A Shared Experience Like No Other at Miyamoto Unosuke’s HIBIKUS Taiko School
2025.01.21
LIFEBoom, boom, boom, BOOM! The powerful rhythm of Japanese taiko drums resonates deep within your body. The relaxed atmosphere of the room sublimates into focused intensity, the studio vibrating from the compelling beat.
HIBIKUS, a taiko school operated by Miyamoto Unosuke Co., Ltd.—a company renowned for manufacturing and selling Japanese taiko drums—offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn this traditional art. Since opening its first studio in 2014, the school has expanded to three locations: the Yokohama Studio; the Asakusa Basement Studio, located beneath their headquarters in a renovated Taisho-era mikoshi (portable shrine) display room, which was once used as an air raid shelter; and the Tenjin Studio in Fukuoka, a city famous for taiko drums.
Many of the students are women, drawn to the energizing experience of drumming. “I can forget about work and household chores and focus entirely on the taiko,” says one intermediate student at the Yokohama Studio.
HIBIKUS offers a variety of classes, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for the most common type of taiko known as nagado-daiko (long-bodied drum), as well as specialized classes for odaiko (large drum) and shime-daiko (rope-tensioned drum). There are also children’s classes and courses for yokobue and shinobue flutes, depending on the studio. The instructors include an impressive roster of seasoned professionals, from globally active taiko players to musicians who perform in traditional kabuki theater. Yet, most students are beginners who join simply out of curiosity.
Currently, over 500 students attend the three studios, and more than 50 of them have been enrolled since the school’s inception a decade ago. A woman in her seventh year at HIBIKUS, now attending intermediate classes, shared her love for taiko: “The sense of unity when everyone’s rhythm comes together is amazing.” Observing a class, you can’t help but be swept away by the exhilaration as the resounding beats and vibrations fill the room.
From left: Longtime instructor Kazuyuki Mandokoro (foreground, right), who has taught since the school’s opening. “First, I want the students to appreciate their fellow players. Then, I hope they’ll fall in love with the drums,” he says. One young boy, just three years old, began attending the children’s class after hearing taiko at a local festival in Nippori.
Since its founding in 1861, Miyamoto Unosuke has handcrafted taiko drums, other traditional Japanese instruments, and festival equipment like mikoshi, supporting Japan’s rich traditions and festivals. According to President Yoshihiko Miyamoto, the establishment of HIBIKUS was driven by the desire to create more connections with customers while encouraging a deeper appreciation for Japanese musical instruments.
Today, taiko is no longer limited to temple and shrine ceremonies, local festivals, or traditional performances like kabuki and noh. Its versatility has brought it into various modern fields, making it increasingly popular as a musical instrument. This trend attracted many students to HIBIKUS from the start. For Miyamoto, the enthusiasm of the students opened a completely new world.
Moreover, observing how taiko changes with use has informed improvements in their drum-making process. “Taiko grows with use,” Miyamoto explains. By studying how the school’s drums wear over time, the company has identified areas to refine. “For instance, noticing which parts wear out quickly or understanding why certain drums don’t develop a rich sound has helped us improve both functionality and craftsmanship,” says Miyamoto.
Yoshihiko Miyamoto, president of Miyamoto Unosuke, continues to innovate with projects like kaDON, which offers online taiko lessons in English, and Unomisé, a souvenir brand promoting traditional Japanese crafts (available at their Nishi-Asakusa store, pictured right).
Miyamoto believes taiko is inherently a shared experience that connects people through its communal rhythms. As a “tactile instrument,” the drum resonates not only in the ears but also through the body, allowing participants to feel the vibrations physically. This unique quality transcends language and sensory differences, fostering an inclusive community where anyone can join in.
HIBIKUS is more than just a place for self-improvement or pursuing a hobby—it’s a space where people from diverse backgrounds unite through the art of drumming. Perhaps this sense of community and shared purpose is why so many students continue their taiko journey for years. If you’re looking to try something new in 2025, why not give taiko drumming a go?
