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Meaning

a flatterer, yes-man

Someone who fawns on others to stay in their good graces. Originally a male entertainer (hōkan) who livened up guests' fun at banquets.

Example

課長の前では太鼓持ちになり、笑うところまで合わせている。

In front of the section chief they turn into a flatterer, even laughing on cue.

Origin

Taikomochi as an occupation is thought to have appeared in the Genroku period, when lavish pleasure-seeking was in fashion (some encyclopedias place it around the Hōreki era). The source of the name is unclear; one theory derives it from the taiko drum used in musical accompaniment. There is also a well-known story that Sorori Shinzaemon, a member of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's otogishū (companions), was called taikō-mochi for flattering Hideyoshi with the words "Taikō, ikaga de" (How is it, my lord Taikō?). But this remains a legend, including whether Sorori existed at all.

Sources