Sanba, a castanet-like Okinawan instrument, is made of three slips of ebony wood loosely connected with a rope. The player holds it between fingers, and strums it with fingers of the other hand. Strumming sanba is said to be good for development of the brain, and preventing dementia.

Yotsudake is a similar instrument that is made one in each hand, and is often featured in classical Ryukyu dance.