Photo/Illutration Minoru Shimaoka shows off his “sanshin” instrument in Naha on Aug. 24. He donated it to the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum. (Maho Fukui)

NAHA--The oldest "sanshin" known in existence--an Okinawan musical instrument that survived for two centuries and the destruction of World War II--has been donated to a museum here. 

The sanshin, called "Tsuketarido Sanshin," will be exhibited at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum through Nov. 6 as part of its permanent display. 

The traditional Okinawan stringed instrument dates to 1825 in the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

According to the museum, the words “Dokinototori Tokeshi-saku” painted in ink inside the sanshin refer to a Chinese era and its creator. The instrument was likely made by Tokeshi in 1825.

An influential figure on Tokunoshima island who was known by the name of Naotomishu obtained the sanshin in Shuri in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was since kept by the owner's descendants.

The sanshin is said to have been purchased in exchange for an amount of rice equivalent to an adult man’s consumption for two and a half years. Tokunoshima’s historical records insist the sanshin’s “sound can be heard from a fishing boat 12 kilometers off the coast.”

The sanshin was donated by Minoru Shimaoka, 81, a resident of Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture.

His father, Shinko, who hails from Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, was presented with the sanshin in 1968 by a relative who is also a descendant of Naotomishu. After contacting the then Ryukyu government under U.S. rule, the ink description within the body was confirmed.

The sanshin was carefully stored but a decision was lately made to return it to Okinawa, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the prefecture’s reversion to Japan.

Sanshin often have the snakeskin on their bodies deteriorate over time. Wooden parts are often infested by bugs on many occasions as well. The instruments are continued to be used after the components are replaced, so it is rare for the year of their creation and their maker’s name to be identified.

On top of that, the fierce ground fighting during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa toward the end of World War II resulted in the destruction of many cultural properties. The sanshin was not destroyed in the battle since it had been taken to Tokunoshima.

Another factor behind its excellent condition is the fact that Shimaoka and his father were not adept at playing the sanshin, and the instrument was left in a “tokonoma” alcove for a long time.

“Due to that, the instrument could be returned to Okinawa in good condition,” said Shimaoka. “It is still playable so I want it to be performed on various occasions.”

Sanshin are believed to be based on an instrument imported from China during the 14th century.

Going through some updates in the Ryukyu Kingdom on what currently is Okinawa, sanshin were introduced in western Japan and were known afterward as samisen across Japan.

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