Japan’s historic taiko drumming tradition has been deeply woven into the country’s culture since ancient times. Taiko drums—also known as “wadaiko”—are an integral part of traditional Japanese performing arts and rituals, and are regularly played at local events and festivals. As a Japanese company, Roland has always had great respect for taiko culture, maintaining a strong desire to contribute to the tradition by helping bring the dedication and artistry of traditional Japanese music to a wider audience.
Born and made in Japan, the groundbreaking TAIKO-1 electronic percussion instrument infuses the classic taiko experience with the many benefits of modern music technology, making playing Japanese percussion more fun and accessible than ever before. Backed by decades of development knowledge behind leading products like V-Drums and the ELCajon EC-10, TAIKO-1 brings the power and convenience of Roland electronic percussion to taiko enthusiasts everywhere.
Over a million people in Japan play the taiko, and the instrument’s popularity is spreading around the globe. However, the giant sound, large physical size, and regular maintenance needs of taiko drums make them impossible for many people to play and learn. Professional taiko performers face challenges as well, as the drums are hard to carry and costly to ship. And getting consistently good sound in different venues is also difficult.
In 2017, Roland partnered with Kodo, Japan’s world-renowned taiko performing arts group, with a vision to free taiko players from these obstacles and expand the creative possibilities of taiko music. Completed to coincide with the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, we are proud to introduce TAIKO-1 and share our passion for Japanese drums with the world.