Kankara Sanshin

Here's my latest toy, a reasonably authentic Okinawan Kankara Sanshin.
The Kankara Sanshin was developed in the aftermath of the Second World War when suitable wood and python skins were unavailable, so tin cans were used for the body of the instrument.
The music is "Two String Boogie", an extemporaneous improvisation I came up with on the spot, since the bass string broke and I can't play anything I know.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Okinawa
• kankara
• sanshin
• shamisen
• home
• made
• hand
• built
• tin
• can

[Coasterguy45]

great vid!! Just one question: how long is the neck?

[Hikikomori013]

@Coasterguy45 From the nut to the bridge is 23 inches. The neck goes all the way through the body for a total length of 30.5 inches.The length sticking out of the body depends on the diameter of the can, but mine is 18 inches from the body to the nut.

[Coasterguy45]

@Hikikomori013 and the width of the neck and space between each string? Thanks in advance!

[Hikikomori013]

@Coasterguy45 That would depend on your own tastes, but I use 3/8" between the strings. On this instrument the neck is 1-1/8" wide and 3/4" deep at the nut and 1-1/4" wide at the body.

Did you do a web search for making kankara sanshin? There's a lot of good info on how to build your own.

[nng555]

Hi, I'm also making my own Sanshin. I was wondering how you were able to cut the bridge, how you tied the knot to secure the strings, how you carved the pegs, and what kind of guitar strings you used. I'd really appreciate any help.

[Hikikomori013]

@nng555 I got the neo (tailpiece) from a video by fiddlefella. I made it from a 6 foot long bootlace. Check out his videos.

The pegs were cut to a taper on a small band saw (that's also how I cut out the bridge) rounded with a pocket knife and sanded round. The holes are drilled two sizes for the taper. Today i would just use ukulele friction pegs.

Guitar strings are nylon #1,2 and 3. but 2,3 and 4 are probably better.

[GarF1eId]

Kiri kai matahon. Doha ka yubin? Kon'inara, makahimubakku o inare gamiton an... ha?

Oops... hmm. I'ts good. Say, two strings? That's cool! There's even a musical instrument here in the Philippines with onry two strings- the kujapi.

So... Sanshin made with can is named Kankara? what about one made from a plastic container? XD

[Hikikomori013]

@ukekeysandbees Subsequent videos include actual music.

The last year and a half have been a lot of fun, from my first primitive plywood box instrument to my noticeably nicer banjos.

For a really nice instrument, check out fiddlefella's shamisen. He played his latest project in the National shamisen competition in Hirosaki, Japan.

[ukekeysandbees]

It's great to make your own instrument!! well done, it has a distinctive sound too!

[Hikikomori013]

@FeatherHailfrost

Sorry, I just make things as a hobby so I can't take commissions, but they're really easy to make. Do a web search for Makeman Kankara and you should find instructions on how to build your own. The chord length is 23 inches from nut to bridge. You just need an empty one pound butter cookie can or coffee can and a piece of 1x2 to get started. I use the first 3 nylon guitar strings.

Are you on the Simple Sanshin forum? Lots of good stuff there.