The art of the Taiko drum is both a music recreation and, to some, a martial art. The origin of Taiko drumming is unknown but today is still practiced by many across the world. Originating in Japan, taiko drumming is a percussion musical artform that is used in all aspects of Japanese culture.Taiko is an umbrella term, encompassing all sizes and styles of Japanese drums: some as small as a dinner plate and others the size of a small car. Taiko is seen within many other music and dance forms as well, from the Noh theatre, to the Minyo folk dancing of Japanese festivals. One example is the use of Taiko in Japanese dancing to keep dancers to the rhythm of a Minyo song. The dancers in a Japanese festival will form a circle around the taiko drum, and dance in unison to the beat of the drum, along with traditional musical instruments and vocals. Taiko has been practiced in Southern Alberta for many decades and has been a part of the Buddhist temples festivals since their founding.
