About Kotsudzumi

Kotsudzumi, a shoulder drum, is one of a Japanese traditional percussion instrument.

They beat this Kotsudzumi drum with calling out when they play the Japan's Noh Drama.

Kotsudzumi is a distinct instrument which strikes a harmonic note with beating and calling.

Kotsudzumi consists of three parts, literally means "body" , "Skin" and "tune".

"Body" is made from core cut cherry tree and coated with beautiful gold- relief lacquer ware.

The core was cut spirally and the sound rebounded itself inside and produce that wonderful sound.

"Skin" is made from horsehide and the part of beating with a hand. A soft colt skin is one of the best skin for making this dram.　The skin prefers an appropriate amount of humidity, so they sometimes make an adjustment with putting rice paper.

"Tune" is a hemp twine which knot skin together. The player loosen and tighten the hemp twine for tracking in addition to changing the beat.

The sound consist of 5 different tone, " Kan", " Otsu", "Kashira", " Hodo", "Tsu".
We normally visualize Kotsudzumi sound " Yooo tum" is a tone of " Kan".
" Kan " means top or shrill tone, and the player make this instrument with holding tune and make it less sing and sound the dram.

At the exercises of this dram, the tone " Otsu" is called Po and " Kan" is called Chi.

Most "Body" parts of Kotsudzumi now playing at the stage are made in Muromachi to Edo period. ( around 1336 to 1867.)
The "Skin" part which is made less than 50 years ago are called as newly skin and is difficult to make delicate sound.
In addition, it's difficult to matching the "body" and the "skin" so as to find good Kotsudzumi, which is also part of this art.