Taiko drumming has been part of Japanese culture for centuries, played in religious festivals and ceremonies. It was also used in warfare to intimidate enemies. The Kodo troupe popularized taiko globally in the last 40 years through regular international tours. Based in Sado Island, Japan, Kodo performances feature traditional drums and other instruments along with dance and vocal performances lasting around two hours. The largest taiko drum, the odaiko, can weigh over 4 tons and be over 9 feet in diameter.

1. Mr.JMGian

2. • Taiko literally means 'fat drum' in Japanese.
• Taiko drumming has been part of Japanese
culture for many centuries.
• Its roots lie in the countless temples and
shrines scattered all over Japan where they
are played in religious festivals and
ceremonies.
• It is said that the furthest point at which the
village Taiko could be heard marked the
edge of the village.

4. • Taiko also found a home in warfare, making
sounds big enough to scare the enemy.
• But it is only in the last forty years that
Taiko has become a performance art in
itself. Groups like Ondekoza and Kodo
regularly bring Taiko to a global audience

5. A good example of a professional taiko
drumming troupe is the Kodo. They are
based in Sado Island, Japan, and they had a
big role in popularizing taiko drumming,
both in Japan and abroad. They regularly
tour Japan, Europe, and the United States.

6. Their name, "Kodo" conveys two meanings:
1. "heartbeat" the primal source of all
rhythm and, read in a different way,
2. "children” of the drum," a reflection of
Kodo's desire to play their drums simply,
with the heart of a child.

7. The main focus of the performance:
• Uchite is the Taiko drummer
• Different drums
• other traditional Japanese musical
instruments such as fue and shamisen
make an appearance on stage

8. • traditional dance and vocal performance
are part of the performance
• include pieces based on the traditional
rhythms of regional Japan, pieces
composed for Kodo by contemporary
songwriters, and pieces written by Kodo
members themselves
• The Kodo's performances normally last for
about one hour and forty minutes.

10. • The ōdaiko is the largest drum in all of
taiko if not the entire world.
• The largest ōdaiko are too big to move and
permanently reside inside a temple or
shrine.
• It is made from a 4 ton block of wood
weighing over 9 feet in diameter! It took 12
people over a year to make it.
• Made from a single piece of wood, some
ōdaiko come from trees that are hundreds
of years old.

11. History:
• Drums were used in ancient times to
signify the boundaries of a village.
• Peasant events such as the rice harvests or
dance festivals were celebrated with
drums.
• Drums were used to pray for rain and other
religious ceremonies.
• Drums lead warriors into battles in order to
scare off the enemy.

12. • happi coats over black with white calligraphy
• - a baggy-sleeved short cotton jacket, tied
with a sash (obi) around the waist. It is
usually a plain color, typically blue or black,
with a symbol printed on the lapels and on
the back
• Hachimaki, white headband
• Uchite ,Taiko drummer, can
• wear loose fitting happi (short coat), with an
obi
• Tabi, shoes with big toe separated.

15. In addition:
• Odaiko - Big Drum
• Jozuke - Medium Drum
• Shime - Small Drum