ō-tsuzumi

drum

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The ō-tsuzumi is a type of Japanese hourglass-shaped drum with two heads, commonly used in Noh and Kabuki theatre music. It is larger than the ko-tsuzumi and features cowhide skins that are heated before being tied tightly to the drum's body. Held on the player's left hip, the ō-tsuzumi produces a cracking sound when one head is struck with the fingers of the right hand, sometimes protected by thimbles to intensify the sound. This drum is related to the Korean changgo.1

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tsuzumi
… are the ko-tsuzumi and the ō-tsuzumi, found in the music of Noh and Kabuki theatres. Although the ko-tsuzumi and the ō-tsuzumi are quite similar in appearance, the manner in which they are played and the sound and tone they produce are quite distinct. Both heads of the smaller ko-tsuzumi are…
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… are the ko-tsuzumi and the ō-tsuzumi, found in the music of Noh and Kabuki theatres. Although the ko-tsuzumi and the ō-tsuzumi are quite similar in appearance, the manner in which they are played and the sound and tone they produce are quite distinct. Both heads of the smaller ko-tsuzumi are…
Read More