mace, baton, scepter
笏 centers on a ceremonial staff held by officials: a mace, baton, or scepter that symbolizes authority.
笏 combines 竹 (bamboo) with 勿, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character originally referred to a bamboo tablet or staff used in court ceremonies.
The top 竹 is bamboo, and the bottom 勿 looks like a wrapped bundle. Picture a bamboo staff wrapped with cloth to make a ceremonial mace or scepter.
For コツ, imagine the sharp sound of a baton striking the floor: kotsu! The kotsu sound cues コツ while the scepter hits the ground.