ZenGo (前後)Bachi

I'm Truman of ZenGo (前後) Bachi. I've been playing shamisen for 4 years and making acrylic/wood bachi for more than a year. For me, ZenGo is not just a shamisen technique, but represents a connection between the past and future through the present, and playing shamisen was a way to connect with my own Japanese ancestry.

When I first got a chance to play shamisen with an Ainoco bachi, I was inspired by the design and craft and all of the possibilities for unique and beautiful designs. I learned as much as I could by playing with the ones available to me and looking at photos online. I tried making my own through several iterations, and when I felt that I was good enough I wanted to reach out to Greg-san of Ainoco to see if he would be willing to offer feedback. When I heard of his passing, I realized that I would not get the opportunity to meet him. I was able to meet with his family afterwards though and I was heartened to learn that he would have been happy that someone was inspired by his work and he would have happily passed along anything that he had learned. In that spirit, I hope that this inspiration can continue by providing custom made acrylic bachi to shamisen players throughout the world. I also want to be able to pass down knowledge and resources to anybody who wants to learn to make their own so that we can continue to pass on the legacy of Greg-san and Ainoco Bachi.

instagram (@zengobachi)