02. Sanshin

The Sanshin (三線, lit., “three strings”) is an Okinawan and Amami Islands musical instrument and precursor of the mainland Japanese shamisen (三味線). Often likened to a banjo, it consists of a snakeskin-covered body, neck, and three strings (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

“Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, is a group of islands with a unique history and culture. Having become a part of Japan in 1879, the Okinawa Prefecture maintains strong connections to it Uchinanchu heritage. The Sanshin, meaning three-stringed instrument, is an Okinawan banjo-like instrument, based on the Chinese sanxian, that emerged in Japanese history in the 1700s. Similar to the Japanese Shamisen, the Sanshin has three strings that are stretched over an (artificial) snakeskin body and a wooden neck. Unlike other instruments, the Sanshin does not follow traditional western music notations. Instead, it uses a Japanese symbol-styled notation called kunkunshi. To play the Sanshin, musicians pluck various strings while pressing down on specific notes on the neck of the instrument.” (quote from https://willamette.edu/org/sanshin/Okinawan%20Culture/Okinawan%20Culture.html)

• Length
  • String length (bridge to nut): 620 mm (guitar: 628 to 648 mm)
  • Total length: 800 mm (guitar: 1000+ mm)
• Weight: less than 1.5kg (guitar: 2 to 4.5 kg)
• Three strings fret less
• Tone: short sustain, medium loudness
• Picking:  with nails, dedicated pick (photo), or guitar pick (for modern music genre)
• Tuning (similar to shamisen)
  • 1st – 4th – 8th (ex. C – F – C) (Regular)
  • 1st – 5th – 8th (ex. C – G – C) (2nd str. up)
  • 1st – 4th – minor 7th (ex. C – F – Bb) (3rd str. down)
  • Range of 1st  (lowest) string: A2 to D2
  • Common tuning is C – F – C

• Ryukyu traditional (until the 19th century)
• Okinawa folk
  • solo – lessons available
  • sing with sanshin (the 20th century to present)
• Okinawa pops
• Other: popular music, rock, etc.

Typical Okinawa scale  omit 2nd and 6th notes: do  (re) mi fa so (la) ti do

Our lesson covers the basics of playing the sanshin. Vocal is not taught but you may learn yourself with sheet music.

After learning the basics, you can play easy songs such as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Sakura Sakura, and your favorite music.

Song examples in the lessons

1. Tinsagunu Hana (Okinawa folk)
2. Iwai Bushi (Okinawa celebration song)
3. 19 No Haru (Okinawa song, 1972)
4.  XXX
5.  XXX

Sorry, we do not sell instruments. Then here we list some shops. Please contact us if you need a help.

• Okinawa Sanshin Shop: https://www.sanshinshop.com/online-store-.html
  • from 400 USD
• Sanshin Churasaki: https://churasaki.ocnk.net/
  • It says “we export”, but no English page
  • amazon.co.jp : Churasaki Okinawa Sanline Ryukyu Basic Beginner Set (Tuner/Three-Line Bag) *Standard Size (from 22,000 JPY)
  • Recommended price range: 50,000+ JPY
• Shamisen Rakuya: https://shami1000rakuya.com/
  • Shamisen and Sanshin shop
  • https://shami1000rakuya.com/category/item/sanshin/item-sanshin/
  • Partially English information available: https://shami1000rakuya.com/to-overseas-customers/
• Wagakkiya (Japanese only, ships overseas) https://wagakkiya.ocnk.net/
•  

• Ryukyu style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_QH3O3Rl3g
• Okinawa folk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UrbyTgRlu8
• Okinawa pops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIBS2wHx0pc
• Rock band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkKBOk6bI9E
• Pops (cover): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkKBOk6bI9E