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.
Where is the Sanshin from?
Sanshin is believed to have originated from the Chinese string instrument sanxian 600 years ago. A century later, the sanshin developed into the shamisen when it made its way to mainland Japan. The size of the instruments are also different.
What kind of sanshin was used in the past?
In the past, the body of the sanshin was covered with the skin of Python molurus (a large species of snakes found in South and Southeast Asia). Today, due to some animal and wildlife restrictions, pythons to be used in sanshin making are being bred instead. Nevertheless, high-quality snakeskin is a must.
Why is gagaku important?
Gagaku and its Korean counterpart, a-ak, not only provide information about traditional national musical forms but also are the major sources for clues concerning the musical practices of Tang-dynasty China.
Is sanshin popular in Japan?
Later, sanshin was spread throughout mainland Japan, and it evolved into the shamisen (三味線), a very popular Japanese instrument.
How do you hold shamisen bachi?
Bent your right hand in a circle, and gently hold a bachi. Relax your right hand, holding a bachi as if holding an egg. Place your thumb on the mountain edge of bachi, and hold another side of bachi with your index, middle and the third fingers in a line softly. Your thumb and little fingers are on the same side.
How is a shamisen tuned?
SHAMISEN The standard shamisen tuning is D-G-D with a range of D above middle C, to F two octaves and a half higher. Repeated notes are easily done with up and down strokes of the bachi (plectrum.) The sounds dies quickly on the shamisen so sustained notes are only possible with tremolo.
When was the sanshin invented?
The sanshin was originally reserved for entertaining the royal court and has been taken up by the general public. It is said that the first Okinawan sanshin to be introduced in Osaka happened sometime around 1560 where it then was called “shamisen.”
What similarities and differences do the sanshin and the shamisen have?
On main land Japan, they have the Shamisen which is similar to the Sanshin but with apparent differences. While the body of the Sanshin is made of snakeskin, the Shamisen is made using cat or dog skin. Another difference between these two instruments is the pick. The Sanshin has a pick shaped like a large hollow fang.
When was the sanshin created?
What is a sanshin instrument?
Sanshin. The sanshin ( 三線, literally “three strings”) is an Okinawan musical instrument and precursor of the mainland Japanese (and Amami Islands) shamisen ( 三味線 ). Often likened to a banjo, it consists of a snakeskin -covered body, neck and three strings.
What Wood is Sanshin made of?
The wooden parts of the Sanshin- the Neck (Sao), head/body (Dou), and head (Ten), can be made with any of a large variety of hardwoods. Traditionally, the neck or Sao is crafted with the solid black core of the Okinawan Ebony tree, a species native to Okinawa- and the only ebony in the whole of Japan.
What is ebony Sanshin construction?
Typically, Ebony trees no younger than 100 years old are used in sanshin construction – the time necessary for the tree to grow a big enough black core to produce one or more instrument necks. Instruments made with Okinawan Ebony are among the most expensive sanshin made and sold today.
What is the origin of the Sanshin?
Its close resemblance in both appearance and name to the Chinese sanxian suggests Chinese origins, the then- Ryūkyū Kingdom (pre-Japanese Okinawa) having very close ties with Imperial China. In the 16th century, the sanshin reached the Japanese trading port at Sakai in Osaka, Japan.
