14th
The sanshin glossary
I thought it might be useful to put together a list of frequently used words associated with the sanshin. I might put up a map of the sanshin later, but for now I figure this should do well enough.
Sanshin parts
bachi, tsume (バチ、爪) - The nail like piece used to play the sanshin.
chiiga (胴) - The square-like wooden body of the sanshin.
chiru/jiru/gen (絃) - Strings used with the sanshin.
itokake (糸掛け) - A round threaded piece placed at the end of the sanshin to the hold the gen to the sanshin.
karakui (範) - Pegs used to tune the sanshin.
sou (棹) - The long piece of wood that makes up the neck of the sanshin.
tiigaa (手掛) - The decorative cloth that’s wrapped around the body of the of the sanshin.
uma (駒) - The bridge used to hole up the strings on the drum.
Other
chindami (ちんだみ) - The sanshin’s tuning.
kunkunshi (工工四) - Music sheets used for the sanshin.
miijiru (女絃) - Literally translated as “Female string,” it’s the thinnest and highest pitched string on the sanshin.
nakajiru (中絃) - “Middle string.”
ten (天) - The “head” part of the sanshin.
utaguchi (歌口) - The bar below box-like cutout in the head of the sanshin where the gen are set.
uujiru (男絃) - Literally translated as “male string,” it’s the thickest and lowest sounding string on the sanshin.
＊Leave a comment to let me know if I’m missing something important!
