SANSHIN (三線) is one of the native musical instruments belong to Ryukyu (Okinawa) It is well know as it’s part of east asian culture that received from Mongolia. They are also SANXIEN in China that also have a similar body made from snake skin with 3 strings, SHAMISEN in Japan mainland but body parts are made from cats skin. Different cultures have different names but meaning the same as 3 strings.