TAIKO means "drum" in Japanese (etymologically "great" or "wide drum"). Outside Japan, the word is often used to refer to any of the various Japanese drums and to the relatively recent art-form of ensemble TAIKO DRUMMING (sometimes called more specifically, "kumi-daiko."
TAIKO ensembles are groups that are nearly completely drum instruments, with a couple of exceptions. Each from the drums plays a very specific role to the overall aspect of the ensemble.
Drums are not the only instruments played in the ensemble. They also incorporate a wide variety of other Japanese instruments to their ensembles. Common string instruments found with many different Taiko groups would be the biwa, koto, and the shamisen. Of the woodwinds used, the bamboo flutes known as the shakuhachi and the shinobue are popular items.
TAIKO DRUMMERS have a very powerful energy and creates a dramatic effect. It is often used to open or close an event, or simply a call to dinner.
