The sanshin is one of Okinawa’s most popular folk instruments.
It is a standard instrument that accompanies Okinawan folk songs and Okinawan pop music with its warm sound, but the sanshin is not the only instrument that accompanies Okinawan folk music.
In this article, we will take a deeper look at instruments other than the Okinawa sanshin used in Okinawan music.
◆Eisa daiko
In Okinawa, there is an ancestral memorial service called eisa.
The name “eisa” is derived from the chanting of “eisa, eisa” as they parade through the town during the Obon season.
There are three types of drums used in eisa: o-daiko (50 cm in diameter), shime-daiko (30 cm in diameter), and parranku (20 cm in diameter), and they are danced with these drums.
◆Ryukyu Koto
Ryukyu koto is used as an accompaniment instrument for Okinawan folk songs. The strings are strung loosely and the rounded claws, which have no corners, produce a soft sound.
◆Kucho
A stringed instrument with three or four strings, it is played with the body propped up on the lap and the bow scraping the strings.
The bow is fixed in position, and the instrument itself is moved to make the sound.
Also, unlike the violin and other instruments, the bow used is very flexible.
◆Conclusion
How was it?
There are many other instruments unique to Okinawan music.
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