Editing Yakudo (section)

== History ==
----
"Taiko are traditional Japanese drums used historically to summon spirits for fortune, strength and harmony. Their powerful sounds are rumoured to shake the earth and heavens above. A mighty thunderous sound yet, much like the sound of a mother's heartbeat to her child, it can be rhythmically soothing.
The exact history of Japanese Taiko remains in speculation. Some believe they came from China or India, and were later crafted into the unique instruments they are today. According to some sources, the oldest physical evidence of Taiko in Japan is a Haniwa clay figure of a drummer that dates from the sixth or seventh century.

Taiko drums traditionally had many purposes throughout Japanese history: In religious ceremonies and meditation; for communications - for signalling, community events and setting borders; in battlefield - to signal various formations and to support those in battle; in theatre or dance - as an accompaniment and part of story telling. Today, they are still prominently used in temples, theatre and in festivals all over Japan.

The concept of the Taiko ensemble (kumi-daiko) is relatively new. It started out in the 1950's/60's, when jazz drummer, Daihachi Oguchi began using the beautiful sound of various Taiko for contemporary music compositions, which then started a Taiko boom that has become a world-wide phenomenon.

The story follows that Oguchi was asked to decipher a document believed to be an old music score for Taiko. When played in its "authentic form" he thought it would sound better using various drums and arranged it to be more "musical". With the addition of other instruments for texture and melody, Oguchi was able to increase the complexity of the music and began putting together many arrangements and compositions. He also founded Osuwa Daiko and travelled world wide to teach kumi-daiko and the Osuwa style. He has helped establish many Suwa branches of Taiko groups and inspired the formation of many other Taiko groups world-wide - each adding their own individual flair and identity." [http://www.yakudo.com/history.htm]