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drum; to beat; encourage, muster; “drum” radical
Kanji 1234

Thank you for visiting this Character Home Page. Below you'll find a synopsis of the essay. If you wish to read the full text, the PDF of the essay is available for purchase to the right.

Synopsis

Learn about a wide range of Japanese drums, including the small, ropy type played on the shoulder. See what "taiko" means in Japan versus abroad, and learn how ensemble drumming was created quite recently. Also discover traditional drumming contexts, from the battlefield to the shrine to the theater. Find out which "drums" you can consume and where drums lie in the human body!

Revision history:

May 22, 2021:

  • p. 2: Updated the Henshall etymology.
  • p. 4: Added the second sidebar, “Ways to Beat a Drum.”
  • p. 14: Edited the information about Shohei Takatani and his taiko training.
  • p. 18: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

June 19, 2015: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 1234 on 鼓, titled "Drumroll, Please"
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JOYO ON-YOMI
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