So, one evening Dana and I had a rare night out thanks to my dear friend Katie. She lives near Zampa Beach so we dropped off the kidos and had a fun ramen dinner at a local joint and then walked down to the white sandy beach. We were (we thought) the only ones out there. We walked along the beach and did some good heart and soul talking when much to my enjoyment I could quietly hear a sanshin in the distance!
We followed the sound of the music, took our shoes off to cross the reef and climbed up the side of the pier. This is what I found! A lone man playing his sanshin on a sunset lit evening. Can I just tell you that I was in heaven? I snuck up to him and took several pictures of him. When he discovered me, he was happy to pose for several more.
One of my favorite cultural experiences here on the island is the shamisen/sanshin. It is much like a cross between a banjo and a guitar. Why don't you turn off my music on the bottom of the screen (push the button to pause it) and then listen to this youtube video. The boys picked this one out, as they all loved the sanshin and the taiko drums! Have you ever heard the song, The Devil Went Down to Georgia? Well, this is the Japanese version of a "dual" with the sanshin and taiko. I love it! The sanshin here on the island look a little different. They are more of a round shape and are covered in either habu or python skin. Owning one is rapidly moving to the top of my "must-have-before-we-leave-the-island" list.
3 comments:
I love that picture!! So beautiful with the sunset. I, too, love the sanshin!
Wow... what a great date that would be! I LOVE your pics (especially the one of him playing - where he's all silhouetted out)... nice!
The post, the pic and the music are great!!!
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