Bachi (枹) (also batchi or buchi) is the name for the wooden sticks used to play Japanese taiko drums, and also (written 撥) the plectrum for stringed instruments like the shamisen.

Drum bachi are made in a wide variety of sizes and materials, as appropriate to the drum it will be used to play. A typical bachi is about 2,2 cm (7/8 inches) in diameter, 40 cm (16 inches) long and made out of a hardwood such as oak. These would be suitable for a wide variety of playing styles.

A bachi for playing a larger drum like the O-daiko would be bigger both in circumference and length. Similarly, smaller bachi are used for smaller drums.

Some other woods commonly used to make bachi are: maple (kaede), pine (matsu), cypress (hinoki), magnolia (hoo), beech (buna) and bamboo (take). – (Japanese names in parentheses)

Taiko drumming is a highly visual art form, so it is not surprising that bachi are sometimes decorated with bells and/or tassels for use during performance.