The taiko is a traditional Japanese drum
fashioned of wood and hide leather, played with short,
thick wooden sticks, which create a bold, powerful sound.
The word taiko actually can refer to any kind of drum in
Japanese, but outside Japan has come to mean any of the
various drums native to Japan. Taiko construction in Japan
has been traced back to ancient times, and was used not
only in classical Japanese music, but also to motivate
armies, communicate orders, and set the time of marches.
Noh theatre and other forms of drama might use taiko to
punctuate scenes with dramatic tension. Japanese Taiko
are usually crafted of wood, with hide from cows, horses,
or deer stretched tightly over each end and secured with
tacks. The wood of the drum body is often stained a deep
reddish-brown color, and the outside is polished to a
smooth shine. Large wooden sticks called bachi are used
to strike the drum head.
Learning to perform Japanese taiko involves a method of
posture and movement similar to a martial art, known as
kata. Taiko drummers rigorously train to position their
bodies, learning to move in a precise and lively manner to
deliver a bold and well-timed strike.
Please see below for tours that
include Taiko Lesson
:
