Inventories: The Material Culture of Taiko

This chapter addresses North American taiko players’ relationships with the material objects used in musical practice, including drums, drumsticks, costumes, and other equipment. North American players’ creation of new equipment and the value they place on Japanese equipment is discussed. Close attention is paid to the drums and equipment owned by Rev. Tom Kurai (Taiko Center of Los Angeles), to the entire contents of one musician’s gear bag, and to the author’s drumsticks and T-shirt collection. Accompanying video shows the long process of packing the van with taiko equipment for a performance event. The sartorial styles for taiko players’ performance costumes and their foundation in Japanese festival clothing is discussed in terms of tradition, orientalism, and the global garment industry.