OSUWA TAIKO has been handed down through generations as the sacred Shinto music and dancing of OKAGURA related to the Great Shrine of Ichinomiya Suwa in the old province of Shinano (Nagano Prefecture). This Great Shrine has been revered since ancient times as the seat of the deity of the agriculture and military prowess. It is said that at the famous Battle of Kawanakajima in September 1562, well-known war lord, Shingen Takeda, assembled a group of 21 OSUWA TAIKO players to perform during the entire battle to boost the morale of the soldiers.
The distinguishing feature of the set up of OSUWA TAIKO can be compared to a small orchestra. It consists of one large and one medium MIYATAIKO drums with flutes, conch horns and more than ten different types of percussion instruments.
