Taiko
Taiko are Japanese drums that come in various sizes. They are the inspiration of the video game series Taiko no Tatsujin.
In Japanese, the word taiko (太鼓) refers to any drum, but in other languages more commonly refers to wadaiko instruments (i.e. Japanese drums) and the kumidaiko (ensemble) style of drumming. Kumidaiko is by far the most popularized style of taiko playing, and is generally what taiko is known as internationally.
Types of drums
There are several different instruments that are used in kumidaiko, some much rarer than others.
Nagado taiko
The most recognizable taiko drum is the nagado taiko, a drum shaped like a barrel. In certain taiko groups, nagado taiko were actually constructed from repurposed barrels. Regardless of the origin of the body, all nagado taiko have animal hide stretched over them with high tension to form the drumheads. Once the hide dries, nails are hammered around the rim of the head to fasten it into place.
Shimedaiko
Another common drum seen in kumidaiko is the shimedaiko. This drum is much smaller than nagado taiko, having a short height but wide head. The drumskin is stretched over the frame and bound tightly with rope cords to produce a high pitch when played, which contrasts against the deeper bass pitch of the nagado taiko.
Typically, an ensemble performance will consist of multiple nagado taiko and at least one shimedaiko. Various other percussive instruments may be included, such as the large odaiko, a drum which stands vertically, and has a face roughly twice the size of a nagado taiko, or chappa, small hand-sized pairs of cymbals that are struck against one another. Additionally, there may be melodic instruments included, such as the shinobue flute.