Hyoshigi

Hyoshigi is a wooden percussion used for kabuki theater, ningyo joruri puppet show, sumo battle, and a daily life. It consists of a pair of sticks and has about 25cm in length. The player holds a stick in each hand and claps them each other.

The hyoshigi consists of two bamboo or hardwood pieces that are typically connected to each other by a slender ornamental rope. These percussions serve as clappers and are played by striking both pieces together or against the floor.

They are often used in kabuki theater to point out that the performance is about to start. During the actual play, these instruments are also used to create different rhythms that imply stressful situations.