Outside Westside Woodworking in Kekaha the predictable fragrance of oak permeates the air. However, what is being crafted in the shade of trees adjacent to Ray Nitta’s studio today is not the artist’s usual cabinetry. A half dozen men and
Outside Westside Woodworking in Kekaha the predictable fragrance of oak permeates the air. However, what is being crafted in the shade of trees adjacent to Ray Nitta’s studio today is not the artist’s usual cabinetry. A half dozen men and women guide orbital sanders over the smooth surface of barrels.
In February, Taiko Kaua‘i founder Nitta, began the pleasure-filled and arduous task of making drums with the newest members of the group. Taiko Kaua‘i formed in 2001 when Nitta and 14 friends sought to learn the art of taiko. In March 2008, for the first time since the group’s inception, eight more students joined. Most Saturdays the group has gathered at Nitta’s studio to build drums — no small endeavor, but a necessary upgrade from the tires on which they first learned rhythms.
“We began on throw-away tires from Tire Warehouse,” said the soft spoken Nitta.
The center of the tire was criss-crossed with strips of packing tape then wrapped with duct tape. The many layers provided a strong enough surface to bare the pounding of the bachi (sticks) on the surface.
Reconfiguring discarded Napa wine barrels was the first step in this rigorous project. From there: sanding, staining, lacquering; followed by the designing of hardware for surface decoration, the stretching of the cow’s hide for the head of the drum, tacking the hide and finally, the building of stands and wheeled rings for transporting the drum.
“It’s a birthing process,” Nitta said. “Before we begin we name our drums. In the blessings we give, we give thanks to the tree for the wood, the cow for the hide and the Earth for the metal.”
Since the group’s inception Nitta has midwifed 45 taiko drums ranging in five sizes. Japanese taiko drums run from $4000 for a small (chu-daiko) to $25,000 for a large one (O-daiko).
“There are taiko drums that go for millions,” Nitta said. “The reason we started making drums is if you want a drum this size, (pointing to the o-daiko on a stand in his studio) it would cost between $15 and $25,000.”
Taiko Kaua‘i will christen their new drums June 12 and 13 at the Hanapepe Hongwanji obon dance.
