Drum

Contemporary Japanese hour-glass shaped drum (shoulder drum). At the beginning of the 7th c. musical progress received a great impetus from the seal of the Crown Prince Umayado. He is described as the inventor of the O-tsusumi and Ko-tsusumi, the shoulder and side drums of Japan. It would, however, be more correct to say it is an adaption and modification of the old tsusumi of China. The faces of the shoulder drum have black laquer rims, one ring inside and ornaments, in the shape of our 3-leaf clover at the six holes through which the cords pass (compare side drum). The red body of the Chinese drum is replaced by one of black laquer with gold decoration. In the Japanese drums the center part of the body is molded. Hand drum for 'Noh' dance and accompaniment to singing.