Welcome to the Sanshinkai website
London Okinawa Sanshinkai is a group of people who are enthusiastic about Okinawan folk and classical music and traditional dance. Amongst the members are Okinawans, mainland Japanese and several other nationalities. Anyone of any nationality and musical ability is welcome to join.
Join our practices of Okinawan songs and Eisa taiko dancing
| When | Saturdays |
| Time | 3–6 pm |
| Where | Ramla Ali studio, SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG. (Map) |
We usually practise uta-sanshin (singing and playing sanshin) for the first 1–1½ hours, and eisa (dancing) after that.
We play and teach Okinawan folk and classical music and traditional dance using the sanshin (a 3-stringed lute), taiko (stick drums), samba (like a castanet) and sometimes other instruments like the koto and fue (flute). We gather on Saturdays of every month to practise and socialise, and organise several parties throughout the year where we play, sing, dance, eat Okinawan and Japanese cuisine and generally enjoy ourselves. We are often invited to provide entertainment at various events, allowing us to perform to a wider audience.
We usually practise on Saturdays at SOAS. Please come along to a practice if you’d like to find out more. Contact us for more details and to check that we are practising on the day.
