Today is World Theater Day! This o-tsuzumi drum is used as part of the music ensemble in the classical Japanese dance-drama style Noh. Performed since the 14th century, Noh integrates masks, costumes, props, music, and dancing, and its subjects are often based on traditional tales and works of literature. The music is played by an ensemble known as the hayashi that is traditionally made up of the fue (flute), kotsuzumi (hourglass-shaped shoulder drum), o-tsuzumi (hourglass-shaped hip drum), and taiko (stick drum). This o-tsuzumi dates to the 16th or 17th century and is decorated with an enamel coating and gold powder.
Hand-drum (o-tsuzumi) for Noh music
- Collection
- Freer Gallery of Art Collection
- Exhibition History
- Autumn Colors (October 19 to December 20, 1984)
- Japanese and Chinese Lacquer (September 22, 1982 to June 30, 1983)
- Japanese Art—Autumn Voices (October 14, 1981 to December 16, 1981)
- Data Source
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- Date
- late 16th-early 17th century
- Period
- Momoyama or Edo period
- Credit Line
- Purchase — funds provided by the bequest of Edith Ehrman
- Medium
- Lacquer-covered cherry wood, powdered gold, animal skin, and iron and hemp fittings (hiramaki-e, nashiji)
- Dimensions
- H x W: 27.9 x 22.9 cm (11 x 9 in)
- Type
- Musical Instrument
