Ito and a pack of five San no Ito.
String Gauges: 30-1 / 15-2 / 14-3

Why is this set cheaper than the “Tsugaru Ito Set Pack (Fujiito)”? It’s because the Fujiito set includes a double length (2X) ichi no ito. The double length ichi no ito is higher quality than the single length of the Fujiito. The Gokujo string is single length, and so the price comes out relatively cheaper. Personally, while I am perfectly happy using the average quality Fujiito, I do notice a difference in sound quality. The Gokujo ito has a more delicate and richer tone than the Fujiito ito.

This is the Fujiito ito. They are the most common string used for shamisen. It’s considered to be average quality for ‘practice use’, but I use them for performance and nobody notices the difference!

Includes one Ichi no Ito, one Ni no Ito and one San no Ito.
String Gauges: 29-1 / 15-2 / 14-3

Inludes one Ichi no Ito, one Ni no Ito and one San no Ito.

Fujiito – Regular Grade

The thickest string. Material – Silk.
Available in sizes for both Tsugaru and Nagauta styles.

Special Note for Tsugaru

The feel of this string is harder.
This string is recommended if a hard bass and overall forceful tone is desired.

Fujiito brand – Regular Grade

This Ichi no Ito is double length, so you have enough string for two shamisen.

You might be wondering why this double-length string costs over three times as much as a single-length “Ichi no Ito (Silk)” string above. Excellent question! Compared to the single-length, the feel of this silk string is softer and higher quality. It is recommended if you want the bass tone to have more delicate resonance with richer harmonics.

For Tsugaru style.
Gauge: 30.

Fujiito – Regular Grade

The middle string.
Material for Tsugaru style – Tetoron
Material for Nagauta style – Silk
Sold as a pack of two strings. (Note: The outdated picture was taken when three strings used to be included)

Fujiito – Regular Grade

The thinnest string. Material – Nylon.
Sold as a pack of five strings.

Gintsuki – High Grade

The thickest string. Material – Silk.

For Tsugaru style.
Gauge: 30

Gintsuki – High Grade

The middle string.
Material – Silk
Gauge – 15
For Nagauta, Jiuta, and Tsugaru styles.

Sold as a pack of two strings.

Gintsuki – High Grade

The thinnest string.
Material – Silk
Gauge – 14
For Nagauta, Jiuta, and Tsugaru styles. (Note: Silk San no Ito generally aren’t preferred for aggressive tsugaru style, as the thin silk breaks faster than nylon)

Sold as a pack of five strings.

Gokujo – Best Grade

The thickest string. Material – Silk.

For Tsugaru style.
Gauge: 30

Special Note for Tsugaru

The feel of this string is supple.
This string is recommended if a delicate tone is desired. (A delicate tone can be a great balance for aggressive tsugaru style)

Gokujo – Best Grade

The middle string.
Material – Silk
Gauge – 15
For Nagauta, Jiuta, and Tsugaru styles.

Sold as a pack of two strings.

Gokujo – Best Grade

The thinnest string.
Material – Silk
Gauge – 14
For Nagauta, Jiuta, and Tsugaru styles. (Note: Silk San no Ito generally aren’t preferred for aggressive tsugaru style, as the thin silk breaks faster than nylon)

Sold as a pack of five strings.