Taiko (太鼓) are a broad range of Japanese percussion drums. In Japanese, the term refers to any kind of drum, but outside Japan, it is used specifically to refer to any of the various Japanese drums called wadaiko (和太鼓, "Japanese drums") and to the form of ensemble taiko drumming more specifically called kumi-daiko (組太鼓, "set of drums").
Taiko have a mythological origin in Japanese folklore, but historical
records suggest that taiko were introduced to Japan through Korean and
Chinese cultural influence as early as the 6th century CE. Their
function has varied throughout history, ranging from communication,
military action, theatrical accompaniment, and religious ceremony in
Shintoism and Buddhism festivals and concert performances. Taiko has
become world wide known thanks to a group by the name Ondekoza in
1968.
Kumi-daiko performance, characterized by an ensemble playing on
different drums, was developed in 1951 through the work of Daihachi
Oguchi, and Taiko was made later popular with many other groups
copying the format of Ondekoza such as Kodo, Yamato, Tao, Taikoza,
FuUn No Kai, Sukeroku Taiko, etc. Other performance styles, such as
hachijō-daiko, have also emerged from specific communities in Japan.
Kumi-daiko performance groups are active not only in Japan, but all
over the world. Many groups accompany the drums with vocals, strings,
and woodwind instruments.
