OUR PHILOSOPHY
Japanese Craftsmanship for the Finest Taiko Sound
TENRYU is a Japanese taiko bachi brand by Kawai Woodworks, a woodworking company with more than 75 years of experience working with wood.
Since its founding, Kawai Woodworks has treated every piece of timber as a valuable natural resource — carefully selecting, shaping and using wood with as little waste as possible.
From locally sourced Tenryu hinoki to imported woods chosen for their unique qualities, generations of woodworking knowledge lie behind everything we make.
“It feels as though they are creating the sound together with us.”
— Gen, Shidara
OUR ROOTS
Where Wood Meets Music
TENRYU was born on the banks of the Tenryu River in Hamamatsu, a region shaped by both wood and music.
The river flows alongside our workshop. For generations, timber harvested in the surrounding mountains was transported downstream along its waters, connecting the forests of Tenryu with the communities and industries beyond.
This rich history of forestry and woodworking forms part of our heritage. Hamamatsu is also known worldwide as a centre of musical instrument manufacturing — a place where craftsmanship and music have long come together.
Our name comes from the land we call home. Written in Japanese as 天竜 — “ten” (天), meaning heaven, and “ryu” (竜), meaning dragon — TENRYU is a name that carries the strength, movement and resonance of taiko.
OUR VISION
Our Commitment to Taiko
Here on the banks of the Tenryu River in Hamamatsu, wood and music have long been part of our lives.
With over 75 years of woodworking experience, we have developed a deep understanding of wood and specialised techniques in shaping cylindrical wooden products.
Our interest in local festivals and traditional taiko, together with the opportunity to apply these skills, inspired us to begin making taiko bachi.
Through TENRYU, we hope to work together with people who share a love of taiko around the world, creating the tools that bring its music to life and helping to carry this tradition into the future.
Yosuke Kawai
President, Kawai Woodworks
PRESS
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