The problem with using shamisen strings is that they are quite expensive, being made from a blend of nylon and silk. But I remember a 'tip' I learned from the old carver Susumu Ito; he made a deal with a local shamisen teacher to get her discarded strings (and those from her pupils). Once a year or so, she would drop off a bag with all the tangled broken and used strings, and he would use these to tie his chisels.

It doesn't matter that the strings are 'worn out' (from the point of view of a shamisen player). We're not interested in their 'sound' quality. So ... I Googled around a bit for shamisen teachers, hoping that I might find one within a reasonable distance.

Did I ever! Not a two-minute walk from my place!

I went over there this afternoon and introduced myself. Turns out that Kuroda sensei already knows me - my place is on the route on which she walks her dog most evenings! When I made my request, I wasn't sure how she would respond, but I needn't have been worried - she thinks it's a great idea to 'recycle' the strings into something useful.

She doesn't have any on hand just now (of course she has been tossing them out), but said that she would begin to collect them and that I could expect to see a little 'delivery' in my mailbox one evening in the not-too-distant future. I thanked her very much and left her with a small gift print.

So that's one small problem solved! I wish they would all be this easy!