Taikoza was formed in 1995 by Marco Lienhard in New York City in collaboration with other professional Taiko players. The Taiko is a large, barrel-like drum that can fill the air with the sounds of rolling thunder. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of instruments. In addition to drums of assorted sizes, Taikoza incorporates also the shakuhachi, the fue (both bamboo flutes) and the Koto (a 13 string instrument) to create a new dimension and a powerful impact on the audience. Taikoza uses drums that are 3 feet in diameter and weigh up to 170 pounds. The largest drum is a 6 foot drum that is 4 ½ inches in diameter.  The group’s love for the Taiko art form transcends national boundaries as they have performed in Europe and Asia and have extensively toured North America, including Canada and Mexico.