Kathmandu Wadaiko is a traditional Japanese percussion instrument. It is a hollow, cylindrical drum bound by leather on both ends. When the skin is hit by bachi — wooden sticks — the wadaiko produces a sound that is both energetic and exciting. The head of the drum may be fastened to the shell using ropes. “This instrument has been played in Japan since ancient times,” informs Hiromi Ishioka, President of Akafuji Daiko, a Japanese Musical Group through Binod Ghimire, interpreter and Secretary of Nepal Japan Friendship Society. There is another smaller drum called sime, which leads the music. The legacy of playing musical instruments was passed from one generation to the other in Japan. “People in my area used to play the drum and I learned by watching when they played,” says Ishioka. Playing for causes Why do people play musical instruments? There could be many answers —  hobby, profession, or love for it. But Ishioka didn’t play it for fun or to pass the time. In 1995, Kobe was shaken by a disastrous earthquake. He had sent his employees (he was handling a business then) to help the quake victims in Kobe. His 136 employees helped the victims in any way they could. They returned motivated. Since then Ishioka has wanted to do social work so that he can motivate youth and help society. “I wanted to serve society and doing the thing that I was good in would be better than anything else,” he adds. Hence, his team decided to help tsunami and earthquake victims by playing music and volunteering. He was here after the April 25 earthquake last year to help quake victims. “We distributed food items, medicines, bio-toilet and educational materials,” he informs. Ishioka also plays the wadaiko for peace and prosperity. In 2001, he made and played the biggest drum for peace and prosperity in the world. But the same year, the 9/11 attack happened in America. “I felt bad then. But the next year I was there in New York’s Zero Ground beating the drum so as to give moral support to the people.” This Japanese drummer, who is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for building the world’s biggest drum and playing it, also played the drum in Nepal during the celebration of 50th anniversary of Nepal-Japan Friendly relationship in 2006. The country was then going through the People’s War. He played the five-feet drum hoping for peace in Nepal then. “I was very happy when there was political agreement later,” smiles Ishioka. Journey to Nepal Ishioka is here in Nepal for the 26th time. Recalling his first visit in November, 2003 he shares, “I was here for a programme to distribute musical instruments. When we landed, my children wanted to return to Japan immediately as they felt the environment was weird. But as we stayed and got to know about the country, they wanted to spend more time here.” Ishioka feels that Nepal has qualities that Japan has lost. “Nepalis are helpful and value family relations. I feel that the Japanese have lost such qualities. Japan is economically prosperous and people are well-off, but there is not much family attachment like in Nepal. To teach the family attachment and values of respect and good deeds, I regularly visit Nepal with my children,” he adds. Legacy of playing the drums Ishioka is not the only the one in his family who plays the drum. His wife Sachiko Ishoika and daughters Taeko Kawata Ishioka (34), Aki Ishioka (31), and Mayumi Ishioka (21) are beating the same path. Sachiko, who married (Hiromi) Ishioka at the age of 21, didn’t know how to play the drum, but after watching her husband play it, she started playing it too. The daughters wanted to play it by watching their parents play the instrument. “I was interested in it since I was a child,” recalls Taeko. Mayumi started playing the drum when she was three years old. “I always felt happy when my sisters played the drum and wanted to play with them together. This is how I learnt playing the instrument,” shares Mayumi. Playing the drum is not just about individual practice; it needs equal practice with team members. “We are playing the drums but we need support of all team members. When the whole team beats the drums, the sound is an extraordinary. We are into playing the wadaiko to preserve the culture of playing drums,” informs Aki. As such even the grandchildren are equally interested. Taeko’s son Konoe Kawata (11), and daughters Akari Kawata (5), and Misaka Kawata (3) too are interested in playing the drum. It is not just Ishioka’s family that is interested in keeping drumming alive. There are many others who are equally interested in playing the drums to continue the legacy. Ritsuko Suzuki is another team member who has played the drum for the last 17 years. Her entire family is interested in playing it. “The drum has helped me take care of my children. I used to give it to my children when I had to leave home to take other children to school. They used to entertain themselves with it while I was away,” smiles Suzuki. The drum has become a tool for the Japanese to be together as the family. “To play the drum, we sit together. It brings all the members in the same place. There is more intimacy in the family,” adds Suzuki. Though the children learned the techniques from their parents, they now outsmart them. “My daughter Aya now corrects me when I do something wrong,” laughs Suzuki. More and more young people have started playing the drums. Honda Kensuke (13) has been playing the drum for the last three years and he feels that playing the drum gives him energy. It has also given him benefits too. “Friends come to me when I start playing the drum,” he smiles. He wants to continue it throughout his life. “I don’t think I can live without the drum,” he adds. Akafuji Daiko will be performing at Yak and Yeti Hotel, Durbar Marg on September 3, 2:00 pm onwards on the occasion of 60th anniversary of Nepal-Japan friendship. Entry is free.