Okinawa Sanshin: High-Quality Beginner Model - Collaboration by Two Master Craftsmen

The two craftsmen are Kiyosuke Nohara from Ishigaki Island and Eikou Yogi from Miyako Island. In 2002, I purchased a 30,000 yen sanshin for beginners from Mr. Nohara on Ishigaki Island. Later, I replaced everything except the neck with parts made by Mr. Yogi. The body of the sanshin is made from a single piece of python skin. Position markers are indicated with stickers. While beginner instruments are more accessible in terms of price, as one becomes more accustomed to playing, dissatisfaction with aspects like tone often arises. Incidentally, Mr. Yogi admired Mr. Nohara's good work even on a beginner's sanshin just by looking at the neck. Initially, I had trouble with the tuning of this sanshin, but as soon as I replaced the tuning pegs with Mr. Yogi's thick and sturdy ones, the tuning became stable. I realized then that starting with a good instrument makes a difference. When I asked Mr. Yogi what he would price this sanshin at if he were to sell it, he said around 100,000 yen, which is why I set the current price. Mr. Nohara passed away in the early Heisei 20s (around 2010-2012), and Mr. Yogi passed away in Reiwa 5 (2023). Their works will no longer be produced, but I am listing this sanshin with the hope that someone starting out with Okinawan sanshin can play a solid, good instrument. Furthermore, Mr. Yogi's grandson, Masaki Yogi, has inherited the workshop and exhibits at Okinawan product fairs in department stores around Tokyo annually, offering free inspections for any serious damage. This sanshin has also been inspected almost every year since I met Eikou Yogi in 2009, except during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maintenance after purchase is not an issue. Accessories include one of each: sanshin strap (amateur measurement 130 cm), mute, sanban (percussion instrument), hard case, sanshin picks (shorter than usual, all made by Mr. Yogi), sanban instructional DVD, sanban bag, sanshin strings, and a Yamano Music logo cloth. Practicing the sanshin before going to Okinawa will give you more confidence when you take lessons there. Also, while the sanban is basically played with hand claps for rhythm, learning how to play it from a singer at a folk song bar can lead to a fun time. I am not parting with this sanshin because I am dissatisfied or dislike it. It is because I cannot find the time to play it.

Size: Main body (approximate amateur measurement including widest protrusions)
Length 790 x Width 190 x Thickness 90 mm
Weight 1.2 kg
Case only (amateur measurement)
Length 870 x Width 250 x Thickness 130 mm
Weight 2.7 kg

Ships via Rakuraku Mercari便.

Please feel free to comment if you have any questions other than price negotiation.