The Musical Instruments of Rokusai Nenbutsu
The Musical Instruments of Rokusai Nenbutsu
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Before the performance begins, the instruments and the lion mask are arranged on stage, welcoming the audience into the ceremonial space of Rokusai Nenbutsu.
In Rokusai Nenbutsu, the musical ensemble is structured around taiko drums, gongs, and flutes.
Each instrument functions not merely as accompaniment, but plays a distinct role within each piece, closely intertwined with the choreography and movement.
Tomoe Taiko is a small hand-held drum, commonly referred to as “Dondon.” The drumhead bears the right-facing triple tomoe crest.
In Yotsudaiko, four drums are mounted on a wooden frame and played together, forming the rhythmic foundation of the ensemble. The drums establish the tempo to which the other instruments respond.
With its light and sharply articulated sound, Tomoe Taiko serves as the core rhythmic instrument of Rokusai Nenbutsu.
Shoukou Taiko is similar in form to the Tomoe Taiko but slightly larger and more elaborately decorated. It features gold and silver ornamentation, including a chrysanthemum crest, reflecting its formal character.
The drum is said to have been bestowed by Gokuraku-in Temple in 1897 (Meiji 30). A piece known as “Shoko Taiko” is believed to have existed in the past, although it is no longer performed today.
At present, the drum is primarily used in the opening and closing prayers—particularly in the sections known as “Uchidashi” and “Amida-uchi.” It symbolizes the ceremonial and devotional dimension of Rokusai Nenbutsu.
Mame Taiko is a small drum with a structure unique to Rokusai Nenbutsu. An inner membrane known as shirabari is attached inside the drum body, suppressing resonance and producing a dry, high-pitched sound.
It is well suited to agile and intricate drumming patterns and is used in most performances, with the exception of the Lion Dance (Shishimai) and Gion Bayashi.
Its tone is characterized by a refined quality that reflects the urban cultural background of Senbon Rokusai-kai.
Nichō-zuri (paired hanging gongs)
In Rokusai Nenbutsu, a pair of gongs known as Nichō-zuri (“two-suspended gongs”) is played by a single performer. The instrument is used in all repertoire.
Using a split striker, the performer strikes both gongs simultaneously, producing a bright and festive tone. The gongs have three projecting lugs and are slightly smaller than the hayashi gongs used in festival music.
Hayashi-gane (festival gong)
These are five gongs used in Gion Bayashi. They are struck on the concave underside. Striking the bottom produces a low “kon” sound, while striking the upper and lower rims produces a sharper “chikichin” tone.
The hayashi gongs of Senbon Rokusai-kai measure approximately 21 cm in diameter and weigh about 3.7 kilograms each. The gong stand is the only dedicated stage prop among performance-oriented Rokusai groups, and a lantern bearing the name of the association is displayed above the crossbeam.
The striker (suri) consists of a whale-baleen handle fitted with a deer-antler head. Some of the gongs preserved by Senbon Rokusai-kai date back to the Ansei era (1854–1860), and their distinctive sound has been passed down through generations.
Six-hole Hayashi-bue (Japanese transverse flute)
One distinctive feature of the Kyoto performance-oriented Rokusai tradition, in contrast to many regional forms of Rokusai Nenbutsu, is the use of the flute. The incorporation of the flute is thought to reflect the introduction of more theatrical and decorative elements—such as fūryū and other performative additions—beyond the original devotional chanting.
The flute used by Senbon Rokusai-kai is a six-hole hayashi-bue. Compared with the standard shinobue, it has a wider bore and produces a deep, centered, and subdued tone. Flutes of similar dimensions are known to be used by several other Kyoto Rokusai groups, suggesting a shared lineage.
Hayashi-daiko (a type of shime-daiko)
This is the Shime-daiko used in Gion Bayashi. After Senbon Rokusai-kai lost its connection with the Gion Festival around 1950, the drum fell out of use, and the tradition of taiko performance within Gion Bayashi ceased.
In 1998, the drum was repaired and reinstated for use in the nagashi section of the performance, particularly for the accompanying taiko dance.
O-daiko (large drum)
Odaiko is the largest drum used in Rokusai Nenbutsu and provides the lowest register within the ensemble. It is fitted with handles characteristic of Rokusai construction, allowing it to be integrated into choreographed movement.
Among instruments that generally emphasize higher tones, the Odaiko produces a powerful low resonance and serves as a dramatic focal point in performance.
It is used for fure-daiko (accent strokes marking structural transitions), as well as in Yotsudaiko, Ganji-bō, and the “Ji-mawari” section of the Lion Dance (Shishimai).
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