A taiko is a Japanese drum that produces deep, resonating tones in its most basic form. There are several versions of the instrument and its terminology, as there are with many other musical instruments. A taiko is commonly referred to as a fat or big drum, wide or broad drum, or great drum by both laypeople and musicians. In modern musical nomenclature, any of these terms is correct etymologically. Taiko also refers to the art of drumming as a component of Japanese musical styles in which drumming is prominent.
Traditional drums have taut drum heads on both ends, which are suspended over a hollowed-out wooden cavity, which is usually carved from a single log. Drum makers stretch the heads as tight as possible to create high tension, which results in a higher pitch than the instrument’s body size. Drummers typically use three wooden sticks known as bachi to achieve the deep resonance associated with a taiko. The kotsuzumi and ootsuzumi drums, which produce sound when struck by hand, are two exceptions to this rule.
Although these large drums can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes, there are two main construction methods. To make a byou-uchi daiko drum, artisans fine-tune the instrument until it produces the desired tone, then permanently nail the drum heads in place. Because the drum cannot be tuned after the final nail has been placed, this method of construction necessitates a master’s touch. Shime-daiko, on the other hand, employs rope-tensioned bolts or turnbuckles to achieve the perfect level of drum head tautness. While shime-daiko construction is still considered a difficult and creative process, it does allow for some retuning after the drum is finished.
Many historians believe that Asian-style drums date back to at least 500 BC, when they were brought to Japan by Chinese explorers. Taiko drummers appeared on battlefields in feudal Japan to intimidate enemies, motivate troops, and set a fast marching pace. Aside from the military, Japan’s royalty grew to appreciate a wide range of drum music. The instruments became part of the gagaku court music style, which could be heard in castles and temples throughout early Japan. Although traditional drum forms and playing styles have endured, new adaptations of taiko music have emerged in recent years.
A portion of the instrument’s allure stems from its early association with Japanese religions, in addition to the revered art of building and playing wide drums. During special ceremonies, both Buddhist and Shinto holy men use taiko drums, and many followers believe that the instruments are inhabited by a godly presence. As a result, even in modern times, taiko is usually the only type of musical instrument permitted inside Japanese shrines and temples.