Okinawa Day 2024 will take place on Saturday 22 June at the Blue Market in Bermondsey. Read more …

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.

Photo of sanshin players

Join our practices of Okinawan songs and Eisa taiko dancing

When Saturdays
Time 3–6 pm
Where Room G52, SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG. (Map)

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 practice 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 in room G52 at SOAS. We don’t meet every week, so please contact us for the latest information, to request to be added to our mailing list, and to make sure that you’re on the attendee list to get into SOAS.

Photo of Sanshinkai group