# Rare Yaeyama Black Wood Sanshin by Master Artisan Naoki Uema, Signed, Unique Ujira Pattern, Makabe Model, Complete with Hard Case *沖縄三線　稀少八重山黒木 ウジラー 名工 内間直樹 『真壁』胴巻き県産品 (胴)本皮一枚張り 製作証明書付属　直筆サイン入り* - **Auction ID:** d1206452647 - **Status:** Sold (ended auction) - **Category:** Hobbies and Culture > Musical Instruments and Equipment > 和楽器 > 三線 > 本体 - **Brand:** Naoki Uema - **Price (JPY):** ¥400,000 (sold) - **Estimated all-in price (USD):** $2,984.38 — item $2,614.38 + Rinkya commission $355.00 + handling $15.00 - **Shipping:** Ships from Japan. Wins arrive at Rinkya's Tokyo warehouse; multiple items are combined into one international shipment, billed at actual carrier cost (NOT included in the all-in price). International transit is typically 1–2 weeks once shipped. ## Description * Thank you very much for viewing this item from among the many available. * For those looking for a black wood sanshin (Ema Kruchi) produced in Yaeyama, this is a must-see item. A dedicated piece crafted by the renowned artisan Naoki Uema has arrived, made in the "Makabe" style. This piece exhibits Uema's signature sharp characteristics and an enduring design that never gets old. Currently, harvesting of Yaeyama black wood is prohibited, making it an extremely rare material. This wood is completely dried with no warps or twists, being processed from logs that are split into quarters. The wood is Ujira pattern material. (Ujira pattern, which comes from the Okinawan dialect for quail, refers to the patterns on the wood resembling quail feathers or eggs.) The unique patterns add a visual delight for the performer. Uema meticulously carved the neck to showcase the Ujira patterns effectively. * The completion date of the neck is August 19, Year 7 of the Reiwa era. The length from the song mouth to the claw backside is 15.8 shaku (48 cm), and the overall length from the top to the monkey tail is 26.3 shaku (80 cm). The width at the lower, middle, and fifth positions is 2.1 cm, and the thickness is 1.9 cm, sculpted in a semicircle cross-section for easy gripping. The weight of the neck is 437 g excluding the karakui, song mouth, and chiru (strings), and the total weight once fully completed is 1.3 kg. The string store's length is 3.3 cm and width is 1.3 cm. * Yaeyama black wood is a native black sandalwood species found in Ishigaki, Iriomote, and surrounding islands. It belongs to the same category of wood as the black sandalwood produced abroad. While Kuruchi and black sandalwood might be seen as different types, Kuruchi in the dialect refers mainly to Yaeyama produce, whereas simply black sandalwood usually denotes foreign origin. The difference lies in the region where the foreign species grows, which is tropical, along with soil quality that results in harder material, leading to a higher-pitched sound when crafted into instruments. In contrast, Yaeyama varieties have a northern climate with seasons, and due to differences in soil and weather, the wood has a unique pliability referred to in dialect as Muchimi. This results in a softer sound with a lingering reverberation when made into instruments, characteristics that have made it a popular material since the time of the Ryukyu kingdom, especially suited for classical music. * Black wood refers to the type of tree that bears persimmons, with the heartwood being black in color. Its origin is India, with natural growth throughout Southeast Asia. It is said that Okinawa is its northern limit. Growth is very slow, taking around a hundred years for the heartwood to reach around 10 cm in size. It is believed it takes over two hundred years for the wood to become suitable for sanshin necks. However, due to recent deforestation and forest development, the numbers have drastically decreased, and regulations have made it difficult to source. Thus, only existing stock is available. Hence, in Okinawa, they are repurposing old floor pillars or garden trees. Afforestation activities are also ongoing. Therefore, sanshin crafted from this increasingly rare domestic material will become even fewer over time, and this presents a valuable opportunity to obtain it. * Naoki Uema is the fourth generation descendant of the renowned artisan Yoshikawa Moria, nicknamed "Changuar." As for how the craftsmanship of sanshin has been passed down, this dates back to the Meiji era. The first generation was the master Yoshikawa Moria, famously nicknamed Changuar, and he is very well-known among Okinawan sanshin enthusiasts, especially the elderly. His disciple is Inafuku Gunaga, who, alongside Yoshikawa, was reported in newspapers for being a master artisan. Inafuku's disciple is again Yamatani Akimori, who, as a classical musician, produces warm and easy-to-play sanshin. The disciple of Uema Naoki has traveled a different path, as artisanal training is mostly self-taught with few direct mentor-mentee relationships spanning generations. This lineage of instruction from the Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa is quite rare. The Tama flow curve on the neck of this sanshin exhibits the distinctive traits of the artisan Yoshikawa. Uema has expressed surprise at how closely the flow of the Tama and claw resemble those of his own style. Inside the neck, the author's original signature can be found. Uema has been involved in sanshin crafting since he was nineteen, and at thirty began full-time dedicated work in crafting, humbling himself to learn from customers' feedback and proactively adopting electric tools to create better pieces that please customers. Uema asserts that creating a sanshin requires the artisan to also be a performer, and he keeps the needs of players in mind while crafting, aiming for pieces that customers will cherish enough to keep over time. Among his attention to detail is ensuring there are no warps by carefully resting his eyes while working on the neck. Uema avoids consuming intense visual media that could negatively impact the craftsmanship of neck-making, stating, "I have much more to learn, and I will study until I die," valuing the depth and exploration of sanshin production. * The painting work is done by Ryoaki Hiyane and was finished on September 20, Year 7 of the Reiwa era, marking it as a new piece. The painting process can involve up to ten steps depending on the wood, including coating and sanding repeatedly, taking over a month to complete. Due to the artisan's meticulous nature, the finish is splendid. This piece has been crafted with a Sunchi paint (Sunchi paint refers to a transparent finish that vividly displays the grain of the wood) to enhance the visual appeal of the Ujira pattern found in Yaeyama black wood. * The skin covering the Chiga (body) was completed by Uema, utilizing carefully selected fresh skins from Nishiki snakes that will improve in sound quality as they age with use. The skin is comprised of one continuous layer, with the thickness on the front measuring eight parts and six parts on the back, and the frame material is camphor wood and zelkova, crafted by Okinawa artisans. The Tiiga (the body wrapping) features Yaeyama Minasa weaving, with the threading done by Uesato, and the karakui is in the shape of plum blossoms. * Regarding the sound, it is characterized by the unique soft and smooth tones of Yaeyama black wood. Uema describes the sound of this instrument as strikingly reminiscent of a temple bell. The fully applied skin body excellently draws out the sound. A recording of the actual tone has been uploaded to YouTube; please refer to the URL below to listen to the sound of the Yaeyama black wood Ujira "Makabe" model. Please note that to appreciate the sound more accurately, using headphones or earphones is recommended, as smartphone or tablet speakers might have limitations. * The "Makabe" model is said to be crafted by the renowned artisan Makabe. The neck is slender, arching from the middle string, and has a shortened string store, regarded as the most graceful model among sanshin shapes. * For secure transport, a new aluminum hard case is included free of charge. A stand for the neck is not included. * An original certificate of manufacturing is also provided. * The higher price is due to the use of the rare and hard-to-obtain Yaeyama black wood Ujira material, rendering this sanshin a highly valuable treasure to be bequeathed through generations. We highly recommend considering this rare opportunity. * The price includes shipping. * Thank you very much for reading until the end. If you are interested, please consider placing a bid. Sound of the Yaeyama black wood Ujira "Makabe" model: https://youtu.be/sxTTU9fhWXk?si=cqpy9-Smg41ycjcq ## Collector note This is a museum-quality sanshin from a documented lineage of master craftspeople spanning the Meiji era to present day—Naoki Uema represents the fourth generation of a direct teaching chain that includes the legendary Yoshikawa Moria (Changuar). The instrument's value stems from three convergent factors: Yaeyama black wood harvesting is now prohibited, making existing stock finite and prices appreciative; the Ujira pattern material and Makabe model represent apex traditional design; and Uema's meticulous joinery (evident in the signed interior neck carving) commands respect among serious sanshin performers and collectors in Japan. The 2023 completion date, paired with a formal certificate of authenticity and professional finishing by specialist Ryoaki Hiyane, positions this as a contemporary collectible instrument that will appreciate as domestic Yaeyama wood becomes scarcer. ## Images - https://auctions.c.yimg.jp/images.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/image/dr000/auc0111/user/d7d796a6fa592c2bb9fbee77901d983a6e5458ff138e0c25feccc6831daea31e/i-img1200x1200-17621578776358d3zmob35.jpg ## Links - View on Rinkya: https://www.rinkya.com/discover/item/rare-yaeyama-black-wood-sanshin-by-master-artisan-naoki-uema-signed-un-d1206452647 - Find live items like this: https://www.rinkya.com/discover/live --- Rinkya is a proxy bidding & shopping service for buyers outside Japan. Prices in USD are estimates that include Rinkya commission and handling; the final yen price may change while an auction is live.