Alma Percussion Workshop - Taiko

1 - Odaiko large drum
2 - Chudaiko medium drum, nagado daiko (long-body drum)
3 - Okedo daiko barrel/stave body, katsugi (taiko for carrying and playing)
4 - Hirado daiko flat body
5 - Shime daiko rope/bolt tensioned

Bachi drumsticks
Atarigane (kane) handheld gong
Chappa hand cymbals
Shinobue (fue) bamboo flute


Taiko in Traditional Contexts

Sanja Matsuri in Tokyo (Edo Bayashi)

Noh Theater

Gagaku (court music)

Chichibu Yomatsuri (Yatai Bayashi)

Shishimai (traditional Japanese lion dance)

Bon Odori (Buddhist ceremony and dance to honor ancestors)

Taiko used in religions ceremony - Buddhist Temple in Kyoto


Kumidaiko - modern ensemble drumming

Osuwa Daiko - Daihachi Oguchi founded group in 1951, credited for being the first kumidaiko ensemble

Oedo Sukeroku Daiko - pioneering taiko group in Tokyo, very influential in North America for introducing naname (diagonal) style

Kodo - began on Sado Island as Ondekoza, likely most famous taiko group with prolific international touring

Seiichi Tanaka of San Francisco Taiko Dojo - credited for bringing kumidaiko to US

Kenny Endo - pioneering taiko artist based in Honolulu, first foreigner to receive natori (stage name) in Kabuki Bayashi (music)

On Ensemble - pushing the boundaries of taiko with new compositions and applications