Uraha

Uraha 2.0 introduces "My Shamisen" — record your own shamisen and tune to its sound directly. Groundbreaking ear tuning + digital tuner, now with recording.

Why a shamisen-dedicated tuner?

The shamisen's distinctive tone — shaped by its percussive attack, rapid decay, rich harmonic overtones, and the characteristic sawari buzz — makes it notoriously difficult for general-purpose digital tuners to detect accurately. Even experienced players often struggle to get reliable pitch readings with conventional tools. Uraha is purpose-built and optimized specifically for the shamisen.

Three optimized approaches

[New in Version 2.0] Tune with Your Own Shamisen's Sound — My Shamisen

Every shamisen has its own unique voice, and no two instruments sound exactly alike. This makes precise tuning a challenge even for seasoned professionals — particularly in ensemble settings where matching pitch between players is critical. With My Shamisen, you record your own instrument at its perfectly tuned pitch in advance, then play that recording back before each performance to tune your strings to it. This groundbreaking approach — found in no other tuner app — gives you tuning that is matched to your specific instrument's character, not just a generic reference pitch.

Ear Tuning with Shamisen-Synthesized Tone

Uraha plays a synthesized tone that closely recreates the resonance and timbre of a real shamisen. Tuning by ear against this reference lets you achieve natural, accurate intonation the way musicians have for centuries. You can also fine-tune the synthesized timbre — adjusting the tone character to match your instrument type and personal preference — so the reference sound feels as close to your own shamisen as possible.

Digital Tuner Optimized for Shamisen

Calibrated specifically for the shamisen's pitch range and harmonic structure, Uraha's digital tuner detects the fundamental pitch far more reliably than conventional chromatic tuners. Use it alongside ear tuning for precision you can see and hear.

Instrument-Type Presets

Fine-tune the synthesized tone for Tsugaru shamisen, nagauta, jiuta, and more — then save up to three configurations as presets. Ideal for players who own multiple instruments or switch between genres and need a different reference sound for each.

Full Support for Traditional Tunings

Uraha accurately reproduces the reference pitches for all three standard shamisen tunings: • Hon-choshi — standard tuning • Ni-agari — second string raised • San-sagari — third string lowered

Whether you play classical jiuta, nagauta ensemble, or Tsugaru folk style, the correct reference pitch is always one tap away.

Hybrid Ear-and-Digital Method

Tune roughly by ear using the synthesized tone, then refine with the digital tuner. Combining both methods delivers fast, accurate results — and helps build a stronger sense of pitch over time.

Who is Uraha for?

Anyone who has struggled to tune a shamisen with a standard tuner; players of Tsugaru shamisen, nagauta, jiuta, or other specific styles; those who play multiple instruments or switch between genres; performers who need to match pitch with others in an ensemble; players who want to dial in their own preferred sound; and anyone who needs reliable, repeatable tuning at rehearsal or on stage.

Memo Feature

Record tuning notes per piece or per performer for quick reference. Whether you are a teacher tracking students' settings or a performer managing multiple pieces, your tuning information stays organized and instantly accessible.

A tuner built for the shamisen, by a shamisen player. Uraha supports your performance.