Editing Taiko (section)

===Burakumin===
{{see also|Burakumin}}
Those involved in the construction of taiko are usually considered part of the [[burakumin]], a marginalized minority class in Japanese society, particularly those working with leather or animal skins.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=36}} Prejudice against this class dates back to the [[Tokugawa period]] in terms of legal discrimination and treatment as social outcasts.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=37}} Although official discrimination ended with the Tokugawa era, the [[Burakumin#Social discrimination|burakumin have continued to face social discrimination]], such as scrutiny by employers or in marriage arrangements.<ref name=Priestly>{{cite news|last=Priestly|first=Ian|title=Breaking the silence on burakumin|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2009/01/20/issues/breaking-the-silence-on-burakumin-2/#.UnRAhhD3OwQ|access-date=2 November 2013|newspaper=[[The Japan Times]]|date=20 January 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103101606/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2009/01/20/issues/breaking-the-silence-on-burakumin-2/#.UnRAhhD3OwQ|archive-date=3 November 2013}}</ref> Drum makers have used their trade and success as a means to advocate for an end to discriminatory practices against their class.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=37}}

The {{nihongo4|Taiko Road|人権太鼓ロード|"Taiko Road of Human Rights"}}, representing the contributions of burakumin, is found in [[Naniwa-ku, Osaka|Naniwa Ward]] in [[Osaka]], home to a large proportion of burakumin.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=38}} Among other features, the road contains taiko-shaped benches representing their traditions in taiko manufacturing and leatherworking, and their influence on national culture.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=44}}<ref name="Priestly" /> The road ends at the [[Osaka Human Rights Museum]], which exhibits the history of systematic discrimination against the burakumin.<ref name=Priestly /> The road and museum were developed in part due an advocacy campaign led by the [[Buraku Liberation League]] and a taiko group of younger performers called {{nihongo4|Taiko Ikari|太鼓怒り|"taiko rage"}}.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=38}}