Daiko
/ˈdaɪ.koʊ/noun
A Japanese drum, especially a large drum used in traditional music and performance.
Did you know?In Japanese tradition, taiko drums have been associated with religious ceremonies, festivals, warfare, and communication across distances.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
大鼓
““Great drum,” a compound referring to a large drum”
Ancient Japan
Japanese
太鼓
“A drum; literally, “great drum””
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
taiko
“A drum used in court, religious, theatrical, and popular music”
20th Century
Japanese-English
daiko
“A variant English romanization or rendering of Japanese taiko”
Modern English
English
daiko
“A Japanese drum, particularly in descriptions of traditional or ensemble performance”