The first time I heard a sanshin, I was in the park behind the Tokyo Metropolitan Building, where a boy and a girl were practicing together.
I loved the sound, and I understood why it is said to have healing powers…
Similar to the more famous Shamisen but with a smaller neck and body, the sanshin is an instrument with 3 strings, derived from sanxian, a Chinese instrument that have come to Okinawa during the 14th century.
The body is covered in either habu or python skin and the neck is made from a black tree.
It was initially used only by nobles, but in time it became popular and several centuries later, the sanshin spread and became a popular Japanese instrument.
Here are some recordings with old Okinawan music, accompanied by the sanshin:
Follow up:
Okinawa Classical Music (Koten Ongaku) and Dance (Ryubu) Videos
Kajadefu Bushi:
Udui Kuwadisa Yotsudake:
Two recordings with my favorite singers, Rimi Natsukawa and Hagime Chitose.
Rimi Natsukawa - Asadoya Yunta
Chitose Hajime - Kurodando Bushi
And as an ending, a demonstration of virtuosity:
Noborikawa Seijin - Atchamegwa
Videos via sanshin.org
