Wonderful album that gives a taste of the many local taiko styles, as well as some performed in kabuki. Groups include Osura Daiko Hozonkai, Ogura Gion Taiko Hozonkai, Minami Nikko Schachu, Oyama Bayashi Hozonkai, Sahara Hayashi Hozonaki and Kanda Hayashi Hozonkai.

One of the best known forms of Japanese music around the world is taiko drumming, as played by Kodo, Ondekoza and various drumming troupes based in Japan and cities in North America and Europe. This excellent compilation features taiko drumming styles from local festivals some with hayashi - background chanting- from northern Japan (Hokkaido) to eastern Japan as far as Yamanashi prefecture west of Tokyo.


Price:   £21.99

Volume 2 of the taiko drumming compilation from various local festivals features music and chanting from Tokyo all the way down to the spectacular eisa drumming style from Okinawa. Fascinating.

Like Kodo, Rokuninkai are a dynamic taiko group based on an island. They are comprised of 11 players and perform hachijo-daiko, a style of taiko that originated on Hachijojima, an island situated south of Tokyo. 13 pulsating tracks.


Price:   £23.99

Wadaiko (drummers) group who date back about 80 years, from Fukuoka, Kyushu. The oldest such group in Japan on what is a very traditional album.