Unknown to most, taiko is the Japanese word for drums of any origin.

In North America, the term has evolved to refer to the young art form of kumidaiko (ensemble drumming featuring the Japanese drum). This art form began in Japan in the late 1950s and came to the US in the late 1960s. SJT was founded in 1973 as only the third group to form outside of Japan. We are recognized as a pioneer in contemporary taiko and have been instrumental to the growth of the art form, helping to nurture an ecosystem that now supports more than 500 groups spread throughout North America.