THE CURVE | ECHO-LOGICAL TAIKO | MIYAMOTO UNOSUKE Co., Ltd.

Bringing to the world
The Curves that did not become Taiko

“The Curve” is a project aiming at turning into new items the wooden blocks deriving from the process of Taiko (Japanese drums) production that are cracked or chipped, instead of wasting them. Various ideas are going to be incorporated to the wood that have the curves unique to Taiko, and the craftsmanship of Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten.

What is a wood
that cannot become Taiko?

Within the wooden materials, some of them are not suitable for Taiko production, because of cracks, wormholes or large knots. There are also wooden blocks coming from damaged Taiko that have been used for decades. A lot of the wood used for large Taiko (Odaiko) are several hundred years old, so we have the responsibility to turn them into something else if not Taiko.

STORY

Spirit of “ The Curve ”

The bodies of Taiko hollowed out of a single log can crack or twist out of shape during the drying process, thus some of them cannot be used for production.
Back in the days when the workplace of the Taiko store was in the house, when they heard the (Taiko) body crack overnight, I heard that everyone agonized saying: “we are losing this month’s income”.
My father, the predecessor, wanted badly to turn them into Taiko, but when I was young I did not listen to him and disposed them once, saying that they take up the warehouse. However this left me with the feeling of helplessness and guilt, and it has always remained in my mind.

The beginning of the project

In our warehouse, there are Taiko bodies that have been cut out in curve to become Taiko, but became unusable because of cracks. On the occasion of “Echo-logical Taiko” project, I was looking at those materials once again, and the image of the curve of a seat surface came in my mind. I felt the opportunity: “Even if they cannot become Taiko, they may be able to become something else.”
Without wasting the wood, can we turn them into “something else” taking advantage of those curves? This is how “The Curve” started.

Prototypes using traditional craftsmanship

The planing technique to finish up the Taiko: Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten has been preciously maintaining this technique that becomes difficult to inherit as times change.
We may be able to use this technique that finishes up the curve beautifully for other products than Taiko. Based on this idea, we started to create some prototypes.

Shin-on Kansha Nihon Taiko Matsuri (Japan Taiko festival)
Trophy for Odaiko (large Taiko) solo performing competition
Chair prototype

The surface finished up with a hand plane is smooth and water-repellent.I would like people to enjoy the hand feel and texture of it with other products than Taiko as well.

“The Curve” project aims at the realization of those products, hand in hand with creators and people who are interested in this project. Also, I do believe that this project will allow the expansion and the development of the “Echo-logical Taiko” activity, which aspires to enrich both the arts and environment using the existing materials and techniques.

Yoshihiko Miyamoto Miyamoto-Unosuke Shoten President and CEO

COLLABORATED PRODUCTS

Given its properties, “The Curve” is able to “become anything”, and has the potential to be a project full of diversity. As the first round, we collaborated with an artist: a stool produced with a designer in Paris, Pierre Charrié.

Specialized in lifestyle-related product design, he is also particular about decoration in his creations. In Japan he works with Japanese prefectures, and is also running a design research business. He has been teaching in art and design school since 2009, and has also been collaborating with Japanese craftsmen and manufacturers.

GALLERY

Re-Taiko Stool No.10
Re-Taiko Stool No.2

The above two stools can be made to order. Please contact us anytime if you consider a purchase or if you need further information.

THE ORDER PROCEDURE

About the order at “ The Curve ”

We would like to create a new “Curve” with people who are interested in this project. Feel free to contact us anytime if you need more details or if you would like to see the material.

Our techniques

Since the establishment in 1861, we have been mastering a large variety of fine techniques through the production of the equipment such as Taiko or Mikoshi (portable shrine).
If you wish to apply any processing or decoration to your creation with “the Curve”, we may be able to meet your need. You will find below our main techniques. Please feel free to contact us anytime.