Luckily, we were able to see the cutting of the snake skin
that would become the material for the shamisen on the day we visited.
The snake skin was from an Indian Python around 5 to 6 metres in length.
Most of the snake skin is imported from Vietnam, and the skin from one snake is enough to make four to five shamisen.
The best quality skin is near the head of the snake,
which tends to have a better pattern and make for a better sound.
A rod is then added to the shamisen body, and its angle is adjusted.
Even the slightest misplacement will ruin the instrument’s sound.
These artisans’ careful and delicate process creates some of the world’s finest sounding shamisen.
The second generation owner Seiichi Tsuha explained that he wants to spread these instruments to young people
and visitors to Okinawa as a fun way to learn about traditional Japanese performing arts,
and to educate people about the traditional Okinawan performing arts.
The shop front is lined with Shamisens.
The city of Uruma City is actually known for its rich Eisa Shamisen culture,
and the shop receives customers from all ages, and even orders from out of province and abroad.
Thanks to Tsuha Shamisen, this ancient art will continue to be passed from generation to generation.