Reviving Tradition: Creema's 4th Upcycling Project with Osuwa Taiko Drums

Creema, Japan's largest handmade marketplace, has launched its fourth upcycling initiative, focusing on the Osuwa Taiko drums from Nagano Prefecture's Okaya City. This exciting project aims to breathe new life into discarded leather from these traditional drums, resulting in 13 unique products that will be exclusively available for purchase on Creema from December 19, 2023.

As part of its ongoing commitment to empower creators and preserve traditional culture sustainably, Creema collects ideas from artisans to transform waste materials from cultural festivals into usable everyday items. This project began in 2023 and has previously collaborated with festivals such as the Aomori Nebuta Festival and the Akita Kanto Festival, showcasing the creativity and sensitivity of Japanese artisans while promoting ecological responsibility.

The Osuwa Taiko drums have a storied history, originating from the sacred Kaguya of Suwa Shrine, and their rhythmic sounds have been used to honor harvests and ward off illness. They also played a significant role during the Warring States period, inspiring warriors in battle. Today, these drums are celebrated nationwide, with numerous orders coming from various regions in Japan. However, despite their importance, much of the leather used in these drums—often selected for its sound quality and durability—had been discarded after use.

The new products created from this waste leather range from elegant fashion accessories, including tote bags and shoes, to unique home décor items like lampshades and keychains. Each item reflects the meticulous craftsmanship of the creators, who have successfully incorporated the historical and cultural essence of the Osuwa Taiko into their designs. For instance, a tote bag crafted by Croissant Leather utilizes the existing leather beautifully, while shoes made by HaruKa showcase a combination of the drum leather with Shinsyu textiles.

One standout product is a lamp produced by ENISICA, which highlights the natural wave patterns of the drum leather, casting a warm glow that echoes the spirit of the music it once produced. Similarly, yoccoh's keychains cleverly incorporate Japanese water-ink designs symbolizing community connection.

On top of that, the items will not only be available for purchase online until January 2026, but they will also be displayed at the upcoming HandMade In Japan Festival held at Tokyo Big Sight on January 17 and 18, offering a broader audience the chance to appreciate and acquire these remarkable creations.

Creema continues to champion the synergy between creativity and community development. Established in 2010, Creema's platform has grown to host over 20 million original works by more than 300,000 creators. They aspire to create a fair marketplace and have engaged in partnerships with local government organizations to stimulate regional cultural revival through craft.

This initiative represents a deeper vision of integration, where artisan skills help solve social issues and promote cultural heritage. Now, through the Osuwa Taiko project, Creema seeks to share these compelling stories nationwide, encouraging people to appreciate and value traditional craftsmanship in modern contexts.

With this project, Creema reaffirms its mission to sustain traditional arts and crafts and advocate for eco-conscious practices in the world of handmade goods. The union between culture and sustainability paves the way for future collaborations that can rekindle the spirit of traditional craftsmanship while addressing modern-day challenges.

For further exploration of the products and to participate in the sustainable journey of creation, please visit Creema’s official website.