Dallas Kiyari Daiko

Taiko is a style traditional Japanese drumming. In ancient Japan, Taiko was a symbol of the rural community. It is said that the village limits were not solely determined geographically but also by the farthest distance at which the Taiko Drumming could be heard. Originally, Taiko was played as a ceremonial instrument in the Shinto Shrines and provided background rhythms for spring and fall festivals as well as traditional dance performances. In recent years, however, Taiko’s unique beats and rhythms have brought music to performing stages all over the world, as an independent style of music, no longer associated with a particular occasion. What seems to set Taiko apart from other styles of drumming is that Taiko is more visual. Taiko requires great strength and stamina.

Taiko literally means “drums,” just as brass means “horns.” each horn in a brass ensemble has a different name (i.e. Coronet, Saxophone, French horn) as it is with Taiko. Each drum, based on its specific features, has a name. From the largest drum, called O-Daiko, which can weigh over six-hundred and fifty pounds, to the smallest drum, called Shime-Daiko, all Taiko drums are played with drumsticks (bachi) of varying size. The largest drumsticks resemble baseballs bats and require great strength. The most valuable and most prized Taiko drums are carved from a single tree. Even the smallest drums are much heavier than they appear. Dallas Kiyari Daiko has several of these very special Taiko in its collection.

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