‘Taiko’ is the Japanese word for drum. It includes a broad range of Japanese drums. “Wadaiko” (or “kumi-daiko”) refers to the form of ensemble taiko drumming. Although now very much associated with Japan, there are many sources and historical accounts, of which the earliest date from 588 AD/CE, noting that young Japanese men traveled to Korea to study the kakko, a drum that originated in South China.
Taiko as a performance art is a relatively recent development, created by Daihachi Oguchi, a jazz drummer by trade, in the early 1950’s. Oguchi was asked to decipher an old taiko score (a traditional piece of music for the Osuwa Shinto shrine) that a relative had found. Feeling the music to be rather monotonous he rewrote it as an ensemble piece, creating the kumi-daiko movement by assembling a collection of taiko drums –traditionally played individually– and playing in 20th-century jazz style.
Taiko include a broad range of percussion instruments that are used in both Japanese folk and classical musical traditions. There are several drums that make up a taiko ensemble:
Shime-daiko
A small drum, often used in taiko groups to keep the basic rhythm and establish time, but is a versatile solo instrument as well. |
Nagado-daiko
The nagado-daiko (long-bodied taiko) is by far the most popular taiko used in the modern kumi-daiko style of playing. They are also very common in festivals and in temples and shrines (where they are often called miya-daiko). There are many styles of playing this taiko, with a wonderful selection of different stands that hold the nagado-daiko in various positions. |
Oke-daiko or Okedo
The short bodied styles of okedo which are becoming increasingly popular have a loud, flat, booming sound, and are often played with slats of bamboo which produces a sharp, slapping sound. The larger form of okedo tend to be bigger than a typical nagado-daiko, often around six feet in length and three feet in diameter. They are usually played horizontally, raised up on a high stand. |
As well as drums, several other instruments can be found in the ensemble including:
Chappa
The chappa are small cymbals with a bright tone. They are usually played as accompaniment to the drums. |
Atari-gane or chan-chiki
The atari-gane is a small metal gong that is usually played in a straight rhythm directly on the beat with a small mallet. It functions as the ‘timekeeper’ for taiko pieces. |
Japanese flute or fue
Frequently the only non-percussion instrument in a taiko ensemble is the Japanese transverse flute or fue. It is normally made from bamboo and has a clear, high voice. The fue provides the melody accompaniment to the drum rhythms. |
