Kaasutada

Kaasutada is a traditional Japanese lute-like instrument that belongs to the shamisen family of instruments. The shamisen family also includes other instruments like the okinawan sanshin and the koto. It originated in Okinawa, Japan, and is an essential part of the traditional Ryukyu Kingdom music.

The kaasutada is typically played during the traditional dances of the Ryukyu Kingdom, particularly the Ryukyu kompi dance. It has a similar structure to the shamisen, with three or four strings and a round body. The strings are typically made of silk or nylon, and are tuned to a range of notes that produce a distinct, melancholic sound.

One of the distinctive characteristics of the kaasutada is its throat sounder, a narrow ridge or groove running along the neck that produces a unique, almost vocal quality. This is achieved by plucking the strings near the sounder, causing the vibrations to be amplified and altered. The kaasutada is played with a combination of plectral plucking and finger plucking, allowing the player to achieve a range of tonal colors.

Kaasutada was originally used in traditional Ryukyu Kingdom music to accompany the stories of the "Okinawan Okina legends". These stories have a deep cultural significance in the Ryukyu Kingdom and are often passed down through generations of musicians. Today, the kaasutada is still an essential part of traditional Okinawan music, although its popularity has somewhat declined with the increasing influence of modern styles. Despite this, the kaasutada remains an important part of Okinawan cultural heritage.