Drum and Keiro, A Kind of Musical Instrument Used for the Bugaku Dance - Takashima Chiharu

A detailed woodblock print by Takashima Chiharu depicting traditional Japanese Bugaku musical instruments with accompanying calligraphy.

This woodblock print by Takashima Chiharu depicts two specific instruments associated with Bugaku, the traditional court dance of Japan. The composition focuses on a large drum, decorated with geometric patterns and finished with decorative tassels, positioned alongside a keiro. The keiro is a handheld instrument featuring small, circular metal components that produce sound when shaken. The artist employs a clean, precise line quality to define the structural details of the instruments, ensuring the viewer can observe the craftsmanship of the wooden frames and the tension of the drum skin.

The inclusion of Japanese calligraphy surrounding the instruments provides context regarding their function and cultural usage within the imperial court. The print reflects the meticulous observation common in nineteenth-century Japanese woodblock prints, where artists documented various aspects of material culture, including clothing, tools, and musical apparatus. The colour palette remains restrained, relying on muted earth tones, soft reds, and subtle blues to maintain a focus on the form and function of the objects rather than decorative excess.

Takashima Chiharu captures the instruments in a static, balanced arrangement, allowing for a clear examination of their physical properties. The print serves as a visual record of historical performance equipment. The use of negative space around the central subjects directs the eye to the specific details of the drum's surface and the delicate construction of the keiro. This work is an example of the technical precision achieved by Japanese printmakers during this period, who balanced aesthetic composition with informative, documentary-style illustration. The print is presented on paper that retains a natural, aged texture, consistent with the production methods of the era.