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[The Boss]

Fukushima's Aizu region includes over 700 meters of mountainous terrain. The wood used in making our taiko, Keyaki (Zelkovia), Sen, Tochi (Horse Chestnut), Tamo, and Nara (Scrub Oak), all come from the Aizu area. Aizu has historically been a source of timber for manufacturing, especially taiko. As a result forested areas have decreased over time in this region. The Aizu area was already experiencing deforestation prior to the Second World War, and the problem has increased during Japan's post-war prosperity. Many manufacturers have resorted to importing timber for their taiko (Bubinga for example), and thereby contributing to deforestation in other countries. Since we are using only materials produced in Japan, we decided to pursue manufacturing methods that would help conserve our remaining natural resources. Working towards this goal, we created the "Eco-Taiko" and the "Hi-Tech Taiko." These taiko are made using stave construction, therefore alternative sources of timber, such as Tamo and Nara can be used. This allows us to make taiko that look and sound like traditional single-piece drums, while preserving old growth Keyaki and Tochi trees.

At Kawada Taiko we specialize in making taiko drums and taiko accessories. Our factory is located in Haryu, Tajima City, Minami-Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Fukushima is a heavily forested, mountainous area located about 300 kilometers north of Tokyo. The region is famous for raising horses, fishing, and "Bandai" National Park. Trees from the Aizu area have been used in making taiko for hundreds of years. http://www.kawadataiko.com

Kawada Taiko was founded in 1979, by Kawada Hisayoshi. He chose to locate the Kawada factory in the Minami-Aizu area because of its history, and natural resources. In 1984, Kawada Taiko made an advance in taiko manufacturing technology with the introduction of the "Hi-Tech Taiko." The "Hi-Tech Taiko" uses stave construction as an alternative to single piece taiko, which requires cutting down large trees. The worldwide depletion of old growth trees has caused large timber to become scarce, this is especially true in Japan. Stave construction allows us to use alternative sources for our materials, such as "nara" wood (a type of oak), which is also less expensive.

The introduction of this new technology received high praise at craft and music expositions around Japan. In October 1989, our second factory in Nakaarai, Tajima City began operation. Kawada's taiko school opened in March of 1991. In November of the same year we participated in the largest musical instrument fair in Japan, the annual "Tokyo Music Fair." We have been attending every year since, displaying our newest drums and performing taiko on the fair's sound stage.