The ''sanxian'' is a Chinese tradition three-stringed plucked lute, from which the Ryukyuan ''[[sanshin]]'' developed, and the Japanese [[shamisen]], in turn, from the ''sanshin''. It shares with the ''sanshin'' a wooden body and snakeskin face, but is a larger instrument, with a longer neck. | The ''sanxian'' is a Chinese tradition three-stringed plucked lute, from which the Ryukyuan ''[[sanshin]]'' developed, and the Japanese [[shamisen]], in turn, from the ''sanshin''. It shares with the ''sanshin'' a wooden body and snakeskin face, but is a larger instrument, with a longer neck. |