Japanese Instruments
Everything published on Viyolens under Japanese Instruments — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
Shamisen Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Three strings, no frets and a sharp percussive attack — here's what a shamisen actually is, and how its three neck types differ.
Koto for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Learning the koto rewards patience over speed from the very first lesson — here's exactly what your first weeks will actually involve.
Koto Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A long plank of paulownia with thirteen strings that rewards patience — here's what a koto is, where it came from, and how it actually works.
Common Shamisen Mistakes to Avoid
Most shamisen trouble isn't about talent — it's a handful of quiet assumptions. Here are the mistakes that come up again and again.
The Best Shamisens for the Money
There's no single best shamisen — only the right one for your repertoire, climate and stage of learning. Here's how the categories break down.
Shamisen: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Neck width, skin type and repertoire all pull in different directions when buying a shamisen — here's what actually matters.
The Best Kotos for the Money
A beginner's koto, a student's koto and a performer's koto are solving different problems — here's how value actually breaks down by tier.
Shamisen for Beginners: A Complete Guide
You don't need to master a whole tradition on day one — just your first honest sound. Here's a gentle, step-by-step start on the shamisen.
Koto: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A good koto is judged by its wood, its bridges and how honestly every string responds — here's exactly what to check before you buy.
Common Koto Mistakes to Avoid
The koto asks for a particular kind of patience — here are the mistakes that most often get in the way of it, told kindly.
