drum core in shape of two adjoined chalices; black lacquer with gold flecked grape vines, leaves, and squirrels

Large hand-drum core with grapevines and squirrels, late 16th century

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These ornately decorated lacquer objects are the cores of handheld drums used in performances of Noh theater and Kabuki. To these cores would have been affixed a drumhead of animal hide.

The lacquer decorations are in the so-called “kōdaiji” style, which was popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Production of kōdaiji lacquer objects, which often feature floral motifs, involved the painstaking application of many coats of black lacquer, gold and/or silver dust and flakes, and transparent lacquer.

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Details
Title
Large hand-drum core with grapevines and squirrels
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.79.404
Catalogue Raisonne
Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 776
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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drum core in shape of two adjoined chalices; black lacquer with gold flecked grape vines, leaves, and squirrels