Music was an essential accompaniment to Noh theatre as it heightened the drama and theatricality of a performance. Small, portable hand drums (tsutsumi), such as this piece, were utilised by musicians, seated at the back of the stage, to direct and maintain the rhythm of a play. In Noh theatre the poetic text would be chanted with the drum beats heightening a stylised performance of dance, songs and mime. This small group of drummers would also be accompanied by a flutist creating a sound that was both refined and at times dramatic.

This drum's colourful lacquer composition, depicting phoenix and repeating patterns of flowers in various golden hues, would have appeared striking and sumptuous. Burning candles around the stage would have illuminated the golden lacquer shades on the drum making them appear bolder and brighter coordinating the piece with its refined surroundings. This drum body would have originally been lashed to horsehide skins using hemp cords, and then, when not in use disassembled and returned to its case. Popular contemporary motifs cover the case in gold hiramaki-e (low sprinkled picture) over a nashiji (pear-skin) background. By the Edo period (1615-1868) Noh theatre had transformed into a traditional ritual reserved for the entertainment of the upper elite. This drum's rich decoration may have been due to the wealth of its commissioner.