Small Noh Drum with Floral Design (Translation)
花草沈金小鼓胴 室町-桃山時代 (Primary Title)

Unknown (Artist)

16th century
Japanese
Lacquer and gold on wood
Overall: 10 × 3 15/16 in., 1.27 lb. (25.4 × 10 cm, 0.6 kg)
2018.428
Not on view
These lacquered wooden drums serve as the central components of percussion instruments played in Noh theater performances. When fully assembled, they feature horsehide heads on either end, tautly tied with a thick, red cord. Both traditional sizes of Noh drums, small and large, are represented here; the smaller made to be placed on the musician’s right shoulder and the larger on their knee, in both instances struck the player’s right hand.
Muromachi (1392-1573) or Momoyama period (1573-1615)
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Kathleen Boone Samuels Memorial Fund

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