NMM 4112. Shimedaiko, Japan, ca. 1840-1850. Double-headed, shallow barrel drum with animal-skin heads lashed to iron rims. Rims larger in diameter than the shell, a typical feature of drums of this type. Barrel shell lacquered black with floral decoration. Vegetal rope secures heads to barrel shell. Only one head, thicker than the other, is used for playing. Shimedaiko, literally, "laced drum," is the preferred drum for traditional No theater, where it is often referred to as nodaiko. Suspended horizontally on a low stand, it is played with two sticks, which have slightly beveled ends. Diameter: 14-1/2". Depth: 5-7/8". Arne B. and Jeanne F. Larson Endowment Fund, 1987.