Taiko (Japanese Drums)

History

Although the origin of taiko drums are uncertain, it is said that they came from China along with imperial court music during the Nara era (8C). 　

In the Edo era (17C-19C) drum craftsmen congregated to Osaka from all over Japan and Osaka became one of the prominent centers for manufacturing drums in Japan. Taiko are handmade, beginning with the cutting of wood from the zelkova tree, shaving it, painting it, and stretching the skin over it. It takes several years to complete one drum.