Creema creators turns taiko drum leather waste into 13 upcycled goods

Creema Ltd. has launched a collection of 13 upcycled products featuring discarded cowhide from Osuwa Daiko drums. This is the fourth instalment of the “Japanese Festivals x Creema Upcycle Project,” a regional revitalisation programme that repurposes waste materials from traditional Japanese culture into modern lifestyle items. The new range includes fashion accessories and interior goods.

Osuwa Daiko, based in Nagano Prefecture, traces its origins to the sacred music of Suwa Taisha Shrine. Historically used to motivate the armies of Takeda Shingen during the Sengoku period, these drums are now highly regarded across Japan. The manufacturing process requires premium, blemish-free domestic cowhide to ensure a powerful, resonant sound. While the drums can last for decades with proper maintenance, the process of replacing skins and cutting the leather inevitably generates offcuts and retired materials that were previously incinerated.

The project invited creators to submit ideas that utilise the unique durability and texture of this drum leather. The resulting 13 items demonstrate a diverse range of craftsmanship. Notable pieces include a tote bag that preserves the original circular form of the drum skin and a pair of shoes that combines the leather with Shinshu Tsumugi silk. Other creations include a blouson with leather pocket details and a lampshade that utilises the natural undulations of the drum’s edge to create warm lighting effects.

Creema intends to showcase these items at the “HandMade In Japan Fes’ Winter 2026,” held at Tokyo Big Sight on 17 and 18 January 2026. By leveraging its platform of over 300,000 creators, the company aims to solve social issues through creative design while ensuring that traditional cultural elements remain relevant in a contemporary, sustainable economy. Creema has had previous successful collaborations with the Aomori Nebuta Festival, the Akita Kanto Festival, and the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi.