Changes

[[Image:Sanshin.JPG|right|thumb|500px|A sanshin with plastic imitation snakeskin, and wooden ''chimi'' (pick/plectrum).]][[Image:Chimi.JPG|right|thumb|300px|A wooden sanshin ''chimi'' (pick/plectrum).]]

[[Image:Sanshin.JPG|right|thumb|500px|A sanshin with plastic imitation snakeskin, and wooden ''chimi'' (pick/plectrum).]][[Image:Chimi.JPG|right|thumb|300px|A wooden sanshin ''chimi'' (pick/plectrum).]]

*''Other Names'': 沖縄三味線 ''(Okinawa shamisen)'', 沖縄蛇味線 ''(Okinawa jamisen)''

*''Other Names'': 沖縄三味線 ''(Okinawa shamisen)'', 沖縄蛇味線 ''(Okinawa jamisen)'', 蛇皮線 ''(jabisen)''<ref>Referring to the sanshin as "Okinawa shamisen" or simply "shamisen" is common among Okinawans (and those of Okinawan descent) employing standard Japanese within an Okinawan context. Terms such as ''jamisen'' ("snake shamisen") or ''jabisen'' ("snakeskin strings"), are not typically used in Ryûkyû, but only among mainland Japanese (Ashgate. p305.), highlighting the snakeskin aspect, and marking the instrument as different.</ref>

*''Japanese'': 三線 ''(sanshin)''

*''Japanese'': 三線 ''(sanshin)''

The use of a ''chimi'', a claw-shaped plectrum, though quite standard today, is believed to be a relatively recent development. Eighteenth and early 19th century paintings of people playing sanshin do not seem to depict the use of a plectrum.

The use of a ''chimi'', a claw-shaped plectrum, though quite standard today, is believed to be a relatively recent development. Eighteenth and early 19th century paintings of people playing sanshin do not seem to depict the use of a plectrum.

===Musical Genres===

===Musical Genres===

Classical songs include ''Nubui kuduchi'', ''Kajadifu bushi'', ''Aha bushi'', and ''Wudui kuwadisa''.

Classical songs include ''Nubui kuduchi'', ''Kajadifu bushi'', ''Aha bushi'', and ''Wudui kuwadisa''.

#'''Folk''' (J: ''min'yô'', also known as ''shima uta'') - Folk music includes a wide range of types of songs, not only from [[Okinawa Island]], but from all of the Ryûkyû Islands. Many folk songs derive from traditional festival music, while others are of newer composition, but have become so widely known, and so standard, that they have come to be regarded as "folk music." Some folk songs employ the distinctive vocal techniques of classical singing, while others use a more standard/Western/modern open style. The lyrics are often in Okinawan, or another [[Ryukyuan languages|Ryukyuan language]], but are sometimes in standard Japanese. The playing style on the sanshin is somewhat freer than in classical playing, as various techniques are used to help one play more quickly or more smoothly, though such moves might not strictly be tolerated in one of the classical playing styles.

#'''Folk''' (J: ''min'yô'', also known as ''shima uta'') - Folk music includes a wide range of types of songs, not only from [[Okinawa Island]], but from all of the Ryûkyû Islands. Some of the oldest folk songs derive from the [[Miyako Islands]].<ref>Ashgate. p305.</ref> Many folk songs derive from traditional festival music, agricultural work songs known as ''yunta'' or ''jiraba'', or courting songs known as ''utagaki'', while others are of newer composition, but have become so widely known, and so standard, that they have come to be regarded as "folk music." Some folk songs employ the distinctive vocal techniques of classical singing, while others use a more standard/Western/modern open style. The lyrics are often in Okinawan, or another [[Ryukyuan languages|Ryukyuan language]], but are sometimes in standard Japanese. The playing style on the sanshin is somewhat freer than in classical playing, as various techniques are used to help one play more quickly or more smoothly, though such moves might not strictly be tolerated in one of the classical playing styles.

 

Some of the most popular folk songs are ''[[Asadoya yunta]]'', which originally derives from [[Taketomi Island]] but which is today most commonly performed with lyrics in standard Japanese (not [[Okinawan language|Okinawan]]); ''[[Nada sousou]]''; ''[[Tinsagu nu hana]]''; and ''[[Toshin doi|Tôshin doi]]'', a song commonly played to accompany ''[[kachashi]]'' dancing.

#'''Okinawa/Uchinaa Pop''' - Okinawan pop/rock music was born, arguably, in the 1970s, as a key part of a wider resurgence in Okinawan identity and culture. Bands such as Rinken Band, Champloose, and the Nenes began incorporating sanshin, Okinawan language lyrics, and Okinawan sensibilities or imagery into pop/rock compositions. The song "Shima Uta", released in 1992 by a mainland Japanese band, The Boom, quickly became one of the most popular songs associated with the islands, and with the style or genre of "Okinawan pop," despite being composed and performed originally by non-Okinawans. As a result, the term ''shima uta'', lit. "island song[s]," has come to be used as a generic term for Ryukyuan folk songs. Since the 1970s, numerous artists and bands have begun incorporating sanshin, ''[[eisa]]'' (festival) [[taiko]] drums, and other Okinawan elements, including sampling of folk songs, into new compositions. Okinawan pop songs run the gamut from the more traditional-sounding to rock, electronica, and more mainstream-sounding pop music. Some songs employ Ryukyuan language lyrics, though most use standard Japanese; some incorporate elements of the classical vocal sound.

Some of the most popular folk songs are ''[[Asadoya yunta]]'', which originally derives from [[Taketomi Island]] but which is today most commonly performed with lyrics in standard Japanese (not [[Okinawan language|Okinawan]]); ''[[Nada sousou]]''; ''[[Tinsagu nu hana]]''; and ''[[Toshin doi|Tôshin doi]]'', a song commonly played to accompany ''[[kachashi]]'' dancing. Prominent folk singers include Natsukawa Rimi, Noborikawa Seijin, Kadekaru Rinshô, China Sadao, and Kina Shôei.

Popular Okinawan pop songs include "Shima Uta," "Hana," "Shimanchu nu takara," "Ojii jiman no Orion beer," and "Haisai Ojisan."

#'''Okinawa/Uchinaa Pop''' - Okinawan pop/rock music was born, arguably, in the 1970s, as a key part of a wider resurgence in Okinawan identity and culture. Bands such as Rinken Band, Champloose, and the Nenes, and artists such as China Sadao, Rinken Teruya, and Kina Shôkichi, began incorporating sanshin, Okinawan language lyrics, and Okinawan sensibilities or imagery into pop/rock compositions. The song "Shima Uta", released in 1992 by a mainland Japanese band, The Boom, quickly became one of the most popular songs associated with the islands, and with the style or genre of "Okinawan pop," despite being composed and performed originally by non-Okinawans. As a result, the term ''shima uta'', lit. "island song[s]," has come to be used as a generic term for Ryukyuan folk songs. Since the 1970s, numerous artists and bands have begun incorporating sanshin, ''[[eisa]]'' (festival) [[taiko]] drums, and other Okinawan elements, including sampling of folk songs, into new compositions. Okinawan pop songs run the gamut from the more traditional-sounding to rock, electronica, and more mainstream-sounding pop music. Some songs employ Ryukyuan language lyrics, though most use standard Japanese; some incorporate elements of the classical vocal sound.

==References==

==References==

*Thompson, Robin. "The Sanshin and its Place in Okinawan Music." ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. pp. i-vi.

*Thompson, Robin. "The Sanshin and its Place in Okinawan Music." ''Okinawa bijutsu zenshû'' 沖縄美術全集. vol. 5. pp. i-vi.

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