Small Noh Drum with Chrysanthemum Design (Translation)
菊蒔絵小鼓胴 室町-江戶 皮二枚付 (Primary Title)

Unknown (Artist)

16th–18th century
Japanese
Lacquer and maki-e on wood
Overall: 10 1/8 × 3 3/4 in., 1.11 lb. (25.72 × 9.53 cm, 0.5 kg)
2018.426
These lacquered wooden drums serve as the central components of percussion instruments played in Noh theater performances. When fully assembled, they feature thick, red cords tautly tying two horsehide heads to either end of the drum. These examples are the smaller of two traditional sizes, made to be placed on the musician’s right shoulder and played with the right hand, accompanying singing and dancing onstage.
Muromachi (1392-1573) to Edo period (1615-1868)
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Kathleen Boone Samuels Memorial Fund

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