Kotsuzumi
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Kotsuzumi
The Kotsuzumi
Name: Kotsuzumi (meaning small tsuzumi/ small or hand drum)
Classification Number: 111.2
Origin
Originated in India and was introduced to Japan in the 6th or 7th century
The Player
History
A smaller version of the Tsuzumi. Although the Kotsuzumi is similar to the Tsuzumi, both instrument create different sounds.
The instrument is held on the player’s right shoulder and hit with fingers of the right hand. The drummer can produce four soft sounds by changing the tension of the rope with gentle squeezes. The drum must be kept in a humid environment. In order to keep this status, the player will breath or use saliva on the horse skin.
Environment
Example
Played at Noh and Kabuki ensembles as well as some folk music.
By the end of the Heian period, only women court dancers, shirabyoshi, would play the kotsuzumi.
Construction
Hourglass shape. Body of the instrument is made of cherry wood. Horse skin is used for the drum. External edge has six holes. Two skins are tied together with a linen called tate shirabe.