Hey there Bachido community,
I started playing Tsugaru Shamisen with Bachido and Okinawan Sanshin from my local teacher around 2 years ago and on YouTube I discovered a style blend of both which originates from Amami Island in between Japan and Okinawa.
It’s a real folk music style with a lot of soul featuring primarily what looks like a Sanshin but with the Japanese Shamisen’s yellow strings and a long thin bamboo bachi. There are more Shamisen playing tricks that I love the sound of than in Okinawan Sanshin music (Tsugaru style has the most tricks and challenges which is what I love too! :). Every song features singing and the instrument is tuned up quite high for a bright sound and the voice often soars into falsetto register.
I am a filmmaker with a passion for Japanese folk music and after visiting Japan 2 times and visiting an Amami bar in Tokyo I shook the performers hand and said “Amami music documentary next year” (which was in English so I’m not sure the message got through haha). I went to Amami Island and back to Japan last year to film interviews from many different community groups and locals who are passionate about their Amami music culture and have created a resource to share with the world at www.amamishamisen.com
It’s a new resource that features a documentary film to experience their music culture, some resources to get started learning how to play and some popular artist examples of what it sounds like. I created it because it’s what I was looking for a year or so ago and the internet was empty especially for English resources.
As a celebration to the Bachido community for helping me start Tsugaru Shamisen 2 years ago I’m giving an exclusive discount on the film by using the code: BACHIDO until the 29th.
Have you heard Amami music before? I enjoy playing all three styles, each have their own unique feeling 
Thanks so much!