Description

Antique Japanese taiko Buddhist temple drum. Made of keyaki (zelkova elm) wood. Painted with mitsu domoe design, the three comma motif also used as a popular family crest. The design is painted in bold red, blue and green colors. Tightly stretched on both sides with bronze and iron hardware. Taiko (literally meaning “drum” in Japanese) first came about as a way to frighten away evil spirits and crop-threatening pests as well as to call the rain spirit to nourish the fields. Taiko drumming was also used to rejoice in a plentiful harvest. Taiko was used similarly in Buddhist temples and continues today in other festive events as well. Today, many taiko groups collect and use antique instruments as a way to produce the ancient sound as it is believed that the spirit of the tree used to make the drum is embodied in it.

Age: Meiji Period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 3 1/2″ thick x 14″ wide diameter