Communicating using Instruments of Power - TAIKO - from Japan

In Japan, taiko are a symbol of agricultural fertility, and people have long believed that they could communicate with deities through their sound.

Taiko History (from 日本の太鼓入門 (Introduction to Japanese drums))

Translated by Mako Fukumoto and Yuta Kato

PURPOSE

Calling – the taiko was used in many folk events to pray to the gods.  They did this by first inviting the gods during a 祭り (*matsuri*) with the sound of the drum.  People were only allowed to play the taiko during certain times.  ならし (*narashi*)– was the designated time for practice and only local people were allowed to play.  This was necessary to protect the special power of the drum.