VOL.207 SEPTEMBER 2025
THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC CULTURE OF JAPAN Passing Down Tradition: Niigata’s Unique Musical Instrument, the Tarukinuta

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The tarukinuta creates a lively rhythm using a wooden barrel as a percussion instrument.

Photo: Eijimaryu Niigata Tarukinuta Densyokai

Across Japan, local festivals are filled with the distinct sounds of traditional instruments rooted in their communities. One such instrument is the tarukinuta, used in summer festivals in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. This unique percussion instrument, fashioned from a wooden barrel,¹ has been passed down for over 300 years. Its rhythmic sound continues to convey the folk culture born in this historic port town.

The tarukinuta is a unique traditional instrument, part of the local performing arts passed down in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. It uses a wooden barrel called an ittodaru,² measuring about 40 cm in diameter and height, as a percussion instrument. In the past, these barrels—originally everyday items used to store miso and soy sauce—were repurposed for musical performance.

The tarukinuta originated in the 18th century, during a time when Niigata was developing as a maritime gateway delivering goods from western Japan to Edo (now Tokyo), the nation’s capital. It is said that sailors would tap the sides of their ships to pray to Ryujin, the dragon god believed to protect the seas. This custom spread to the port town, where locals began striking barrels to enliven festivals, giving rise to the tarukinuta. The instrument’s rhythms became closely associated with bon odori,³ which also grew in popularity alongside it.

During World War II, festivals and similar events were banned, causing the tarukinuta tradition to temporarily disappear. The revival of this tradition is credited to EIJIMA Kozan (1928–2017), the founder of Eijimaryu Niigata Tarukinuta Densyokai. For nearly 80 years, EIJIMA studied the tarukinuta across various regions and passed its techniques on to the modern era. Today, the tradition is carried on by the second-generation EIJIMA Kozan, who succeeded the name in 2022.

According to the second-generation EIJIMA Kozan, the sound produced by the tarukinuta has a unique quality that sets it apart from other percussion instruments: “The tarukinuta originally uses a wooden barrel as its instrument. The outer body and both the top and bottom lids are made from cedar wood, and bamboo hoops⁴ secure the barrel’s shape. The bachi⁵ (drumsticks) for playing are made of hard oak wood. Striking the soft cedar wood with these hard sticks produces a clear, high-pitched tone. When played skillfully on a high-quality tarukinuta, the instrument produces a clear ‘koon’ sound that is both pure and beautiful.”

Unlike conventional taiko (Japanese drums), tarukinuta performances involve striking not only the top lid, which serves as the main playing surface, but also the wooden sides of the barrel, introducing tonal variety and allowing for intricate rhythms. Among the different playing styles, the Eijima-ryu method is particularly distinctive: performers use their entire bodies, striking the barrel with movements that resemble a dance. The result is a visually dynamic and energetic performance.

“In the Eijima-ryu style of tarukinuta, which we preserve, we combine a set of fundamental striking patterns—called kata—with seven distinctive movements, including kawazu-uchi⁶ and happo-kuzushi.⁷ Some pieces are performed in a format where performers take turns striking the barrel, working together to complete a single composition. It is a performing art that requires both individual skill and harmony within the group,” explains EIJIMA.

Today, performances are held mainly at festivals and events throughout Niigata Prefecture. In addition, the group actively participates in special classes at elementary schools, cultural festivals, and commemorative events, with a strong focus on passing this tradition to the next generation.

“Experiencing the tarukinuta at a young age offers children a meaningful opportunity to connect with their local culture. Every time I see them striking the barrel with such focused concentration, I’m reminded of the importance of preserving and passing on traditional culture,” says EIJIMA.

The tarukinuta, a traditional instrument long cherished in Niigata’s daily life and festivals, continues to be passed down to younger generations as a deeply rooted local cultural treasure and will surely be embraced by future generations as well.

• 1. A cylindrical wooden container used for storing and transporting food products such as soy sauce, miso, and sake.
• 2. A traditional Japanese wooden barrel with a capacity of approximately 18 liters.
• 3. In Japan, the Obon festival is held once a year—typically in mid-July or mid-August depending on the region—to welcome, entertain, and send off the spirits of ancestors who are thought to return to the living world. Bon odori refers to the traditional dances performed during this period, either to honor ancestors or as a community event.
• 4. Hoop-shaped bands fitted around the barrel’s circumference to maintain its shape. These are made of bamboo or metal.
• 5. Stick-shaped tools used to strike percussion instruments such as drums and barrels.
• 6. Named kawazu-uchi (“frog strike”) because the movement resembles a frog leaping mid-air. It features distinctive long pauses and flowing gestures.
• 7. A striking technique called happo-kuzushi (“breaking in all directions”) intentionally breaks from the basic movements to enhance performance expression.

By MOROHASHI Kumiko
Photo: Eijimaryu Niigata Tarukinuta Densyokai

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