History | What is Taiko? | Taiko in N. America | Taiko Drums

What is Taiko?

Taiko (lit. “big drum”) is a sacred practice introduced to Japan from China during the Yamato period, in the fifth and sixth centuries. It was traditionally used during warfare, as a means of rallying soldiers, frightening and deceiving enemies, and issuing commands1. Later, taiko was used to communicate with the gods, to attract or ward off animals on hunts, to send messages between villages, and as a timekeeper and ritual instrument in Buddhist monasteries2.

Taiko became a popularized art form during Japan’s feudal era, when Buddhist monasteries supported troupes of actors that gave rise to the Noh theatre. Noh performances were accompanied by taiko, yielding drums that would become the standard for modern taiko. Another theatre form to enjoy increased attention during the feudal era was the kabuki theatre, which introduced several different kinds of taiko drums to accompany the dramas on stage3.

Taiko also played a major role in folk music and at festivals throughout Japan, accompanied by a wooden flute and a small hand drum called tsutsumi. It is now a mainstay during Obon season, as one of the major instruments played at bon dances, and has become a performance art in and of itself.

References
1. http://www.taikohawaii.com/taiko_history.html
2. http://www.taikocenter.com/history-oftaiko.html
3. http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/master/taiko/1-his01.html