The taiko drummers of Wajima are a fearsome sight to behold. While other areas save their devilish drumming displays for special occasions throughout the year, here they practise at all times. Perhaps that should be no surprise as their history stretches all the way back to 1576, when the drumming was said to have saved a village from invasion by a malevolent warlord. The drummers, with thunderous rhythm and seaweed hanging from their heads, scared away the attackers before they could carry out their plan, which explains why they play with such gusto today.