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Kokichi Kusano Shimedaiko taiko

Shime daiko

 

Shime daiko are small drums made with solid wooden bodies and with skins tightened to the bodies with rope or bolts along a solid metal ring.

 

Shime daiko are cousins of rope fastened ceremonial drums used in court ritual and derived from designs brought from the mainland centuries ago. 

 

The shime daiko requires enormous strength to tighten in order to achieve the optimal pitch, which is a high, distinct and sharp cutting pitch. Requiring just as much dexterity and strength to play as their larger cousins, they are a dynamic and essential part of the family of drums from Japan.

 

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