Taiko: The Music of Japan

Taiko: The Music of Japan

A group of Taiko drummers on stage performing 

Introduction and Background: 

Taiko drumming originated in Japan. The words Taiko translate into "fat drum" in english. Taiko drums made it to Japan as a part of religious and cultural influences from Buddhism that made its way from from Korea and China in 400-500 C.E. Because of this Taiko drums became part of civic and courtly music sense 702 C.E. Taiko drumming is done in many forms. It is done in times of war, played singly and were played in specific ceremonies. 

Daihachi Oguchi was a Japanese jazz drummer who helped transcribe Taiko music so that the pieces were able to be read and he also was able to write his own Taiko music. Oguchi helped come up with the idea of multiple Taiko drummers playing together at the same time. The style that Oguchi has created is the style of Taiko drumming that is what we are familiar with today, modern day Taiko. When there is more than one person playing Taiko it is referred to as "Kumi-Daiko" or a collection of drums. 

Taiko today is a form of entertainment for the audience but also for the performers as well. The point of playing Taiko is to promote and maintain the traditional Japanese cultural heritage. Taiko is a very physical and highly choreographed in the movements that they do in their performance. While the drummers are performing it may look like they are dancing but in reality they have very strong control and have a strong approach when it comes to Taiko drumming. It is almost similar to martial arts. In order for Taiko drummers to to have full control and connection with their drums and ensemble members through attitude, form, technique and energy.

Descriptions: 

In Taiko drumming their are multiple different instruments that are used. The most popular Taiko drum is the Nagado-Daiko. This type of drum is the most popular type of Taiko. This type of Taiko is made with a hallow slightly curved wooden drum body. On the tops and bottoms it is covered with two skin drum heads. The skin heads are fastened together by rivets. This type of drum is normally found playing in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. 

A large O-Daiko

Shime-Daiko are almost like a "snare drum" for Taiko drumming. The drums have a shallow body with tunable heads and they perform more complex rhythms than the other Taiko drums. This drum comes in a lot of different sizes but are normally quite smaller then Nagado-Daiko. They are played either on the floor or played on stands.  

Shime-Daiko

The Tsuzumi drums are a rope fastened drum and is usually on the smaller side. The drum shape is in a hour-glass shape and is usually a bit longer then other drums. The Tsuzumi drums are more associated with traditional Japanese styles of music, like in theater. 

Tsuzumi drums 

The drums are played with Bachi. Bachi are a type of sticks that are used to play the Taiko. They are made of wood and come in all different shapes and sizes. Because of the Bachi having different shapes and the drums being different shapes the Bachi produce very different sounds. 

Examples: 

The first example is Haichijo Daiko being performed by Yuta Kato and Masa Miyano. This video helps show the sounds that the drums make. This drum is low and loud at the same time. The timbre is deep, rich and blooming. The performers are able to have control over how hard they are playing the Taiko and it affects the pitch and timbre that is being played. 

My next example shows a group of people playing Taiko all together which is known as "Kumi-Daiko". The group performing is known as the UnitOne, and they are performing "Miyake-Daiko". From the video it shows drummers playing together with multiple different drums to create the music. 

Personal Response: 

Japanese Taiko drumming holds a special place in my heart. During my school years (K-12) I was in the Japanese Immersion Program. Because of this program I grew up around Taiko drumming (Picture is little me playing). We would have assemblies and there would be drumming preformed always. I would look up and just be amazed by the drumming and how we were able to learn at school. Starting in second grade we were able to take classes to learn how to play Taiko. I decided to learn and I played Taiko up until I had to leave for middle school. Taiko drumming takes so much practice, grace and control over your body to not make a mistake. On stage when everyone is in rhythm with each other and in sync it creates a beauty that is hard to look away from. When listening to Taiko drums in person it can first create a drop in your stomach because of the first loud hit on the drums. But while listening and getting used to the noise all you can do is appreciate it. 

Conclusion: 

While other cultures music may sound completely different then the music that you may be used to but it is important to not be quick to judges what other people like. When you are quick to judge you may look over a different type of beautiful music that you may end up really enjoying. Japanese traditional Taiko drumming is amazing and I would definitely suggest trying to listen or even just watch it more. 

Sources: 

"History of Taiko" https://taiko.stanford.edu/history/

"Japan's ancient art of taiko drumming" BBC 20 October 2023, https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231020-japans-ancient-art-of-taiko-drumming 

"History of Taiko" Taiko Center Co. Ltd, https://www.taiko-center.co.jp/english/history_of_taiko.html

Kaitlyn Bove "Taiko", https://kaitlinbove.com/taiko