Nagado-daiko

The nagado-daiko (long-bodied taiko) is by far the most popular taiko used in the modern kumi-daiko style of playing. They are also very common in festivals and in temples and shrines (where they are often called miya-daiko). They have a characteristically deep, reverberant sound. These drums are often refered to by their size: ko-daiko is roughly from 1.0 shaku to 1.5 shaku; chu-daiko translates as medium drum (roughly 1.6 shaku to 2.8 shaku); and odaiko (big fat drum) range from 2.9 shaku on up to 6 shaku or more. There are many styles of playing this taiko, with a wonderful selection of different stands that hold the nagado-daiko in various positions.

 

Odaiko

Odaiko literally means "big fat drum" and can refer to any large taiko drum. However, the term is usually reserved for nagado-daiko that have a head over three feet in diameter. Odaiko are typically placed on a stand and played horizontally, often by two people at once. Typically, one player will beat out a basic rhythm while the second player solos.

Odaiko can reach huge proportions, sometimes weighing in at over three tons and spanning six feet in diameter. These Mammoth Odaiko are often built for shrines or temples, and their cost can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 

Hira-daiko

The hira-daiko tends to be a small drum, but they can reach extremely large proportions as well. The big versions are popular among many taiko groups who can buy an odaiko sized hira-daiko for much less than an equivilent nagado-daiko. Smaller hira-daiko are not used much in kumi-daiko, but have a place as an orchestral instrument, used in Hayashi music.They have a boomy, reverberant sound like the nagado-daiko, but it decays much faster due to the shallow body.