Taiko - Parts of A Taiko

Parts of A Taiko

• Ko - the body of the drum.
• Hara - the center of the skin.
• Fuchi - the edge of the top and bottom of the drum.
• Kawa - the skin.
• Mimi - the excess skin that wraps around the side of the taiko.
• Byō - the tacks that hold the skin on a taiko.
• Kanagu, or Kan - the ring shaped handles on larger nagadou taiko. ("Kanagu" literally means metal fixtures, or hardware).
• Nawa - the rope on a shime or okedo I

Types of wood: Japanese name - English equivalent (if any), and use in taiko, antiques, etc.

• Keyaki - Zelkova, used to make single piece taiko and shimedaiko bodies.
• Tochi - Horse Chestnut, used to make single piece taiko bodies.
• Sen - Unknown, used to make single piece taiko and shimedaiko bodies.
• Nara - Scrub Oak, used by Kawada Taiko to make their "Hi-Tech Taikos" which are constructed from staves, also used for Bachi.
• Tamo - Unknown, used by Kawada Taiko to make their "Hi-Tech Taikos" which are constructed from staves.
• Hinoki - Cypress, used to make bachi, especially for O-daiko.
• Matsu - Pine, used for bachi, especially for O-daiko.
• Kashi - Evergreen Oak, used for bachi (all sizes), and for dai (stands).
• Haku - Oak (general term).
• Hoo - Magnolia, used for bachi, all sizes.
• Buna - Beech, used for bachi, all sizes.
• Take - Bamboo, used to make fue (flutes), and for special types of bachi.
• Kaede - Maple, used for special bachi.
• Kiri - Paulownia, used for special bachi. Also used in furniture and antiques.
• Sugi - Cedar, used in furniture and antiques.
• Kaba - Birch, used in making western drums.
• Hannoki - Alder, used in furniture and antiques.