WHAT IS TAIKO?
What is Taiko?
In Japanese, “taiko” literally means “drum”. Taiko has been a part of the Japanese culture for centuries, originally used in Shinto, Buddhist and military traditions, and now ubiquitously played in almost every festival and ceremony. “Taiko” is often used to refer to the relatively modern Japanese art form of ensemble drumming (kumi-daiko), which is a heart-pounding, dynamic style. Influenced by jazz, Kumi-Daiko often combines rhythm, music, dance and martial arts.
History of Taiko
In ancient Japan, Taiko was regarded as sacred. By imitating the sound of thunder, the sound of the drum was believed to be able to drive away evil spirits and pests harmful to crops, and summon the rains for a bountiful crop.
It wasn’t until 1951 that Daihachi Oguchi, the father of modern Taiko, reinvented Taiko from its primitive folk art roots. Oguchi, a jazz drummer, wondered why taiko were never played together. He broke with tradition by forming a taiko drum ensemble, or Kumi-Daiko, in which each player beats a different taiko. His invention changed Taiko music forever. Today, Kumi-Daiko is a powerful synthesis of rhythm, harmony, and body movement.
Taiko was brought to the United States by Japanese immigrants in the early 20th century, to preserve culture; maintain their identity and cooperative spirit as Japanese.
Born in Tokyo, Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka was a student of the legendary Daihachi Oguchi. Surprised to learn that there was no drumming at the San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival, Tanaka introduced Taiko to the US in 1968 with a debut performance and shortly after, founded the acclaimed San Francisco Taiko Dojo. Tanaka-Sensei is known as the Grandfather of Taiko in North America, inspiring the spread across the entire region. To Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka, Taiko can be expressed in one word – “Heartbeat” “We listen to it before we are born. It is instinctive.”
Taiko has now spread across the globe, and captivated audiences. The most famous, and possible most rigorous group, is Kodo. In 1969 Tagayasu Den collected a group of devoted young people who would completely dedicate taiko drumming as a way of life. Living on the Island of Sado, Kodo participates in rigorous training, including daily marathon running, and a communal lifestyle. Kodo’s powerful taiko performances have amazed the world with international acclaim and is credited with bringing taiko to audiences worldwide.
Taiko’s journey to Portland
Taiko communities have been established with the goal of inspiring audiences, building communities, and explaining the heritage and culture of Japan to Americans in Portland.
Portland Taiko
Portland Taiko blends the tradition of Japanese taiko drumming with a sense of Asian American identity, creativity, and empowerment. Portland Taiko was founded in 1994 by Ann Ishimaru, Zachary Semke, and Japanese American community activists; it started with one homemade taiko and practice drums made from car tires.
Portland Taiko presented their first full concert in 1997, with the support of the community; then became a non-profit and toured North American in the early 2000s
en Taiko
en Taiko was founded in 2007 in order to foster a community where participants from different ethnic groups work together to create music as well as exchange cultural traditions with each other. en Taiko aspires to create an opportunity for strengthening and expanding the community.
The en Taiko performance group is a youthful, high-energy experience that fosters community. The group performs at cultural events and music festivals throughout the city of Portland, carrying on a centuries’ old musical tradition from feudal Japan.
In April 2012, en Taiko became a non-profit organization.
TAIKO DRUMS
Taiko drums are made of stretch cowhide on a hollowed-out wooden body. There are many kinds of taiko drums, but they are roughly divided into two types:
Byo Uchi Daiko
A type of drum made of a single wooden body with a hollow inner core. This type of drum is rare because to create one, the wood needs to be well-aged and have a large diameter.
Nagado Daiko
Hirado Daiko
Odaiko
Ohira Daiko
Shime Daiko
This type of drum is made up of many small pieces of wood assembled together, like a wine barrel. This makes them much easier and cheaper to make.
Okedo Daiko
Tsuke Shime Daiko
Ojime Daiko
Shime Daiko
