![]() A jazz drummer, Oguchi incorporated his musical background into large ensembles of his design. ![]() Modern ensemble taiko was invented by Daihachi Oguchi in 1951. In the past players were holy men who played only at special occasions and in small groups, but in time secular men (rarely women) also played the taiko in semi-religious festivals such as the bon dance. Taiko continue to be used in the religious music of Buddhism and ShintÅ. Taiko drums during this period were used during battle to intimidate the enemy and to communicate commands. Chinese influences followed, but the instrument and its music remained uniquely Japanese. Its origins remain uncertain, but can be traced to the 7th century, when a clay figure of a drummer documented its existence. Such taiko music is played by large drum ensembles called kumi-daiko. It has become particularly popular in recent years as the central instrument of percussion ensembles whose repertory is based on a variety of folk- and festival-music of the past. Wadaiko, a Japanese drum, comes in various sizes and is used in variety of musical genres.
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