Taiko
/ˈtaɪ.koʊ/noun
A Japanese drum, especially one used in traditional ensembles and performances.
Did you know?In Japan, taiko drums have been used in religious ceremonies, festivals, theater, warfare, and imperial court music, giving their booming sound both sacred and practical power.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese
Old Chinese
大鼓
“A compound meaning “great drum”; the characters later supplied the written basis for Japanese taiko.”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
大鼓
“Pronounced approximately dà-kú in reconstructed readings; the compound continued to mean “large” or “great drum.””
Ancient Japan
Japanese
太鼓
“The Sino-Japanese reading taiko, written with characters meaning “great” and “drum.””
8th Century
Japanese
太鼓
“Appears in Japan’s early literary and courtly cultural tradition as a term for drums used in music and ceremony.”
19th Century
English
taiko
“Begins appearing in English descriptions of Japanese music and instruments.”
Modern English
English
taiko
“A Japanese drum or the ensemble-based style of powerful Japanese drumming.”