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Amazing 1/8 Scale Miniature Sanshin from Nabbie Sanshin
This. Is. Amazing. We want it so much but it’s limited to 100 pieces. What is it? It’s a 1/8 scale miniature sanshin showing the how it’s made from start to completion. They’re currently taking reservations on their website with sales to start on January 5, 2024. We’ve had items shipped from Nabbie Sanshin before…
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Cesar Farro Yamaguchi & His Grandfather’s Sanshin
(via Twitter) Here’s a heart-warming story about a 3rd generation Peruvian-Okinawa, Cesar Farro Yamaguchi, who brought his grandfather’s sanshin to Okinawa. Currently studying sanshin craftsmanship in Okinawa at Naha’s Shoukoubou (尚工房) under sanshin maker Kishimoto Naoto, Cesar had his grandfather’s sanshin appraised by the Ryukyu Sanshin Musical Instrument Preservation and Development Association and it was…
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World Sanshin Festival
For the first time, a World Sanshin Festival will be held in the fall to coincide with the 7th Worldwide Uchinānchu Festival (10/30 to 11/3). Looks like they’ll do a “tour festival” in an effort to reduce crowds due to the ongoing pandemic and the World Sanshin Festival will be held every five years after…
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Anly’s Upcoming Single “Alive” for au Okinawa Cellular 5G
Singer-songwriter Anly who happens to be sponsored by both Fender and Yamaha, has been on a streak with new single releases. Her next single is called “Alive” and has a tie-up with Okinawa Cellular’s 5G service. Anly tweeted that the sanshin that can be heard on the song is performed by none other than Nakasone…
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“Shima Uta” 30th Anniversary
It’s the 30-year anniversary of THE BOOM’s mega-hit song “Shima Uta” (1/22/92). In the video interview, Kazufumi talks about the song and his model makabi sanshin (yes, there’s such a thing) which has a beautiful chiiga (that’s sadly not available on its own). Kazufumi has been involved in many Okinawa music and culture projects since…
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Awamori Sanshin — No, It’s Not What You Think
In the “what can be more Okinawan than” department comes something so spectacular (and colorful) from the Sanshin Partners Project: Sanshin with designs from 39 different awamori breweries! You can now sip your favorite (or your favorites) awamori while playing with the bottle sanshin that looks just like it! The 88,800 Yen (ones with a…
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2021 Tubarāma Taikai on YouTube
This year the Tubarāma Taikai was held at the Ishigaki Shimin Kaikan Dai Hōru (it was originally scheduled to be held outdoors at Shinei Park) without a live audience due to the pandemic. So in place of canceling it, they did a YouTube livestream and although the video is 3 hours 46 minutes long, the…
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The Sanshin Cafe Orchestra’s “Okinawan Cafe Music”
On August 11 The Sanshin Cafe Orchestra’s “Okinawan Cafe Music” album was released on music streaming services. The 2001 album is from a label created by Takara Records Store and they plan to release more of the catalog! The instrumental album is described as traditional meets ambient music — it’s definitely chill cafe music and…
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Sanshin from Ichintou Arakaki Sanshin-ten
Previously. we posted about ordering sanshin and supplies from Okinawa from an online store that ships internationally. Now I’m happy to announce another established store that you can order sanshin to be shipped outside of Okinawa/Japan (please check with the store if your region is supported): Ichintou Arakaki Sanshin-ten. Although you still won’t be able…
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Suzuhana Yuko (Wagakki Band) Plays Asadoya Yunta
Suzuhana Yuko, the vocalist of the Japanese folk rock band Wagakki Band, recently shared on her YouTube channel that she’s a fan of the sanshin and Okinawan folk music. She performs Asadoya Yunta and talks a bit about how she came upon the instrument and her love of Okinawa. In the video’s description, she writes…
Karakui 