The Tsuzureko Odaiko (Big Drums) festival is the festival of the Tsuzureko shrine in the village of Tsuzureko, Takanosu town in Akita Prefecture.

The "Big Drum of Tsuzureko" festival, which boasts the world’s largest drum (made of one skin), is thought to have begun about 700 years ago in the second year of the Kamakura Period (1262). The drum was first played for the gods to ask for good rain. The village of Tsuzureko originated as a farm village, but water for irrigation was always scarce, and therefore the tradition came about. Because of the lack of water, the villagers prayed to the god above the clouds for rainfall by beating on large drums, imitating thunderclaps — and at the same time prayed for the gods to rid the rice crop of insects after the planting season and for a bountiful crop. In those days, events featuring drums were common in most farm villages in Japan.

As a Shinto ritual in the heat of summer, the drum beats also contained prayers for ridding the village of evil spirits, sin and disease.

In the process of time, the Tsuzureko village was divided into two sections. The original village was called Ue-machi (upper village) and the separated village Shita-machi (lower village). The praying to the gods for rainfall has been done separately since then by the people of Ue-machi and Shita-machi. They believed those who prayed first to the god would get a good harvest. So the divided villages competed for the festival time of praying to the god first.

The competition between the two villages became so fierce and in the early Showa (period) about 80 years ago, serious fights erupted between the two sections of the village during the festival resulting in injuries. They decided to pray to the god in alternate years.

The rivalry did not end and instead they began competing by building a bigger taiko drum. They thought the village which made a bigger drum would be superior to the other. Since then, the villages have been building bigger drums and the result has produced the world’s biggest drum. It measures 3.8 meters (12.6 feet) in diameter and weighs 3.5 tons. It was built by Ue-machi in 1996.

If you go:

Odaiko no Yakata (The Big Drum Museum): The museum was opened in 1989. The “Big Drum of Tsuzureko” and a collection of drums from all over the world — 147 drums from 40 countries — are displayed in the museum. You can watch the Tsuzureko festival in the museum’s theater, stroll among the various displays or even play some of the drums. The large drums are showcased in the main hall.

Takanosu is located near the Odate-Noshiro Airport. Its central location, and its proximity to the Towada Hachimantai National Park, Lake Tazawa, and the Oga Penisula, have made the drum museum a major tourist attraction in Akita Prefecture.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (all season)

Admission: 410 yen (adults), 300 yen (13-18 years), 200 yen (6-12 years)

Location: 62-1 Oozutsumi Michishita, Tsuzureko, Takanosu-machi, Akita Prefecture; about 5 km from JR Takanosu Station; 0186-63-0111

By rail: From Tokyo, Sendai and Morioka, use Akita Shinkansen Train to Akita and change to Oou Line to Takanosu. From Morioka, use Hanawa Line to Odate and change to Oou Line to Takanosu. From Aomori, use Oou Line to Takanosu.By car: From Aomori and Niigata, use Route 7 to Takanosu. From Morioka, use Route 105 to TakanosuBy plane: From Tokyo, fly to Odate-Noshiro Airport and use a limousine bus to Takanosu. From Sapporo, Osaka and Nagoya, fly to Akita Airport and from Akita Airport use a limousine bus to Oou Line Akita station and go to Takanosu by Oou Line.Festival dates: The festival is held on July 14–15; the dedication parade is held twice – July 14, Yoi Matsuri, from 7–9 p.m., July 15, main festival, from 1–2 p.m.

This information was provided by Takanosu Town Office.

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