One of our local drumming groups performing in downtown Shizuoka city, Japan.  This particular group includes many school age kids.  Drums are called taiko in Japan where drumming has a long tradition within the spheres of entertainment, religion and warfare.  The Japanese have produced several distinct drum styles of various sizes, most of which are played with a stick (though hand drums are also used).  Traditional drummers may perform alone or in the company of wind and string musicians.  Ensemble style taiko performances called kumi-daiko (as seen in this video) are a relatively recent development in the world of Japanese drumming and a style which has gained the attention of many outside Japan.  Kumi-daiko performances are typically very impressive with numerous drummers beating out distinct rhythms on various sized taiko.  The drummers can produce deep, resonant tones which carry for long distances and produce an unforgettable and almost visceral experience in the hearer.  Taiko drum heads are made of cowhide dried and tightly stretched before being attached to the drum by iron nails (byou-uchi daiko style) or sewn onto iron rings (tsukushime-daiko style).  Drum heads may be used for several years before needing to be re-stretched, though the cowhide is normally discarded after one or two stretches.  Most Japanese drums are formed from the limb or even the trunk of the Japanese Elm (keyaki) tree while other types of wood are also sometimes used.  Especially large drums may have been made from ancient trees (up to 1200 years old!) which are thought to imbibe the drum with a spiritual significance and presence.

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