Nature’s rhythms: the evolution of the Japanese taiko

For centuries, the soulful rhythms of the taiko drum have carried the ancestral spirit of Japanese culture. Played at traditional ceremonies and rituals, the drums’ majestic tones invoke blessings for bountiful harvests and pay homage to the natural gifts of the land.

Yoshihiko Miyamoto’s family has been crafting taiko drums and other Japanese festival equipment since 1861. For over 160 years spanning eight generations, and through the waves of change in the nation’s history – war, peace, natural disasters, and rapid economic development – Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten has stood as one of Japan’s most recognized names for artisanal ritual instruments.

From the very beginning, the company has been guided by the same philosophy: ‘Value skill and honour tradition (宮本重義作)’, a concept that Miyamoto was determined to uphold when he inherited the company in around 2010. It is a belief in doing what’s right over what’s profitable. To Miyamoto, this means prioritizing the proper transmission of heritage, both in terms of the instruments’ appreciation and craftsmanship.

Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten produces about thirty types of drums, that could be expanded to over a hundred if the different sizes are considered. The drums are crafted using a variety of materials, each chosen with precision to suit the specific drum type. The primary ones are zelkova wood (keyaki – ケヤキ), cedar (sugi – 杉), and bamboo. The company employs two distinct manufacturing methods: one involves hollowing out a single piece of wood, while the other laminates wood into a board shape and joins it together. 

“We prefer to create items that aren’t consumed quickly. Instead, we focus on making good quality products that can be used for a long time, repaired, and then used for even longer.” 

Tuning in to nature

As Miyamoto contemplated the drums’ sacred role in Japanese culture and their inextricable bond with nature, he felt a growing responsibility to nurture the very forests that in turn, nurtured his family’s craft. Traditionally, taikos were made primarily from dense-grain premium woods such as zelkova and cedar, chosen for their aesthetic value and durability. But over-reliance on a few tree species risked upsetting the delicate forest balance.

“In seeking high-quality materials, the drum-making industry hasn’t always considered the long-term environmental impact,” he said. “But the very spirit of the taiko symbolizes the harmonious coexistence between man and nature.” Determined to restore this intrinsic balance, he began exploring possibilities to utilize more sustainable wood sources that would allow both the heritage and natural environments to thrive.

So when he met Ryosuke Aoki of Tokyo Chainsaws through a mutual friend, it was as if Mother Nature herself had responded to his call. Tokyo Chainsaws is a Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)-certified forestry company based in Hinohara village, just west of Tokyo. Discovering a mutual reverence for nature and cultural preservation, the two agreed to a collaboration: the ‘Echo-logical Taiko Project’.

With this, Miyamoto would use readily available, FSC-certified stock such as snow wood from Hinohara Tokyo Citizens’ Forest for certain types of drums. The project led to the release of a new line of sustainable taiko drums, making Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten the first company in the world to obtain FSC certification for taiko products.

“It’s a revolutionary approach considering the cultural significance of the instrument and the usual preference for straight-grained wood”, said Aoki, believing that this ground-breaking initiative may become a turning point for forestry development in Japan. Utilizing wood from sustainably managed forests helps to ensure habitat stability while boosting local circular economies.

For Japanese people, drums are deeply familiar and indispensable in festivals. “I recognize them as such instruments. In that context, the fact that the wood from these forests is used to make drums is something that I find very pleasing.” 

 A cultural and ecological trove

Stepping into the cool shade of Tokyo Chainsaws’ forest with us on a brisk summer morning, Aoki explained. “People are often surprised to learn that 70 per cent of Japan is covered in forests.” Forests, if properly cared for, are a valuable source of responsible timber and such is the mandate of Tokyo Chainsaws: to protect forest ecosystems and increase locally-sourced materials through sustainable forestry and selective harvesting.

“Here in Hinohara village, you can see many cedar and cypress trees that were planted post-World War II. They have matured and are ready for use,” Aoki said. Currently, much of Japan’s timber resources remain underutilized, partly due to a lack of awareness among the public. Aoki believes that more can still be done to showcase the bounty of Japan’s forests and boost utilization, beginning with community engagement.

Walking through the narrow winding paths within the forest, Aoki told us that these pathways were intentionally incorporated to connect the community to the forest. “By making forests more accessible by foot, we can welcome more families, children, nature lovers, and business owners such as Miyamoto to visit and see the tremendous impact and promise of forests for themselves,” he said. Ultimately, the goal is to help forests gain recognition as living, breathing ecosystems; a cultural and ecological treasure worthy of stewardship in its own right.

With a revered craft such as taiko-making leading by example, Aoki is hopeful that more artisans – and society in general – will follow suit, paving the way for more conscious sourcing and new possibilities.

This forward-looking mission resonates deeply with Miyamoto. “Traditions thrive by honouring the past yet embracing the future,” he reflected. “Our skills and products are only relevant if they match the needs of society and convey the values of Japanese culture even as it evolves.” The addition of new elements such as FSC-certified materials, he believes, strengthens this enduring spirit and opens opportunities for progress.

Nowadays, beyond the manufacturing side of things, Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten also actively fosters appreciation for the taiko’s significance and legacy through taiko classes, events, and other community initiatives.

With stewardship and cooperation, both Aoki and Miyamoto hope that traditions, communities, and the environment will resonate interdependently for generations to come.