Otonomori
What is Otonomori?
“Otonomori” means ‘Forest of Sound’ in Japanese. Yamaha calls sustainable forests that produce wood suitable for musical instruments "Otonomori," and engages in Otonomori activities around the world to achieve such forests together with society. Wood is essential to musical instruments, and the type of wood used has a significant, direct impact on their performance and value. Yamaha aims to achieve sustainable forests that allow us to focus on the tree species we need, conserving them while utilizing their woods.
Topics
Areas of Activity
We conduct Otonomori activities all over the world, in places with different climates and cultures.
Click on the photos of trees to see details about the projects in each area, such as the trees raised there and the regions in which we are active.
![[ Image ] Areas of Activity](images/map.jpg)
Three pillars for achieving sustainable forests: forestry development, wood utilization, and "mokuiku"
Trees are grown in forests, processed into lumber, and transformed into products that are distributed around the world.
Rather than thinking about forests and wood as separate from each other, we take into account all of the processes involved in the resource supply-chain, from forests and local communities through to manufacturing.
We also focus on "mokuiku" activities that help people to discover the link between forests and musical instruments, and strive to pass on the utilization of wood from these forests to the next generation.
Striving for Forestry Development and Sustainability
Growing trees suitable for use in musical instruments requires advanced forest management and long periods of time. Trees grow in a wide variety of environments, and in addition to deepening people's understanding of trees, we aim to create and demonstrate forest conservation models that suit each region. In doing so, we hope to make the conservation models a part of local industry as well as people's daily lives, ensuring that they meet the needs of both.
Using Wood and Drawing Forth More Value
When making musical instruments, subtle changes in materials can have a significant effect on sound and processing. Internal cracks, grain angles, knot patterns, and color variations are all positive characteristics of wood as a natural biomaterial but can be rejected due to disadvantages when making musical instruments. We are developing technologies that allow us to utilize the rejected wood in musical instruments, and to make use of wood that has until now been deemed unusable in our products. We do not see this as using waste wood; rather, this is a technology for using "unutilized materials"— a way to use wood in consideration of forests, society, and music.
*Unutilized materials: Unused materials and scraps generated through the careful selection and processing of wooden materials when making instruments.
Connecting Trees and Forests to Music —Our "Mokuiku"
“Mokuiku” refers to activities that foster a well-rounded mindset capable of considering the relationship between people, trees, and forests independently by allowing people to feel a connection with and truly treasure wood. Yamaha’s “mokuiku” activities are rooted in the wood craftsmanship and commitment to sustainable forestry that it has built as a musical instrument manufacturer crafting products from wood for more than a century. Through experiencing sound and music, Otonomori “mokuiku” activities allow people to more fully realize the individuality of wood, the connections between forests and people, and their great value. Come join us in thinking about forests, people, and the Earth a hundred years from now.
Castanet Making Workshops