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Taiko Notation Project (…a work in progress)*

Kuchi-shōga (“mouth writing,” also kuchi-shoka/kuchi-shouga/kuchi-showa depending on
the area of Japan or tradition) is a phonetic system used to teach most Japanese
instruments. Each note or sound that an instrument produces is assigned a different
syllable. It is often said: "if you can say it, you can play it." For example, the syllable "Don"
refers to striking the middle of the drumhead (hara), while "Ka" refers to striking the wood-
backed edge of the drumhead (fuchi).1

Kanji > Kuchi-shōga2 > Western Notes: Quick reference chart

When: =1    [or =1] (Fonts: MusiSync, Zapf Dingbats, MS PMingLiU)

Chu / Sumo Quiet & Rest/Ma

ドン Don [or ] ツ tsu ( ) [or ( )]

ドコ DoKo [or ] ツク tsuku [or ]

カ Ka [or ] イヤ i-ya Q Q [or Q ]

カラ KaRa [or ] ス su Q [or E or S]
Shime Atarigane (Chan Chiki)

天 Ten [or ] m Cha [or ]

テケ TeKe [or ] mン Chan [or ]

l Chi [or ]

l–l ChiKi [or ]

*Always check TaikoSource.com for most up-to-date version. This is a living document and
will change as information is gathered. The chart above is the most commonly used notation
for quick reference. For more detailed and extended information, see next pages….

                                                                                                               
1
Original text from Rolling Thunder: http://www.taiko.com/taiko_resource/learn.html
2
Some text from Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center: http://www.taikonyc.com/kuchishouga/

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For the purposes of the following detailed charts, the “one” count in each group
(ex. “Don”) will be considered a quarter note.

Chu / Sumo

Syllable Meaning

Don A beat to the hara (center of drumhead) of large taiko. For the purposes of this
ドン chart, "Don" can be considered to be a quarter note.

Alternative:
Kon: Left “Don” value hit

DoKo Two alternating beats to the hara, starting with the strong hand, played twice as
ドコ quickly as a single Don. If a Don is a quarter note, DoKo is two eighth notes.

Alternative: DoRo

Don-go Two alternating beats to the hara, starting with the strong hand, played twice
with a swing beat.

doKon Two beats to the hara, emphasizing the second beat. Same time value as Do-Ko.

>

Do-don Two beats to the hara with the strong hand, emphasizing the first beat. Same
time value as DoKo.

>

koDon Two alternating beats to the hara starting with the weak hand (left), emphasizing
the second beat. Same time value as DoKo.

>

Ka A beat on the fuchi (outside edge of the drum). Same time value as Don.
カ

KaKa Two beats on the fuchi. Same time value as DoKo.

カカ
Alternatives:
Ka-Ra: Always right/left hits
Ka-Ta: _______

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Quiet & Altered Notes (Any Drum)

Tsu A note played lightly. Same time value as Don.

ツ
( )

TsuKu Two notes played lightly. Same time value as DoKo.

ツク
( )

Zu A note where the bachi is left on the drumhead after impact, to muffle and
deaden the sound. Same time value as Don.

ZuKu Two notes played where the bachi is left on the drumhead after impact to muffle
and deaden the sound. Same time value as DoKo.

Rest / Ma (Any instrument)

So-Re Twice the time value as Don.

ソレ
This rest can also be vocalized depending on need.

QQ
I-Ya Pronounced: "ee-yah." A rest, a pause. Same time value as Don, or can be
イヤ longer.

QQ This rest can also be vocalized depending on need.

Hup A rest, a pause. Same time value as Don.

Q This rest can also be vocalized depending on need.

Su A rest, a pause. Same time value as Don, or can be shorter.

ス
This rest can also be vocalized depending on need.

Q
n (u)N. Half the time value as Don.

E
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Shime

Ten A beat to the hara of a shime-daiko. For the purposes of this chart, "Ten" can be
天 considered to be a quarter note.

TeKe Two beats to the hara of a shime-daiko. If a “Ten” is a quarter note, TeKe is two
テケ eighth notes.

Alternative: TeRe

Atarigane (Chan-chiki)

Cha A beat to the center of an atarigane.

m

Chan A muted beat to the center of an atarigane.

mン

Chi A beat to the “near” inner edge of an atarigane.

l

Ki A beat to the “far” inner edge of an atarigane. This is rarely played alone, but
l usually as part of an eighth note pair — ChiKi.

ChiKi Two beats to the inner edges of an atarigane. This is played with and up-down
l–  l or side-to-side motion of the shumoku (mallet), and each inner edge of the
atarigane is struck once.

Alternative: ChiRi

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Western Notation / q =1    
Quarter note. In a piece marked as 4/4 time, there are four quarter note time-
values per measure. 4/4 time is a typical taiko time signature.

Quarter rim shot. All rim shots have the same notation as other notes, except
using an “x” attached to the stem to indicate an “edge hit.” See “Ka.”

Q Quarter rest.

Eighth note. Two are played in the same time value as one Quarter note.

E Eighth rest.

Two eighth notes.

Sixteenth note. Four are played in the same time value as one Quarter note.

Sixteenth rest.
S
Two sixteenth notes.

Four sixteenth notes.

One Eighth note and two Sixteenth notes. (To Do: Outline)
m
Notes as outlined objects. Simply copy/paste into document, no font needed.

Updates to do: Finish Kanji/Katakana and Rests as outlined objects.

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