Taiko Drums – Japanese Percussions

Taiko Drums exist and have been used in Japan for over 2,000 years. Some experts believe that it came to Japan in the 5th century under the influence of Buddhism from China.

As a percussion, it is the most primitive instrument and it is believed that it was used as a means of communication or in religious rituals. In feudal Japan it was frequently used to motivate the troops, to communicate orders, give warnings or mark the march time.

Taiko drums were also used in Imperial Court music called Gagaku which was played at castles and shrines throughout Japan, in classical Noh theater, and in the very famous Kabuki theater. Currently, Taiko drums are frequently used in Festivals.

There are two methods of building Taiko:

Byō-uchi-daiko (鋲撃ち太鼓) where the skin or material to be struck is nailed directly to the body, which in turn is a resonance box made from a single piece of keyaki wood that has the perfect density for this task. This type of drum cannot be altered its tuning or intonation, which is limited by the size of the tree from which the body of the taiko comes.

Shime-daiko (締め太鼓) that has metal rings tied to the skin, and at the same time intertwined with each other surrounding the entire body of the drum. These drums are made in a wide variety of styles and it is possible to change their tuning.

In a taiko ensemble, we can usually find the Odaiko (大太鼓), the largest taiko drum. The Odaiko is usually so large that it does not move from place, it resides permanently within the temples or sanctuaries. Within ensembles, the largest drum usually bears this name, with drums ranging from 300 millimeters in diameter to 3.7 meters in diameter. Really great! ^^

The most frequently used taiko is the Chudaiko or N agadodaiko (長胴太鼓). They are versatile, they can be played vertically by one person, or horizontally to be played by two people at the same time.

Okedodaiko are not made from a single piece of wood. Usually there are many straps connected together, with several layers of skins tied between them to allow changes in tuning.

And the smallest taiko are the Shimedaiko, and they are essential to keep the tempo. This drum, with its higher tone and faster rhythm, can create a good balance with the slow rhythm and low tone of the odaiko and chudaiko.

The sound of a live taiko ensemble, with so many drums resounding at the same time in different tones and rhythmic variety, while admiring the orchestrated movements of the performers, is a wonderful experience!

We can find taiko together with ensembles with instruments such as the shamisen, the biwa or the shakuhachi, to name a few.

The teaching method is closer to the oral tradition and imitation of movements, since it requires certain places of hit, preparation and attack movements, which are very complicated to indicate in a score. There are methods that can help us take the first steps, such as the one shown in the following image. Are you ready to try to follow it?

Here are some videos of Taiko presentations. If you have the opportunity to attend a live taiko performance, you can’t miss it! The live experience is incomparable with a video, the vibration of live taiko moves us to the depths of our spirit!