kotsuzumi

Kotsuzumi is a traditional Japanese drum, one of the two main drums in the tsuzumi family, the other being otsuzumi. The name means “small drum,” and the instrument is noted for its high, tense timbre. It is commonly used in Noh theater and appears in other traditional performing arts as well.

The kotsuzumi is hourglass-shaped and typically made of a carved wooden body with two animal-skin heads. The drum is held on the left shoulder or placed on the knee during performance and is attached with cords. The pitch and timbre are actively controlled by the performer: the left hand squeezes cords to adjust tension inside the drum, allowing pitch modulation, while the right hand strikes the upper head with a small stick or beater to produce rhythm.

In performance, the kotsuzumi provides crisp, sharp cues and expressive accents that support singing, acting, and movement. Its sounds are often contrasted with those of the larger otsuzumi, which delivers deeper tones and a different rhythmic emphasis. The instrument plays an essential role in the noh ensemble, where specialized playing techniques convey emotions, indicate transitions, and enhance dramatic effect.

Origin and development trace to medieval Japan, with formal refinement during the Muromachi and Edo periods. Today, the kotsuzumi remains a standard instrument in noh ensembles and is sometimes used in contemporary stage productions and ceremonial contexts.