Okedo taiko

 

Okedo taiko are barrel drums, constructed of staves of wood united by rings of woven bamboo. The skins are thinner than those of the larger Nagado taiko, and tightened to the body using ropes - allowing performers to tune the drums prior to performance. 

 

Okedo taiko take their origins in the ancient court drums whose lineage include such cousins as the ko-tsuzumi and o-tsuzumi. 

 

The bodies are constructed of wooden staves rather than large single bodied plugs of dense wood - as such they are light weight and portable, which has led to their popular use as festival drums in parades and dances where they can accompany festival processions and dancers parading down the streets.