The shoulder-drum consists of a cherry-wood main body with two heads (horse leather stretched on iron hoops) attached by means of a linen cord, which is also used to regulate the sound. During a performance, the player can often be seen to breathe upon the heads, for it is necessary to maintain a certain degree of humidity and to prevent the head from becoming over dry.
The hip-drum is a larger version of the shoulder-drum, and as its heads are dried over a charcoal fire just before the performance, and as its cord is tied very tightly, it produces a louder, harsher sound than the shoulder-drum.
The stick-drum is also used in certain plays. Its main body is of zelkova elm, and its heads consist of horsehide stretched over iron hoops and attached by means of a linen cord. It is played by being struck with two large sticks (bachi) of hinoki cypress. The drum is often used in tales in which the shite is the spirit of a non-human being, and the stick-drum is used in Act 2, serving to lead the action.