Den Den Daiko

The den-den daiko is pellet drum that can be found in Japan. This drum has two head and is suspended on a rod, with pellets hanging on the threads that are on either sides of the musical instrument. The musical instrument sounds when it is turned on its axis from side to side making the beads to strike the head of the instrument.

This musical drum can be found in some other cultures and also including, but not restricted to Tibet, Mongolia, India, China, Taiwan and Korea. The musical instrument is usually found in the religious rituals, though it is normally sold as a children’s toy or as a noise generator at some festivals The musical instrument performed a crucial function in the movie The Karate Kid, Part II.

When twisting or rolling the rod between the palms of the hands causes the beads to swing and strike the heads of the drum.