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WHAT IS "TAIKO?"
First of all, if you are new to Taiko, you have come to the right place! Taiko means,
big drum, and originates from Japan. In ancient times in Japan, taiko were used for
many things. As an island of agriculture, Japanese farmers utilized taiko as an
accompaniment to local rituals in order to bless and protect their crops from evil
spirits and to ensure a bountiful harvest by summoning rain. Taiko was also used
for military purposes to instill courage and strength in soldiers and to instigate fear
in the opposition. In the 21st century today, we have contemporary taiko which has
evolved within the past 50 years to become a tool of expression as well as an
art-form. Much of the taiko we see today is kumi-daiko or ensemble-drumming.
First of all, if you are new to Taiko, you have come to the right place! Taiko means,
big drum, and originates from Japan. In ancient times in Japan, taiko were used for
many things. As an island of agriculture, Japanese farmers utilized taiko as an
accompaniment to local rituals in order to bless and protect their crops from evil
spirits and to ensure a bountiful harvest by summoning rain. Taiko was also used
for military purposes to instill courage and strength in soldiers and to instigate fear
in the opposition. In the 21st century today, we have contemporary taiko which has
evolved within the past 50 years to become a tool of expression as well as an
art-form. Much of the taiko we see today is kumi-daiko or ensemble-drumming.
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INSTRUMENTS OF TAIKO
Chu-daiko | O-daiko
Middle-sized drum | Large bass drum
Traditional taiko drums in Japan are made from solid tree trunks
which are then hollowed out and carved for tuning. American
taiko drum makers often use wine barrels made from oak as the
body of the drum. Cow hide or buffalo hide is stretched across
the top and bottom and tacked down to create the playing
surfaces. The larger the drum body you have, the deeper the
sound.
Middle-sized drum | Large bass drum
Traditional taiko drums in Japan are made from solid tree trunks
which are then hollowed out and carved for tuning. American
taiko drum makers often use wine barrels made from oak as the
body of the drum. Cow hide or buffalo hide is stretched across
the top and bottom and tacked down to create the playing
surfaces. The larger the drum body you have, the deeper the
sound.
Shime-daiko
Snare drum
In Japanese, the verb "to tie" is called shimeru. The heads of
this smaller snare drum are tied together by rope or
sometimes by bolts in order to tune and create a high-pitched
sound when played. Tying a shime-daiko by rope requires a
one or two person pulling system. They must be tied before
and un-tied after playing in order to maintain it's quality.
Snare drum
In Japanese, the verb "to tie" is called shimeru. The heads of
this smaller snare drum are tied together by rope or
sometimes by bolts in order to tune and create a high-pitched
sound when played. Tying a shime-daiko by rope requires a
one or two person pulling system. They must be tied before
and un-tied after playing in order to maintain it's quality.
Uchiwa-daiko
Fan-drum
The Japanese word for "fan" is uchiwa. This drum is shaped in
the form of a fan and is hand held when played. It's original
use were by temple monks who would beat on the
uchiwa-daiko to keep time during ritual chanting.
Fan-drum
The Japanese word for "fan" is uchiwa. This drum is shaped in
the form of a fan and is hand held when played. It's original
use were by temple monks who would beat on the
uchiwa-daiko to keep time during ritual chanting.
Okedo
Sling-drum
Okedo are cylindrical shaped drums and can
come in various sizes from very large to a
more mobile sizes that can be can be carried
or slung over the shoulder and played. The
heads are attached by lashed rope.
Sling-drum
Okedo are cylindrical shaped drums and can
come in various sizes from very large to a
more mobile sizes that can be can be carried
or slung over the shoulder and played. The
heads are attached by lashed rope.
Shinobue
Bamboo flute
The shinobue is used in most folk festivals and it's melody adds a beautiful
element when played with the taiko. Shinobue are made from female shino
type of bamboo that is bound and finished with lacquer to give it stability.
Bamboo flute
The shinobue is used in most folk festivals and it's melody adds a beautiful
element when played with the taiko. Shinobue are made from female shino
type of bamboo that is bound and finished with lacquer to give it stability.
Chappa
Cymbals
Chappa are small hand cymbals made of metal, most commonly
brass. The size and nature of chappa allows the player freedom of
movement and performance.
Cymbals
Chappa are small hand cymbals made of metal, most commonly
brass. The size and nature of chappa allows the player freedom of
movement and performance.
Atarigane
Bell Gong
Atarigane is a small hand held brass gong that is played with a mallet,
called a shumoku. The mallet head is made of deer antler and set on a
bamboo stick. By hitting different parts of the atarigane, a variety of
different tones can be produced. The atarigane can be struck on the inside
and outside.
Bell Gong
Atarigane is a small hand held brass gong that is played with a mallet,
called a shumoku. The mallet head is made of deer antler and set on a
bamboo stick. By hitting different parts of the atarigane, a variety of
different tones can be produced. The atarigane can be struck on the inside
and outside.
Bachi
Drum Sticks
Bachi are sticks of varying sizes that are used to play the taiko
drum. Large bachi are used for larger drums, such as an O-daiko.
Medium bachi are used for medium-sized drums, such as chu-daiko
and okedo and small bachi are used for shime-daiko.
Drum Sticks
Bachi are sticks of varying sizes that are used to play the taiko
drum. Large bachi are used for larger drums, such as an O-daiko.
Medium bachi are used for medium-sized drums, such as chu-daiko
and okedo and small bachi are used for shime-daiko.
Sasara
Rattle
Sasara are made from many small slats of wood that are strung
together to produce a snapping sound. The sasara are in the shape
of a serpent or snake and are commonly used during winter festivals
in Japan.
Rattle
Sasara are made from many small slats of wood that are strung
together to produce a snapping sound. The sasara are in the shape
of a serpent or snake and are commonly used during winter festivals
in Japan.
Hyoshigi
Clappers
Hyoshigi are made from wood and are utilized in many places in
Japan, not just for taiko. For instance, hyoshiki are used in Noh
theatre to add dynamics to action scenes, it is also used during sumo
tournaments during opening and closing ceremonies. In the
community, locals even use hyoshigi to notify people to turn off their
gas valves early evening! The kami-shibai or local candy vendor
would push his candy cart and also use hyoshigi to notify the children
of the area of his arrival.
Clappers
Hyoshigi are made from wood and are utilized in many places in
Japan, not just for taiko. For instance, hyoshiki are used in Noh
theatre to add dynamics to action scenes, it is also used during sumo
tournaments during opening and closing ceremonies. In the
community, locals even use hyoshigi to notify people to turn off their
gas valves early evening! The kami-shibai or local candy vendor
would push his candy cart and also use hyoshigi to notify the children
of the area of his arrival.
Mokugyo
Fish Gong
The mokugyo is made from wood and is in the shape of a fish.
It is known in the West as a Chinese temple block. Monks use
mokugyo, which give off a "clip-pidy-clop" sound to keep time
during their chantings.
Fish Gong
The mokugyo is made from wood and is in the shape of a fish.
It is known in the West as a Chinese temple block. Monks use
mokugyo, which give off a "clip-pidy-clop" sound to keep time
during their chantings.
Tekkan
Canon
Tekkan is a rather new taiko instrument invented by Grandmaster Daihachi
Oguchi of Osuwa Taiko. It consists of stainless steel tubes there are cut and
welded together to produce three distinct high pitched metallic tones. The
tekkan is played with thin metal bachi.
Canon
Tekkan is a rather new taiko instrument invented by Grandmaster Daihachi
Oguchi of Osuwa Taiko. It consists of stainless steel tubes there are cut and
welded together to produce three distinct high pitched metallic tones. The
tekkan is played with thin metal bachi.
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