Page "Music of Japan" Paragraph 14

The taiko is a Japanese drum that comes in various sizes and is used to play a variety of musical genres.

It has become particularly popular in recent years as the central instrument of percussion ensembles whose repertory is based on a variety of folk and festival music of the past.

Such taiko music is played by large drum ensembles called kumi-daiko.

Its origins are uncertain, but can be stretched out as far back as the 7th centuries, when a clay figure of a drummer indicates its existence.

China influences followed, but the instrument and its music remained uniquely Japanese.

Taiko drums during this period were used during battle to intimidate the enemy and to communicate commands.

Taiko continue to be used in the religious music of Buddhism and Shintō.

In the past players were holy men, who played only at special occasions and in small groups, but in time secular men ( rarely women ) also played the taiko in semi-religious festivals such as the bon dance.