| Japanese taiko drums are perhaps some of the | | | | pace, or disseminating orders. In everyday life, |
| most dramatic percussion instruments ever | | | | both then and now, the drums are used in the |
| created. Originally used in both Japanese folk and | | | | religious music of both Shinta, Japan's native |
| classical musical traditions, taiko drumming has | | | | religion, and Buddhism, which was imported some |
| moved with the times and evolved into a modern | | | | time around the 5th century. Additionally, noh |
| art form called kumi-daiko, which refers to | | | | theatre, kabuki theatre, and gagaku, the traditional |
| ensemble taiko drumming. Exhibitions of | | | | music of the Japanese imperial court, utilize the |
| kumi-daiko can include taiko of all different shapes, | | | | sounds of taiko drums. |
| sizes, and pitches. Anywhere from one to dozens | | | | As previously mentioned, modern taiko |
| of performers use sticks called "bachi" to strike | | | | performances take the form of kumi-daiko, or |
| the instruments. | | | | ensemble drumming. Daihachi Oguchi is credited |
| There are many different types of taiko, but | | | | with forming the first modern taiko ensemble, |
| they all share one feature-heads on both sides of | | | | Osuwa Daiko, in Japan in 1951. However, there |
| the body, which are characterized by a high level | | | | have been several other influential taiko groups. |
| of tension. Such a design is most likely the result | | | | Sukeroku Daiko also emerged in the early 1950s, |
| of Japan's summer climate, which is very hot and | | | | and the group's performances were heralded for |
| humid. Drum heads with high levels of tension | | | | their speed, fluidity, power, choreography, and |
| would counteract the slacking effects of that | | | | solo performances. In 1969, Za Ondekoza was |
| humidity. Taiko drums can range greatly in size, | | | | founded by Tagayasu Den. This group would |
| but largest is the Adaiko. Such drums are made | | | | eventually evolve into Kodo, one of the world's |
| from a single piece of wood, often from trees | | | | most recognized performance ensembles and |
| that were hundreds of years old when finally | | | | host of the Earth Celebration International Music |
| felled. Indeed, some Adaiko are so large that once | | | | Festival since 1988. |
| they've been placed in a Shinta shrine or Buddhist | | | | Over the past few decades, taiko drumming has |
| temple, they are never moved again. Other types | | | | seen a significant increase in popularity in the |
| of taiko drums include the shime-daiko (which is | | | | United States. The first American taiko group, San |
| available in various sizes), uchiwa-daiko (fan drum), | | | | Francisco Taiko Dojo, was formed in 1968 by |
| hira-daiko (flat drum), and o-daiko (big drum). | | | | Seiichi Tanaka, a post-war Japanese immigrant. |
| The existence of the taiko drum can be traced | | | | Other similar groups followed and in 1990, |
| back to 6th century Japan. It will come as no | | | | students at UCLA formed the first intercollegiate |
| surprise to anyone who has attended a taiko | | | | taiko ensemble, Kyodo Taiko. This founding |
| performance that in feudal times, these | | | | marked a new and popular trend for taiko in the |
| instruments were often used for martial purposes. | | | | United States. Today, it is estimated that 36 |
| Their resounding and invigorating resonances were | | | | collegiate and 300 independent taiko groups exist |
| ideal for motivating the troops, setting a marching | | | | in America. |