Oubu-daiko, a performance with its roots in Hongo, Tonicho, in Kamaishi, Iwate, began in 1953 (Showa 28), as a hand-dancing drum performance held during the annual festival at the Amaterasu Mioya Shrine (present day Kamaishi Sakura Matsuri Festival), and was founded by the youth of the Hongo area under the guidance of its creator, Miura Tokumatsu. Since then, the drumming performance has been passed down, with its techniques refined over the years.
One of the characteristic features of Oubu-daiko is known as the Oubu-ryu Maiuchi, a dynamic and amazing drumming technique which invokes the imagery of falling cherry blossom petals.
Since the beginning of the Heisei era, there has been a focus on creative and original music, and the Kobuou-kai, which formed in 2001 (Heisei 13), not only carries on the tradition of Oubu-ryu Maiuchi, but also dedicates efforts towards creative taiko drumming, and participate in various events as Oubu-daiko / Kobuou-kai.
Despite the devastating tsunami resulting from the Great East Japan Earthquake engulfing the entire area on March 11, 2011 (Heisei 23), Kamaishi received support and encouragement not only locally, but from across the country, and efforts towards a comeback were made in May of the same year, with a revival achieved in July. They have since made Kobuou-kai Oukyokan their base of operations.