{{distinguish|Kankara}} {{Italic title|reason=:Category:Japanese words and phrases}} thumb|right|{{Transliteration|ja|Kankara sanshin}} The {{nihongo||かんから|'''kankara'''}} or {{Transliteration|ja|'''kankara sanshin'''}} (literally "{{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} from a can") is a Ryukyu islands three-stringed ethic plucked instrument, initially an improvised derivative of the Okinawan {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} that was developed in the Ryukyu Islands during the Shōwa period.

Like the wooden-bodied {{Transliteration|ja|gottan}}, the {{Transliteration|ja|kankara}} is an inexpensive alternative to other, professional Ryukyuan and Japanese lutes – namely the {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} and the similar, albeit larger {{Transliteration|ja|shamisen}}. Unlike the {{Transliteration|ja|gottan}}, however, the {{Transliteration|ja|kankara}} was invented much later and served a much different purpose historically.

==History== The {{Transliteration|ja|kankara sanshin}} originates in the period following the World War II Battle of Okinawa. Okinawans, including men detained by the American military, made use of metal cans discarded by the Americans, and used them as the body for improvised {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}}.<ref name="Oguma2014">{{cite book|author=Eiji Oguma|author-link1=Eiji Oguma|title=The Boundaries of "The Japanese": Okinawa 1818-1972 Inclusion and Exclusion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_OekzELsUCIC&pg=PA358|date=1 April 2014|publisher=Trans Pacific Press|isbn=978-1-920901-48-6|pages=358–}}</ref>

A similar type of can-based {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} was made by Japanese-Americans in internment camps in the United States during the war.<ref name="Nakasone2002">{{cite book|author=Ronald Y. Nakasone|title=Okinawan Diaspora|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KirIeYfhZukC&pg=PA105|date=1 January 2002|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-2530-0|pages=105–}}</ref>

Since World War II, {{Transliteration|ja|kankara}} have become popular as inexpensive alternatives to the {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} or {{Transliteration|ja|shamisen}}, and professional {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} or {{Transliteration|ja|shamisen}} makers have begun to craft them and include them in their stores, online and in catalogues. The {{Transliteration|ja|kankara}} itself has also evolved to some degree, with certain makers creating more ornate instruments with hand-painted frontal designs and the decorative wrappings {{nihongo||手掛|tiigaa}} that are a feature of the {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} proper. DIY "build-your-own" {{Transliteration|ja|kankara sanshin}} kits are also readily available.

== Construction and components == {{unreferenced section|date=July 2009}} The following is a list of basic components that normally make up a {{Transliteration|ja|kankara sanshin}}, with Okinawan and Japanese phrases that refer to the English terms in {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} and {{Transliteration|ja|shamisen}} parlance:

* {{nihongo|Body|胴||Okinawan: ''chiiga'', Japanese: ''dou''}} <ref>{{Cite web |title=大琉球語辞典 |url=https://ryukyu-lang.lab.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/jdetail/774359 |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=ryukyu-lang.lab.u-ryukyu.ac.jp}}</ref>— An empty metal can or cylinder is used to create the body of the instrument, in lieu of the snakeskin-covered bodies typical of {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}}. * {{nihongo|Headstock|天|ten}} — The headstock of the instrument is made in an unspecified way, usually resembling that of a {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} or {{Transliteration|ja|shamisen}}. It is normally an extension of the neck. * {{nihongo|Neck|棹||Okinawan: ''sō''}} — The long neck of the instrument is constructed from any one of an assortment of different types of wood.{{efn|Originally, the neck was usually crafted from the leg post of a bed and was whittled down by using old, typically worn swords or bayonets left over from the war.}} * {{nihongo|Strings|絃||Okinawan: ''chiru/jiru'', Japanese: ''gen''}} <ref>{{Cite web |title=大琉球語辞典 |url=https://ryukyu-lang.lab.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/jdetail/395135 |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=ryukyu-lang.lab.u-ryukyu.ac.jp}}</ref>— The {{Transliteration|ja|kankara}}, normally being a less costly instrument than a {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} proper, may have its strings made from any of a variety of materials. There is no normative material used for stringing. Nylon, sinew, metal wire and other materials may be used, depending upon the maker.{{efn|Originally, parachute cords were utilized for this purpose.}} * {{nihongo|Tuning pegs|範||Okinawan: ''karakui''}} — The tuning pegs/knobs/keys used for the {{Transliteration|ja|kankara}} are made in an unspecified way, sometimes resembling the long pegs characteristic of the {{Transliteration|ja|sanshin}} and {{Transliteration|ja|shamisen}}, and at other times more akin to those found on modern and classical guitars.

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

== See also == * Ryukyuan music * {{Transliteration|ja|Sanshin}} * {{Transliteration|ja|Gottan}} * {{Transliteration|zh|Sanxian}} * {{Transliteration|ja|Shamisen}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book|author=Kōshichi Taira|title=Kankara sanshin: Taira Kōshichi no mita sengo Okinawa 20-nen no kiroku|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_xWAAAAYAAJ|year=1982|publisher=Saníchi Shobō}}

{{Traditional Japanese musical instruments}}

Category:Drumhead lutes Category:Necked lutes Category:Okinawan folk music