What is Taiko?

The word TAIKO means “big drum” or “fat drum” in the Japanese language.

Drumming is an ancient and sacred practice in the Japanese culture.

Indeed the history of drumming in Japan is long and storied. Drums were used in ancient times to communicate between villages to announce celebrations and to signal emergencies. 

Farmers used drums to call the gods to awaken the rain spirits, to drive away pests, and to give thanks at harvest time.  Today drumming remains an integral part of folk festivals, religious ceremonies, agricultural rituals, sumo and Kabuki performances.

Group or ensemble TAIKO came into existence in Japan after World War II. Daihachi Oguchi, a drummer influenced by Western jazz, is credited with inventing the genre when he founded Osuwa Daiko in 1951. His style, known as kumi daiko, became the basis for most taiko performances.

When professional Japanese groups began touring and performing in the United States, it wasn’t long before Japanese-American taiko groups began to be formed in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose. That was in the late 1960/early 70s. Beginning with those three groups in California, the popularity of taiko has multiplied enormously and today there are an estimated 250 groups throughout North America.

Tucson Taiko Kyokai is proud to be a part of this growing family.