taiko (japan)

songlines magazine includes from japan the music known as taiko
in it's list of 50 rhythms of the world
described by the magazine as follows

nobody really knows its true origins
but it is believed taiko has been part of japanese culture since 600ad
the thunderous drums have been used in temples
traditional theatre, warfare and japan's summer matsuri festivals
traditionally taiko, which vary from handheld tambours to the giant odaiko were solo instruments
but since the 1950's they have been played in troupes which has led to a musical innovation
the father of modern taiko was a jazz musician daihachi oguchi
who was the first to combine different types of drum and overlapping rhythms
to create the exciting modern ensemble style

i was introduced to taiko at womadelaide in 2006
by a japanese-australian group with the clever name of taikoz
they performed on the main stage as the midday opening act
it was quite an enthralling and memorable performance
not the least because of the athleticism on display
similarly the perfection in delivery of the pieces
indicated a dedication to the art over many years
as there was quite a complexity in the rhythms
hammered out on varying sizes of taiko drums
the following clip is of the most dubious quality
but it's the best example i could find of taiko
and briefly shows taikoz at work in perth
en route to womadelaide in 2006 (or after)
(43 of 50)