The word Taiko literally means “Fat Drum”. Stemming from Chinese and Korean ceremonial drums, the Taiko as we see it today can be traced back to Japan as early as the fifth century as court music in Japan’s Imperial Palace. All of Pearl’s Taiko are made from staved oak which are beautifully finished in a matte natural stain and produces the rich warmth of wood without the expensive price tag of a traditional carved shell. P.J. Hirabayashi from our International Artist Group, San Jose Taiko, narrates the details of our complete Taiko line.