Taiko 19th century

Editor: This object is a Taiko drum from the 19th century, made from wood, ceramic, tempera, and other materials, currently housed here at the Met. At first glance, it looks so incredibly precise in its design, a bit intimidating and rigid even in black and white! What's your perspective on this piece? Curator: Well, what strikes me is the silent energy, isn't it funny? How something designed to make a huge sound sits here so still, pregnant with potential. Consider, though, that drums in this period were not simply musical instruments. The geometric precision, yes, but notice too the hand-painted floral decorations! Does that juxtaposition tell you something? Editor: It makes me think that there are so many levels of craft present. Almost as if each part requires a specialist? I notice those incredible bindings as well - all so calculated! Curator: Precisely. This wasn't churned out in a factory. Imagine the collective knowledge involved - the woodworker, the ceramicist, the painter, the rope maker. Think of this not just as one artist's expression, but a cultural moment, distilled. Editor: So you’re saying it’s less about the individual vision and more about collaborative expression through material culture? That’s really fascinating. It’s amazing how an object, something initially quite daunting to me, can reveal a society’s values like this. Curator: Exactly! Isn’t it delicious when a thing unfolds like that? And hopefully inspires you to think that everything can contain volumes when you spend the time reflecting on the stories things can reveal!