Taiko Anthropology

Ethnomusicology is the study of music and its cultural context along with the art and important meanings it has on a global scale, as well as its history. This connects to anthropology, which is the study of humans, race, cultures and development of a society.

Taiko is “a Japanese large barrel-shaped drum” that is used as a Japanese drum performance performed by a single person, or several other performers all together. The way one plays with a Taiko is the large drum sits edgewise on a stand. The performer’s stance is very widen and stand flat on their feet as they hit the drum with a fat stick. The performer wears The methods of playing the taiko have been passed down from generation to generation from the master teaching the student. Taiko is to meditate and relax the performers who have inner struggles and dilemmas and relies on reflexivity, rhythm and memorization and the performer must develop an awareness of heir body movement and create a connection with the other performers because the performance has choreographed movements which requires everyone to memorize their movements and follow in line with each other. They don’t simply hit the drum to bring out sound or music, their goal is to form a connection between the drum and themselves through the four principles; attitude,

During 1992, after samurai class had gained power, an ethnic movement of cultural movement started to appear in Japan, and other nations as time progressed.

Today, other nations outside of Asia in the 21st century, taiko has become known worldwide. Taiko has greatly changed overtime. Nowadays, some play it to maintain their health, or as a rituals, or performances worldwide and everyone if free to learn and play it. Sex, age, and race doesn’t matter so everyone is able to enjoy the