Taiko Drum History

Taiko and our interpretation of it has changed over the course of time. To many people today, taiko refers to a performing group who play the Japanese traditional taiko drums made from wine barrels. However, the word taiko actually means"big drum" and refers to the instrument itself, which come in many sizes, varieties and sounds. The history of the taiko drum is closely intertwined with events in Japan's history and became a unique part of Japanese culture.

Taiko's origins

Like many aspects of Japanese culture, some think that the first taiko drums may have come from China or Korea during the period of great influences. During this time Chinese characters called Kanji came from China to Japan, as well as Buddhism. The influence would have had to have been very early on in Japan's history as there is evidence of drums being used in Japan during the Kofun period, around the sixth century A.D. A Haniwa, or terra-cotta burial figure was found of a man playing a drum (Ochi). There is no undisputable evidence that taiko originated in another land, however, one can note that today's Japanese taiko drums bear their own distinct style.

First uses

Around the 1500s, records show that the booming of the taiko drums were first used as a war tactic. Beating on the taiko was the only way to make one's orders heard across the land. With the Buddhist influence, the Japanese court society became fond of the drum and the gagaku court music it produced. Eventually, the drum became more and more of a sacred symbol until only men of God were allowed to play it. Taiko were found in both shrines and temples, indicating that the difference in the Japanese religions of Shinto and Buddhism did not interfere with the taiko's ethereal status.

Use in everyday life

At one time in Japan, taiko drums were used for more practical everyday reasons. They were used for strategically planning where a town would be located. In order for small towns to be able to communicate, they needed to be within reasonable distances from each other. Thus, they would build the new town only as far as they could hear the taiko from their neighboring town. Taiko drums were also used as an early weather warning system. Taiko's booming and echoing sound would be used to warn villagers of an approaching storm so that they could immediately find a safe area.

Taiko in celebration

For centuries, taiko have been used to accompany dance and played at festivals, although differently than the way they are used at festivals today. Taiko drums are played at such ancient festivals as the Tanabata festival (Star Festival) every year on July 7, as well as Obon, in which the dead are revered from August 13 to 16, and different seasonal festivals. In fact, most traditional taiko songs are originated in a different "matsuri" or festival, or were played specifically for those festivals such as Matsuribayashi and Yatabayashi.

The origins of taiko bands

Until more recently, taiko drums were not really played as an ensemble. However, after the occupation of Japan in the 1950s, Daihachi Oguchi decided to make this happen. He put together taiko drums of different sizes and sounds to create an orchestra of taiko. He used this kumi-daiko style to entertain at events, bringing about a revolution in the history of taiko as a form of entertainment all on its own, and created a taiko movement in modern Japan. The occupation of Japan had many lasting effects. Japan's culture, food, and style became more Westernized. This motivated some Japanese to protect aspects of their culture, which is what the government did in the 1970's by funding taiko groups. As taiko groups gained resources, they gained members, opportunities, and popularity, skyrocketing the number of groups in Japan. Eventually certain groundbreaking groups such as Kodo, who live a lifestyle of 24 hour a day taiko training, brought taiko to audiences worldwide. Their influence inspired taiko groups to emerge in other countries such as the United States where taiko continues to grow in popularity.

References

• Ochi, Megumi. What The Haniwa Have to Say About Taiko's Roots: The History of Taiko. Taken from An Overview of Taiko in Japan," at the 1997 Taiko Conference.
• Taiko Resource: Overview and History

Resources

• Taiko Dictionary