Narimono

 

Narimono is a catagory of instruments that includes percussive instruments such as wooden blocks, bells and cymbols. Many of these instruments take their origins from the mainland of Asia and were introduced to Japan as instruments of Buddhist ritual. 

 

Some common instruments used in Japanese music today are:

 

Atari gane - a rope suspended bell shaped like a pot with two tones, a low pitch when the rim is struck and a high pitch produced when the face of the instrument if struck. The Atari gane has a unique sound that is only produced when struck with mallets made of antler.

 

Chappa (Jangara, tebyoshi) - are cymbols carried one in each hand that permit a variety of sounds including chime like rhythmic strikes and prolonged splashes.

 

Hyoshigi - wooden blocks which amongst other things were once used to announce the time in communities and temples as well as signalling key moments of importance and change in Kabuki theatre.