clave-like folk instrument; two bamboo pieces beaten together
A traditional Japanese percussion instrument made of two bamboo sticks struck together, used in folk music such as the こきりこ節 (Kokiriko-bushi) from Toyama Prefecture.
In Kokiriko-bushi, they dance while striking the kokiriko together.
The kokiriko is indispensable for this folk song.
拍子木 are larger wooden clappers used for signaling or keeping rhythm in theater, while こきりこ is a smaller, clave-like instrument specific to certain folk music.
ささら is a general term for various scraped or struck folk percussion instruments; こきりこ is a specific type of bamboo clapper.
Standard kanji spelling for this traditional instrument.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji are obscure.
Variant spelling; less common but still encountered.
Rare ateji spelling; may be seen in historical or specialized contexts.
The name こきりこ is likely onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of the bamboo pieces striking together. The kanji spellings are ateji, with 小切り子 suggesting 'small cut pieces' and 筑子 possibly referencing an ancient Chinese instrument, though the exact derivation is uncertain.