Shasta Taiko was founded by Jeanne Mercer and Russel Baba in 1985 in Mount Shasta, CA, exposing taiko, the art of Japanese-style drumming, to Northern California and America. Shasta Taiko has introduced taiko to thousands with its performances, community classes, workshops, and ShastaYama (2005 - 2016), the largest outdoor taiko festival in the country showcasing leading American taiko artists. The origins of taiko are not documented, but its roots are found in Japanese rural folk traditions. Taiko were used in planting rituals. Farmers beat drums to drive insects away or imitate thunder to bring rain. Taiko rhythms raised the spirit and enlivened festivals and celebrations. Taiko inspired and signaled troops in battle as well as intimidating the enemy. It is common to find taiko in temples and shrines of Buddhist and Shinto religions. Taiko also plays an important role in Japanese classical and traditional festival music.