
KABUKI & NOH PERCUSSION
Performed by Takinojo Mochizuki
*compatible with BFD2.1 and BFD EcoImpeccable software rendering of 56 percussion instruments
used in Kabuki and Noh performances
We recorded 56 essential instruments for this library. From the Kabuki and Noh hayashi flute-and-drums ensemble, we sampled the kotsuzumi (an hourglass-shaped hand drum), the otsuzumi (a large hand drum), the shimedaiko (a pitched drum), the Noh flute, and various kakegoe calls (yo and ho calls). And we selected the most necessary percussive “noisemakers” to any Kabuki performance, including the odaiko (a large drum), daibyoshi (a short-bodied drum), okedoh (a barrel drum), mamedaiko (the “imperial” drum), uchiwadaiko (a “fan” drum), atarigane (a saucer-shaped gong), chanchiki (another round bell), soban (a smaller gong), ekiro (a doughnut-shaped horse bell), music boxes, hontsurigane (a large bell), dora (a gong), and mokugyo (an ornate wooden gong). These have been paired with ashibyoshi foot beats and tsukeuchi sound-effect clappers that add drama to a powerful Kabuki performance.We were extremely fortunate to have someone as renowned as Takinojo Mochizuki perform these instruments for our recording sessions. Without his precise mastery of these instruments and his vibrant, lively playing style, we could have never reproduced the diverse expressiveness these instruments are capable of.


Features
- 56 key Japanese percussion instruments
- Left and right hand hits sampled alternately with up to 99 velocity layers for very natural dynamics and roll expressions
- Full range of the expressive kotsuzumi, from crisp hand taps to detailed portamento slides
- Tsukeuchi sound-effect clappers that heighten the actor’s dramatic poses and the ashibyoshi foot beats matched to dance steps
- 27 types and 148 variations of kakegoe calls and 20 types and 61 variations of Noh flute phrases that are an irreplaceable part of any performance
- Well-kept vintage microphones and preamp captured the instruments’ authentic voices
- All instruments were recorded with multiple microphones. Direct 1/2, Overhead (stereo), and Room (stereo) captures enable simple but effective mixing.
- 160 MIDI grooves (patterns) of real Japanese musical rhythms

Takinojo Mochizuki — master traditional Japanese percussionist
Takinojo specializes in playing traditional Japanese percussion instruments such as the kotsuzumi and other hand drums. Performing in a variety of styles, from Kabuki music to modern, he is an undisputable master of Japanese folk music and folk instruments.
Learn more about Takinojo Mochizuki at:
http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~takinojo
160 MIDI patterns
The BFD2 library contains 160 grooves performed on MIDI drums by Takinojo Mochizuki, giving you instant access to real nagauta and Noh performance rhythm patterns.First release in BFD2 format
This pack is compatible with BFD2 and BFD Eco. If you have BFD2, you can take advantage of all the library’s features, including full 24-bit resolution, up to 99 velocity layers, special presets, kits, and grooves. The pack is available for download from the FXpansion and Media Integration web stores. A special packaged version is planned for the Japan market as well.

Recorded instruments
Taiko drum series
Odaiko - nagabachi![]() |
Odaiko - yukibai![]() |
Shimedaiko 1 - futobachi![]() |
Shimedaiko 2 - hosobachi![]() |
Otsuzumi 1![]() |
Otsuzumi 2![]() |
Kotsuzumi 1![]() |
Kotsuzumi 2![]() |
Daibyoushi 1 - bamboo stick![]() |
Daibyoushi 2 - hosobachi![]() |
Okedou![]() |
Mamedaiko![]() |
Uchiwadaiko 1![]() |
Uchiwadaiko 2![]() |
Uchiwadaiko 3![]() |
Uchiwadaiko 4![]() |
Stage sound effects
Ashibyoushi![]() |
Tsukeuchi 1 - hall![]() |
Tsukeuchi 2 - studio![]() |
Kakegoe and flute sounds
Kakegoe A - 108 calls | Kakegoe B - 40 calls | Nohkan - 61 phrases | |
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Bells, gongs, and symbols
Matsumushi - low![]() |
Matsumushi - high![]() |
Atarigane - held![]() |
Atarigane - hanging![]() |
Konchiki![]() |
Fusegane![]() |
Souban![]() |
|
Chappa![]() |
Myouhachi![]() |
Metallic percussion instruments
Hontsurigane 1A![]() |
Hontsurigane 1B![]() |
Hontsurigane 2A![]() |
Hontsurigane 2B![]() |
Dora 1![]() |
Dora 2![]() |
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Kin 1![]() |
Kin 2![]() |
Kin 3![]() |
|
Ekiro![]() |
Rei![]() |
Orgol![]() |
Other percussion effects
Hyoushigi - hall![]() |
Hyoushigi - studio![]() |
Kinushou![]() |
Mokugyo 1, 2,3![]() |
Mokushou 1, 2, 3![]() |
Hariougi![]() |
Takenaruko![]() |
|
Binzasara 1![]() |
Binzasara 2 - kokiriko![]() |
Bouzasara![]() |
KABUKI & NOH PERCUSSION for BFD2.1
Requirements- Requires BFD2 (Version 2.1 or higher) or BFD Eco
- Windows machines — Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent AMD, Windows 7 or higher
- Mac OSX machines — Intel CPU, Mac OSX 10.5.8 or higher, min. 1 GB of RAM
- Internet connection (for download and authorization)
- Min. 16 GB of free hard disk space (separate drive recommended)
See the FXpansion site for details on using BFD2.1 and BFD Eco.
BFD2.1:http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=53&;;tab=148
BFD Eco:http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=103&;;tab=389
KABUKI & NOH PERCUSSION
CreditsTakinojo Mochizuki — percussion instruments, kakegoe calls, MIDI drumming
Makoto Takei — Noh flute, kakegoe calls
Kosueki Mitsumasu — inscriptions
Tomzuin H — production
[Sonica Instruments End User License Agreement]
Recommended by Michiaki Kato

Michiaki Kato's AUDIO DEMO: |
Overlooked instruments include tsukeuchi (wooden clappers that are struck on a wooden plank to produce sounds that accompany Kabuki actors’ dramatic poses) and ashibyoshi (floor-shaking foot stomps). Naturally, the library includes tsuzumi hand drums and other familiar Kabuki sounds. And because the library was made completely in Japan with the requisite attention to the finest of details, this is a definitive Japanese sound library.
All instruments were recorded at full 24-bit/96 kHz fidelity with an assortment of vintage microphones and an old Neve 5315 console. The result is a truly musical sound library owing to the producer’s meticulous research and scrupulous attention to sound quality.
Kabuki & Noh Percussion is sure to satisfy not only musicians but also sound effect producers and others that work in the realm of sound. It will likely prove hugely useful to students of Japanese music as well.
This sound library will definitely become the world standard in Japanese instruments.
Michiaki Kato
Composer, arranger, producer, and guitarist
Michiaki formed the musical unit Dido with Shizuru Ohtaka in 1989 and released the 1989 album “Pajina” on Polystar and the 1994 album “Ksana” on King Records. Today, he arranges and produces songs for other artists and composes music for TV commercials and plays. He has composed more than 2,000 songs for commercials.
Recently, he has collaborated on many musical works with a number folk instrument players and traditional Japanese instrumentalists such as Chen Min, Yilana, and Hiromitsu Agatsuma. He also works as an arranger with the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, the Nara Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Gunma Symphony Orchestra.
Michiaki’s activities span the entire gamut from sound effects to full orchestras.