About Us
Beni Daiko
紅太鼓
We are the Madison Japanese Taiko Group "Beni Daiko," Madison's premiere mainland taiko drumming group. Founded in November 2012, our group now includes members from a variety of backgrounds. Beni means "deep red" in Japanese, representing Madison, and taiko (or daiko) means "drum."
Our mission is to teach, preserve, and perform the ancient art of Taiko drumming, a form of traditional Japanese musical expression that combines mental discipline and physical demand. Through our music, we aim to open a window into Japanese culture and strengthen our bonds as a community.
What is taiko?
Taiko is the Japanese word for "drum," but there is a lot more to taiko than simply drumming! Depending on how it's played, a taiko can be as powerful as rolling thunder or as comforting as a mother's heartbeat. In Japan, this style of drum is known as wadaiko. There are many meanings to wa—harmony, peace, and Japan itself—which are all embodied by the art of wadaiko.
Drums have existed in Japan for hundreds of years and were used in various settings, from religious ceremonies to festivals to battle. The ensemble style of drumming known as kumi-daiko developed in about the 1960s. Taiko has since evolved into a performance art that combines pulse-pounding rhythms with dynamic choreography. It has a long history in North America as well, with many Japanese-American communities founding taiko groups as a form of community-building.
Our members play a number of different drums. Most common is the chu-daiko, a medium barrel-shaped drum with a full sound. The shime-daiko is a smaller drum with a higher tone that carries easily, helping the other players keep the tempo. We also play a variety of other instruments, such as the shinobue bamboo flute, chappa cymbals, and the bell-like atarigane. At Beni Daiko, we also like to collaborate with Western music, incorporating the sounds of xylophones, cellos, fiddles, and more.