太 鼓(たいこ)

たいこ

noun

drum, taiko

1. drum, Japanese drum, taiko

A percussion instrument consisting of a hollow body covered with a stretched membrane. In Japanese, particularly refers to traditional Japanese drums.

祭(まつ)りで太鼓(たいこ)の音(おと)が響(ひび)いていた。

The sound of drums echoed at the festival.

和(わ)太鼓(だいこ)の演奏(えんそう)を聞(き)いた。

I listened to a taiko drum performance.

和太鼓 = Japanese taiko drums

子供(こども)たちが太鼓(たいこ)を叩(たた)いて遊(あそ)んでいる。

The children are playing by beating drums.

Cultural note: 太鼓(たいこ) (taiko) is central to Japanese traditional culture. It's used in:

祭(まつ)り (festivals)
能(のう) (Noh theater)
神社(じんじゃ) (shrine ceremonies)
Modern taiko ensemble performances

Types

和(わ)太鼓(だいこ) (Japanese taiko - general term for traditional drums)
大(おお)太鼓(だいこ) (large drum)
締(し)め太鼓(だいこ) (small rope-tuned drum)

Expression: 太鼓判(たいこばん)を押(お)す = to guarantee, to vouch for (lit. 'to stamp with a big seal')

Common verb: 太鼓(たいこ)を叩(たた)く (to beat/play a drum)

general

Added 2026.1.13 20:35 · Revised 2026.10.10 15:21

04000/04049_taiko