About
When you open the door to a building nestled in a corner of Asakusa, Tokyo’s downtown, you enter a space where the heartbeat of the world resounds. This is the “Taiko Museum,” established in 1988 by Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten, a museum dedicated to drums. Approximately 800 drums are on display, each telling the story of a different culture and history. (miyamoto-unosuke.co.jp)
As you step inside, the first thing that catches your eye is the array of traditional Japanese taiko drums. The nagado-daiko, made from zelkova trees over a hundred years old, are meticulously carved by craftsmen and boast elegant, smooth curves. Their surfaces are carefully finished with a plane, revealing beautiful wood grain. The drumheads are processed naturally using rice bran, producing a deep, rich tone. (story.nakagawa-masashichi.jp)
As you proceed further, you find a diverse collection of drums gathered from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The African djembe creates unique rhythms through the combination of animal skin and wooden body, while the Indian tabla captivates listeners with its complex rhythmic patterns. These drums are deeply connected to the cultures, religions, and daily lives of their regions, expressing people’s joys, sorrows, and prayers.
One of the features of the Taiko Museum is that many of the drums on display can actually be played. Drums marked with a “♪” symbol are available for visitors to freely play, allowing them to directly experience the sound. By playing these drums, visitors can reflect on the cultures and histories of distant lands. (miyamoto-unosuke.co.jp)
Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten, which operates the museum, is a long-established company founded in 1861 (the first year of the Bunkyū era), specializing in the manufacture and sale of drums, portable shrines, and festival equipment. Its techniques and traditions are recognized by many cultural institutions and shrines, including the Imperial Household Agency, the National Theatre, and the Kabukiza Theatre. At the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, a large gagaku drum made by the company was used, and its sound echoed around the world. (miyamoto-unosuke.co.jp)
The Taiko Museum is not just an exhibition facility, but a place to experience the world’s cultures, histories, and people’s hearts through drums. The resonance of the drums felt here transcends time and borders, stirring the souls of those who listen. Why not leave behind the bustle of Asakusa and listen to the heartbeat of the world in this space of silence and sound?