Editing Taiko (section)

==Construction==

===Process===

Taiko construction has several stages, including making and shaping of the drum body (or shell), preparing the drum skin, and tuning the skin to the drumhead. Variations in the construction process often occur in the latter two parts of this process.{{sfn|Varian|2013|p=53}} Historically, ''byō-uchi-daiko'' were crafted from [[trunk (botany)|trunks]] of the Japanese zelkova tree that were dried out over years, using techniques to prevent [[wood splitting|splitting]]. A master carpenter then carved out the rough shape of the drum body with a chisel; the texture of the wood after carving softened the tone of the drum.{{sfn|Varian|2013|p=53}}{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=35}} In contemporary times, taiko are carved out on a large [[lathe]] using wood staves{{sfn|Carlsen|2009|pp=130–131}} or logs that can be shaped to fit drum bodies of various sizes.{{sfn|Varian|2013|p=54}} Drumheads can be left to air-dry over a period of years,{{sfn|Gould|1998|p=17}} but some companies use large, smoke-filled warehouses to hasten the drying process.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=35}} After drying is complete, the inside of the drum is worked with a deep-grooved chisel and sanded.{{sfn|Gould|1998|p=17}} Lastly, handles are placed onto the drum. These are used to carry smaller drums and they serve an ornamental purpose for larger drums.{{sfn|Gould|1998|p=18}}

[[File:Taiko drum manufacturing.jpg|thumb|left|Taiko drum manufacturing display in the [[Osaka Human Rights Museum]]|alt=A display at the Osaka Human Rights Museum depicting two workers, wielding large mallets, in the process of applying appropriate tension to a taiko.]]
The [[drum skin|skins]] or heads of taiko are generally made from [[cowhide]] from [[Holstein cattle|Holstein cows]] aged about three or four years. Skins also come from [[horse]]s, and [[bull]] skin is preferred for larger drums.{{sfn|Malm|1960|pp=75–78}}{{sfn|Varian|2013|p=53}} Thinner skins are preferred for smaller taiko, and thicker skins are used for larger ones.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=36}} On some drumheads, a patch of deer skin placed in the center serves as the target for many strokes during performance.{{sfn|Malm|1960|pp=75–78}} Before fitting it to the drum body the hair is removed from the hide by soaking it in a river or stream for about a month; winter months are preferred as colder temperatures better facilitate hair removal.{{sfn|Gould|1998|p=18}} To stretch the skin over the drum properly, one process requires the body to be held on a platform with several [[hydraulic jack]]s underneath it. The edges of the cowhide are secured to an apparatus below the jacks, and the jacks stretch the skin incrementally to precisely apply tension across the drumhead.{{sfn|Carlsen|2009|p=131}} Other forms of stretching use rope or cords with wooden [[dowel]]s or an iron wheel to create appropriate tension.{{sfn|Gould|1998|p=18}}{{sfn|Cangia|2013|p=36}} Small tension adjustments can be made during this process using small pieces of bamboo that twist around the ropes.{{sfn|Gould|1998|p=18}} Particularly large drumheads are sometimes stretched by having several workers, clad in stockings, hop rhythmically atop it, forming a circle along the edge. After the skin has dried, tacks, called ''byō'', are added to the appropriate drums to secure it; ''chū-daiko'' require about 300 of them for each side.{{sfn|Gould|1998|p=19}} After the body and skin have been finished, excess hide is cut off and the drum can be stained as needed.{{sfn|Gould|1998|p=19}}

===Drum makers===
Several companies specialize in the production of taiko.  One such company that created drums exclusively for the [[Emperor of Japan]], [[Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten]] in Tokyo, has been making taiko since 1861.{{sfn|Varian|2013|p=53}} The [[Asano Taiko Corporation]] is another major taiko-producing organization, and has been producing taiko for over 400 years.{{sfn|Bender|2012|pp=34–35}}<ref name=Dretzka>{{cite news|last1=Dretzka|first1=Gary|last2=Caro|first2=Mark|title=How 'An Alan Smithee Film' Became An Alan Smithee Film|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/03/01/how-an-alan-smithee-film-became-an-alan-smithee-film/|access-date=29 November 2014|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=1 March 1998|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20141129220911/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-03-01/news/9803010298_1_cinergi-pictures-arthur-hiller-ben-myron/2|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> The family-owned business started in [[Mattō, Ishikawa]], and, aside from military equipment, made taiko for Noh theater and later expanded to creating instruments for festivals during the [[Meiji period]]. Asano currently maintains an entire complex of large buildings referred to as Asano Taiko Village,{{sfn|Bender|2012|pp=34–35}} and the company reports producing up to 8000 drums each year.<ref name=AsanoCorp>{{cite web|script-title=ja:株式会社浅野太鼓楽器店|url=http://www.asano.jp/village/profile/asanotaiko/|website=Asano.jp|publisher=Asano Taiko Corporation|access-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109033131/http://www.asano.jp/village/profile/asanotaiko/|archive-date=9 November 2013|language=ja}}</ref> As of 2012, there is approximately one major taiko production company in [[Prefectures of Japan|each prefecture of Japan]], with some regions having several companies.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=38}} Of the manufacturers in Naniwa, Taikoya Matabē is one of the most successful and is thought to have brought considerable recognition to the community and attracted many drum makers there.{{sfn|Bender|2012|p=44}} Umetsu Daiko, a company that operates in [[Hakata-ku, Fukuoka|Hakata]], has been producing taiko since 1821.{{sfn|Gould|1998|p=17}}