鼓 — “Drum / Beat / Rouse / Muster” in Japanese

Master (高手)こ, つづみ

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“Drum / Beat / Rouse / Muster” in Japanese is 鼓, read ko, tsuzumi (こ, つづみ). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 太鼓 (drum).

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What does 鼓 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	鼓
Meaning	Drum / Beat / Rouse / Muster
Readings	こ, つづみ
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	太鼓 (drum)

How to read 鼓

鼓 is read ko (こ) or tsuzumi (つづみ) depending on the word.

Words with 鼓

太鼓

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Updated: 2026-08-28