Handmade castanets crafted by a thousand people

Yamaha’s castanet-making workshops began in 2023, with the intent of making the connection between musical instruments and wood a more familiar one. So far, over 1,000 people have participated in these workshops.

The castanets created at these events are all made of unused wood materials, which are a byproduct of the processes used to manufacture musical instruments. Participants can compare and select the pieces of wood they want to use from a variety of types while learning about their connection to other musical instruments, their color, wood grain, smell, and texture, and enjoy creating a unique castanet with their own original sound.
Each small wooden piece that could not be used at the factory to create an instrument has its own personality and story to tell. Watching the participants excitedly select the wooden pieces while they discover these personalities and stories, earnestly complete their own castanet, and play them with delight is a meaningful part of Yamaha’s Otonomori activities.
We hope that the marvelous sounds of the more than 1,000 castanets that we have made together with our participants will resound throughout Japan.

These workshops are held on an irregular basis in a variety of places such as Yamaha shops, and at outdoor events. Come experience the connection between musical instruments and wood together with us!