Furukawa Taiko is a dynamic drum performance handed down in the Furukawa area in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. A lot of drum performing groups join and play at Furukawa Festival held in early August every year.

This drum performance has its origin in a legend pertaining to Sakanoue Tamuramaro’s expedition to the north land. Furukawa Taiko drumming style is unique in that the six drummers take turns beating one drum. Praying for a rich harvest of the year, the drummers valiantly beat the drum by turns to drive the demons away from their farming land. The stage reaches its climax when their brilliant drum-stick techniques and dynamic rhythm is greeted with thunderous applause from the audience.

During the festival period, about 200 Tanabata-kazari streamers are displayed in the town and the Furukawa Taiko mikoshi parade is held. The colorful Tanabata streamers and roaring sounds of drums put the whole town in a festival mood. Furukawa Festival is the biggest summer event of the city.