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| Tokyo Taikokan Drum Museum: Asakusa | |||
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When you think about it, drums haven't changed much over the years. They have certainly diversified - think of the thousands of forms used today - but the basic principle isn't that different from the drums played by our ancestors hundreds, or even thousands of years ago.
Visiting Tokyo's Drum Museum is a bit like looking at the instrument's family album. Percussive forms from around the world cover the walls, shelves and floor space of this single, medium-sized room. There are Djembes from Mali, Cuicas from Brazil, Chimes from China and Tambourines from Italy. Check the world map on the far right wall to locate each instrument's far-flung origins. Most of the pieces exhibited offer an explanation of when and how they're used, but few have English plaques. This is a shame, because I really wanted to know the full story behind the "Wedding Drums" from Benin. This pair of immense wooden structures (nearly 1 and 1/2 meters tall) seems to represent, quite literally, the male and female components of marriage. Conservative parents need not concern themselves, however, since the happy couple here represents the only overtly sexual items on display. Most of the collection appears to be items used for religious or spiritual reasons, such as the great number of bells, gongs and large Taiko-style drums from different regions (and eras) of Asia. Now here's the best part: most of these instruments are waiting to be played: look for color-coded stickers to indicate which can and cannot be touched. There are plenty of opportunities to test out the goods here, and kids will love it, but be warned: sleeping children won't stay asleep for long. The room can go from nursery-quiet to street-party-loud in a matter of seconds, and the effect can be startling. The drum museum's first-floor shop is a great spot to pick up souvenirs, traditional Japanese gifts, or even a drum of your own, but make sure to check the other drum shop just a block or two away (see directions). The museum proprietors, Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten, are major drum manufacturers for traditional drums used in temple festivals in Japan, making the spot of added interest to drummers the world over. The gift shop area is also a good location to find flyers and information about drumming performances around Japan. Most people will find an hour to 90 minutes plenty of time to take it all in, and the museum's proximity to Asakusa Station makes it an ideal spot to drop by after a visit to Sensoji Temple, the Asahi building/brewery or as part of a waterbus tour. All you need is a couple hundred yen and a sense of rhythm. by Jason Jenkins |
Tokyo Taikokan Drum | ||
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