Japan's ancient art of taiko drumming

This powerful 12,000-year-old artform has been used in worship, battle and throughout Japanese history.

Taiko may simply mean "drum" or "the art of Japanese drumming" in Japanese, but these wooden, barrel-shaped instruments symbolise the powerful, rhythmic and dynamic energy of Japanese percussion. They have also been a vital part of Japanese culture for millennia, as they were used to initiate religious ceremonies, set the marching pace for feudal troops and call soldiers to the battlefield since as early as 10,000 BC. To experience taiko is to witness lively shouts and choreographed movements from performers that mirror those of various Japanese martial arts.

Here, however, blind content maker Lucy Edwards learns the art of taiko and proves that its beauty can be felt and heard just as powerfully as it can be seen.

Today, taiko remains a phenomenon that captivates the senses. When Taiko drummers bang their hollow, wooden drums, they can produce a thunderous, echoing reverberation that can be heard at up to 120dB – which is on par with the noise produced by jet aeroplanes. Thus, the audience can feel the intense pulse of the beats vibrating through their bodies, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience

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Text by Nylah Lee.

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