During the Tenmei era (1781-1788), when the Yatsushiro region was hit by a 3-year drought, people bearing taiko climbed Mt. Ryuhouzan and, after playing drums to pray for rain for three days and nights. Their wish was fulfilled as rain began to fall and both people and crops regained vitality. The tradition is said to have started with dance while swinging lengths of bamboo dangling with 5 to 6 one-mon coins.