Taiko drums are often at Japanese festivals. They are traditional Japanese drum that used to be carved out of a single piece of wood. The larger the taiko drum, the more expensive it was, as it had been made from a larger and older tree.
Taiko drums have been used for over 2000 years in religious ceremonies and when attacking an enemy; they served to motivate the men, keep a marching beat and signal attack- similar to the drums in western cultures.
Today they are a popular hobby as not only are they a source of musical entertainment, but an activity that keeps you fit due to the physical nature of the playing.
Wadaiko soyo high Odawara.MOV
Taiko is a popular school club activity for many students in Japan. Here are some videos from Soyo High school in our sister city of Odawara. They were national winners in Japan.