Surigane
| Musical Instruments | |
|---|---|
| Fue | Flute |
| Chanpon | Cymbals |
| Hyoshigi | Wooden clappers |
| Taiko | Large drum |
| Surigane | Gong |
| Kotsuzumi | Small drum |
| Koto | |
| Shamisen | |
| Kokyu | |
The surigane 摺り鉦 or gong (sometimes “small gong”), is one of the nine Narimono or instruments for the Service. The name literally means “rubbing/dragging” (suri) on a piece of metal (gane). It is a percussion instrument made of metal and comes in the shape of a deep plate.[1]
In many instances, surigane are hung on a string rope held by the left hand and struck or with a wooden stick in the center or area around the center. The surigane is an instrument with an extensive history in Japan; specifics regarding its origin is unknown. It is called by various names and is an instrument widely used in religious ceremonies and folk music throughout Japan.
Use within Tenrikyo
The surigane was originally handheld but was suspended on a frame starting in 1887, similar to the shoko 鉦鼓 in gagaku. It is struck with two long wooden sticks. It is played differently from the shoko, however.
The surigane’s basic rhythm pattern is vocalized by the sound “chiki-chin.” The chiki is done with a diagonal motion that coincides with the upbeat or chanpon strikes. The chin coincides with the downbeat or hyoshigi strikes done in the monthly service style.
Notes/references
- ↑ Unless noted, most of the information on this page comes from 『改訂 天理教事典』Kaitei Tenrikyo jiten, pp.. 474–5.
