With every beat of the drum, students at Loyal Heights Elementary made a lot of noise while learning about Taiko, the Japanese art of drumming last week.

One World Taiko, led by husband and wife team Gary Tsujimoto and Nancy Ozaki, are working with the children as part of a Washington State Arts Commission funded Artists in Residence program.

Last year the students learned about jazz from guitarist Michael Powers. This year, they're absorbed in this centuries old Japanese art.

Taiko means "the art of drumming" in Japanese and was traditionally used in religious ceremonies, imperial court music, the Kabuki Theatre and by ancient warriors to put fear in the enemies and inspire their own soldiers to be more courageous.

Taiko is played at many community festivals in Seattle. During the summer, the public can enjoy Taiko groups at the Chinatown International District Street Fair and the Bon Odori dance festival at the Seattle Buddhist Church. Both events take place in July.

Ozaki greeted each group of Loyal Heights students by introducing them to some basic Japanese. "Ohaiyo goyzaimasu" means good morning," she said.

The couple invited the kids onto a stage where their drums were set up. Each was encouraged to pick up a "bachi" or drumstick.

They followed a simple musical pattern written down as "don," "kara" or "ka" to play a phrase. Each child watched closely as Tsujimoto demonstrated on a "Shimedaiko," a small drum wrapped with ropes that produced a high pitch tone.

The children repeated each beat on a "Chudaiko," or medium sized drum.

"We try to keep it simple and have success with basic rhythms," said Tsujimoto.

Ozaki said different kids learn at different speeds. "The hardest part is learning the stance, the leg position. Once they get that it's easier," she said.

One World Taiko performs at many events and visits schools. They are also hired to entertain at corporate functions.

Their educational presentations allow them to expose young people to the Taiko which was adapted by Japanese Americans who were born in the U.S.

The sound is universal in a lot of ways. "All cultures have drums. It's a basic element that goes back in man's history," said Tsujimoto.

Jill Mount, a parent who is on the Artist in Residence committee says the visit by One World Taiko has opened her son Connor's eyes to a different way of learning.

Connor is in the first grade and has been studying Japanese culture in class. In April, One World Taiko showed the kids Japanese dances and songs.

Starting in the early 1980's many Asian Americans began forming Taiko groups in cities like Seattle, San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver. In Seattle alone, there are eight Taiko groups.

Tsujimoto helped found one of the leading U.S. groups, San Jose Taiko. Osaki started with Denver Taiko.

Both Tsujimoto and Ozaki have performed with one of Japan's top groups, Ondekoza.

"It enabled us to express ourselves, explore our roots and take pride in our culture. A lot of it was doing something our ancestors did," Tsujimoto said.

Tsujimoto lived a communal lifestyle with Ondekoza. "It was a hard life. You spend the whole time practicing, building strength and performing in front of huge audiences," he said.

The couple formed One World Taiko in San Francisco. They moved to Orlando, Florida for four years where they performed at Disney World's Epcot Center Japan Pavilion.

"The crowds were always different everyday. We met people from all over the world," said Ozaki.

They lived in Denver before visiting Seattle and became attached to the city. "We came here and we really loved it. People are friendly and open-minded. We feel comfortable here," said Ozaki.

One World Taiko will return in early June to prepare the students for their own Taiko performance during the school's final assembly on June 13.