Communicating the Charm of Taiko Drums Through Craftsmanship and Experience

“To preserve the tradition of taiko drums as part of Japan’s cultural heritage, I believe it’s essential to focus not only on craftmanship, but also on creating meaningful experiences.”

Yoshihiko Miyamoto is president of Miyamoto Unosuke, a long-established maker of taiko drums, mikoshi (portable shrines), Noh theatre instruments, and gagaku (ancient court music) instruments. One project embodying this philosophy is Mori o Tsukuru Taiko (“Taiko that Creates Forests”). Rooted in the idea of reconnecting with the origins of taiko drums, nurtured by Japan’s harmonious coexistence with nature, the initiative involves crafting drums from Japanese cedar trees in the forests of Hinohara Village, Tokyo. In May 2022, a concert was held in the forest where the drums originated from.

The performance began with a live demonstration of tree felling. “We wanted people to experience the entire cycle of a tree’s transformation, from ending its life, to becoming a musical instrument, before finally returning to its birthplace to produce sound,” says Miyamoto. The performance resonated deeply, with the sound of the taiko seemingly echoing through the forest in harmony with the surrounding trees, creating a profound, hallowed atmosphere. The concert was part of a broader experience, including forest walks guided by experts, spoon-making, and a workshop on playing taiko drums. These multifaceted activities were designed to inspire people to reflect on the relationship between nature and humanity.

As part of creating experiences like these, Miyamoto emphasizes the importance of instilling admiration and aspiration for taiko. One of their standout projects, Waraku Soden, is a performance featuring a diverse ensemble of traditional Japanese instruments such as taiko drums, shamisen, flutes, and koto. In 2021, they collaborated with a historic Kyoto-based costume maker to stage a unqiue production at Shibuya’s Orchard Hall, blending traditional instruments, elaborate attire, and contemporary dance—a performance that met with a high acclaim. In September 2022, they plan to debut a new stage production at Asakusa Public Hall, incorporating numerous drums from the Mori o Tsukuru Taiko initiative and workshops that invite audience participation.

“At the forest concert, I was struck by how freely the children enjoyed themselves,” Miyamoto reflects. “Going forward, I would like to develop more programs for parents and children, fostering the interest of the next generation. It would also be wonderful to create opportunities for everyone to participate in urban settings, such as city and concert halls. If we can craft spaces where the stage and audience become one and enjoy the performance together, I believe traditional performing arts will come alive in new and meaningful ways.”