Here's a little information on Kumidaiko as seen in the Actiontrack production, Tinseltown Meltdown.Kumidaiko is the name used for a percussion group using traditional japanese drums. The drums, Taiko, which are used in the group vary. There are several types of Taiko. Byou-uchi daiko taiko have skins which are attached directly to the body of the drum, while Tsukushime-daiko have skins which are first attached to rings which are then laced to the body of the drum.
Byou-uchi daiko taiko are usually made from a single, hollowed out piece of wood which dictates the size. The largest Byou-uchi daiko taiko is the ōdaiko. Some ōdaiko are made from trees which are hundreds of years old and so big that they cannot be moved. Byou-uchi daiko taiko cannot be tuned.
Tsukeshime-daiko are a tuneable taiko. The skin is attached to a ring which is then attached to body of the drum, also usually made from a single piece of hollowed out wood.
While there are a large number of taiko they all have some things in common. Firstly, they are all members of the percussion family. Most taiko are struck by bachi which are straight wooden sticks used to hit the taiko. Taiko are also famous for the huge tension put on the skins. This is probably because they originate in such humid regions that the tension was used to stop the skin from sagging.
