Sanshin and the Sounds of the Okinawan Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMachida-san welcomes me at Machidaya<\/a>, a small sanshin<\/em> store and workshop located in Yomitan village<\/strong>, close to the turquoise sea off the coast of Okinawa. It’s the best environment to learn about this traditional Japanese instrument.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSanshin<\/em> is considered the soul of this prefecture\u2019s music.<\/strong> It’s a kind of Japanese guitar with three strings<\/strong> that produces a warm and cheerful sound. It’s said that it was inspired by a Chinese stringed instrument that was transported to the islands when Okinawa was still the independent Ryukyu Kingdom<\/a>. Later, sanshin<\/em> was spread throughout mainland Japan, and it evolved into the shamisen<\/em><\/strong> (\u4e09\u5473\u7dda), a very popular Japanese instrument<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"detail](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185247\/yomitan_machidaya_11-682x1024.jpg\")
Sanshin<\/strong> means ‘three strings’<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>![\"An](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185311\/yomitan_machidaya_04-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"A](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185337\/yomitan_machidaya_03-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n“The main difference between sanshin<\/em> and shamisen<\/em> is the type of skin used<\/strong>. The traditional sanshin is covered with snakeskin imported from Southeast Asia. The usage of this skin type for sanshin<\/em> is unique to Okinawa<\/strong>,” Machida-san explains as he shows me some different sanshin<\/em>. In recent years, animal protection laws have been changing, and even though the snake species used for sanshin<\/em> are not endangered, it isn’t easy to export this type of product to other countries. For this reason, other types of synthetic materials are commonly used nowadays<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n“For the instrument\u2019s neck, wood from a type of ebony native to Okinawa was once regularly used<\/strong>. This black ebony core is highly sought-after for its strength and its traditional sound quality. Typically, ebony trees no younger than 100 years old are used to make sanshin<\/em> (the time necessary for the tree to grow a big enough black core to produce one or more instrument necks). The process for treating this wood, since it’s obtained from the tree until it’s considered suitable for sanshin<\/em> assembly, can take up to ten years.” (…) “The wood needs to dry naturally, which usually means you have to wait another five years<\/strong>. Then it has to be left to rest, so its shape doesn’t change over time. That’s why it’s important to work it little by little.” Machida-san tells me to my astonished face. Sanshin<\/em> is a simple instrument at first glance, and I couldn’t imagine that its production would require such painstaking work. <\/p>\n\n\n\nNowadays, sanshin<\/em> made from this type of wood can cost hundreds of thousands of yen<\/a>, as this resource is becoming increasingly difficult to find in Okinawa. Therefore, more affordable sanshin<\/em> is made from wood already treated and imported from other countries. “The greatest difficulty for the future of this traditional art is the lack of resources<\/strong>. It’s necessary to respect and carefully use the resources we have.” (…) “One of my challenges as a craftsman is to reproduce the original sounds of traditional Okinawan music by creating instruments with the materials I have available. But I am also putting my effort into planting new ebony trees to ensure the future craftspeople some good quality and native wood for their instruments.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"two](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185213\/yomitan_machidaya_18-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"sanshin,](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185227\/yomitan_machidaya_16-682x1024.jpg\")
Sanshin has also envolved over the years<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>![\"three](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185331\/yomitan_machidaya_02-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nKankara Sanshin and the History of a War<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kankara sanshin<\/em> (\u304b\u3093\u304b\u3089\u4e09\u7dda) is an instrument born from the history of war<\/strong> and the optimism and resilience of the Okinawans. The Battle of Okinawa, which took place during World War II, began in Yomitan village,<\/strong> with an outcome that resulted in the region’s occupation by the American army for several years. During that time, many of the cultural and traditional elements unique to the Ryukyu Kingdom, and Japan in general, were destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDespite the fact that the lives of a large part of the population had been devastated, the people of Okinawa tried to recover their joy and vitality through music. It’s then when the prisoners detained by the American army began to make their own sanshin<\/em> with the materials they had available at the time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"machida-san](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185203\/yomitan_machidaya_20-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"a](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185158\/yomitan_machidaya_22-682x1024.jpg\")
A kankara sanshin<\/em> made with a tomato can<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOne of the simplest alternatives for making these sanshin<\/em> was to use metal cans from the U.S. Army to create the body<\/strong>. Telephone wires or parachute cords were used for the strings. The result was a simple sanshin<\/em> with a unique sound that conveyed hope and courage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMachida-san explains that his profession as a craftsman is connected to kankara sanshin<\/em>. “I started this business about 20 years ago in Murasaki Mura, a very touristy place in Yomitan. There, I had a kankara sanshin<\/em> store where visitors had the opportunity to play this Japanese instrument. My main goal is to raise awareness of Okinawa\u2019s history<\/strong>. Not only among Japanese people but also to people from other countries and cultures.” Machida-san’s words reveal the respect and admiration he has for his roots. “It’s an instrument that appeared in a tough time to brighten up the lives of a population that practically lost everything in the war<\/strong>.” (…) “The kankara sanshin is part of my history, but also of Okinawa’s history. People who had to suffer the war and its consequences tried to stimulate their souls through music, and thus build a better future for the next generations.” Machida-san strokes the strings of the kankara sanshin<\/em> on his lap, and the sounding chords that resonate deeply in the small workshop transport me to that time of war when Okinawans were not driven by fear and despair but by their desire to move forward with their lives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"detail](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185223\/yomitan_machidaya_15-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"some](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185152\/yomitan_machidaya_21-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSanlele, an Okinawan and Hawaiian Instrumental Fusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Okinawa is a region that has had to adapt to different situations throughout its history<\/strong>. More specifically, in Yomitan, a village that has suffered drastic episodes and incidents. But thanks to the Yomitan people, the village has been able to evolve and improve. That is why part of its music has also been changing to merge with other cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sanshin<\/em> is considered the soul of this prefecture\u2019s music.<\/strong> It’s a kind of Japanese guitar with three strings<\/strong> that produces a warm and cheerful sound. It’s said that it was inspired by a Chinese stringed instrument that was transported to the islands when Okinawa was still the independent Ryukyu Kingdom<\/a>. Later, sanshin<\/em> was spread throughout mainland Japan, and it evolved into the shamisen<\/em><\/strong> (\u4e09\u5473\u7dda), a very popular Japanese instrument<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The main difference between sanshin<\/em> and shamisen<\/em> is the type of skin used<\/strong>. The traditional sanshin is covered with snakeskin imported from Southeast Asia. The usage of this skin type for sanshin<\/em> is unique to Okinawa<\/strong>,” Machida-san explains as he shows me some different sanshin<\/em>. In recent years, animal protection laws have been changing, and even though the snake species used for sanshin<\/em> are not endangered, it isn’t easy to export this type of product to other countries. For this reason, other types of synthetic materials are commonly used nowadays<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “For the instrument\u2019s neck, wood from a type of ebony native to Okinawa was once regularly used<\/strong>. This black ebony core is highly sought-after for its strength and its traditional sound quality. Typically, ebony trees no younger than 100 years old are used to make sanshin<\/em> (the time necessary for the tree to grow a big enough black core to produce one or more instrument necks). The process for treating this wood, since it’s obtained from the tree until it’s considered suitable for sanshin<\/em> assembly, can take up to ten years.” (…) “The wood needs to dry naturally, which usually means you have to wait another five years<\/strong>. Then it has to be left to rest, so its shape doesn’t change over time. That’s why it’s important to work it little by little.” Machida-san tells me to my astonished face. Sanshin<\/em> is a simple instrument at first glance, and I couldn’t imagine that its production would require such painstaking work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nowadays, sanshin<\/em> made from this type of wood can cost hundreds of thousands of yen<\/a>, as this resource is becoming increasingly difficult to find in Okinawa. Therefore, more affordable sanshin<\/em> is made from wood already treated and imported from other countries. “The greatest difficulty for the future of this traditional art is the lack of resources<\/strong>. It’s necessary to respect and carefully use the resources we have.” (…) “One of my challenges as a craftsman is to reproduce the original sounds of traditional Okinawan music by creating instruments with the materials I have available. But I am also putting my effort into planting new ebony trees to ensure the future craftspeople some good quality and native wood for their instruments.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kankara sanshin<\/em> (\u304b\u3093\u304b\u3089\u4e09\u7dda) is an instrument born from the history of war<\/strong> and the optimism and resilience of the Okinawans. The Battle of Okinawa, which took place during World War II, began in Yomitan village,<\/strong> with an outcome that resulted in the region’s occupation by the American army for several years. During that time, many of the cultural and traditional elements unique to the Ryukyu Kingdom, and Japan in general, were destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the fact that the lives of a large part of the population had been devastated, the people of Okinawa tried to recover their joy and vitality through music. It’s then when the prisoners detained by the American army began to make their own sanshin<\/em> with the materials they had available at the time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the simplest alternatives for making these sanshin<\/em> was to use metal cans from the U.S. Army to create the body<\/strong>. Telephone wires or parachute cords were used for the strings. The result was a simple sanshin<\/em> with a unique sound that conveyed hope and courage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Machida-san explains that his profession as a craftsman is connected to kankara sanshin<\/em>. “I started this business about 20 years ago in Murasaki Mura, a very touristy place in Yomitan. There, I had a kankara sanshin<\/em> store where visitors had the opportunity to play this Japanese instrument. My main goal is to raise awareness of Okinawa\u2019s history<\/strong>. Not only among Japanese people but also to people from other countries and cultures.” Machida-san’s words reveal the respect and admiration he has for his roots. “It’s an instrument that appeared in a tough time to brighten up the lives of a population that practically lost everything in the war<\/strong>.” (…) “The kankara sanshin is part of my history, but also of Okinawa’s history. People who had to suffer the war and its consequences tried to stimulate their souls through music, and thus build a better future for the next generations.” Machida-san strokes the strings of the kankara sanshin<\/em> on his lap, and the sounding chords that resonate deeply in the small workshop transport me to that time of war when Okinawans were not driven by fear and despair but by their desire to move forward with their lives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Okinawa is a region that has had to adapt to different situations throughout its history<\/strong>. More specifically, in Yomitan, a village that has suffered drastic episodes and incidents. But thanks to the Yomitan people, the village has been able to evolve and improve. That is why part of its music has also been changing to merge with other cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nKankara Sanshin and the History of a War<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSanlele, an Okinawan and Hawaiian Instrumental Fusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"many](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185218\/yomitan_machidaya_19-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"detail](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10190637\/yomitan_machidaya_23-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"two](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10191141\/yomitan_machidaya_24-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185301\/yomitan_machidaya_08-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185237\/yomitan_machidaya_14-682x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10185306\/yomitan_machidaya_09-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n