【JWCS】 New material proves effective as an ivory substitute for musical instruments! Comparing the acoustics of bamboo-based cellulose nanofiber koto nails with ivory ones
JWCS Press release: October 15, 2025 To Members of the Press New Material Proves Effective as an Ivory Substitute for Musical Instruments! Comparing the acoustics of koto claws made with cellulose nanofibers derived from bamboo and those made with ivory Debut performance at the “Ivory-Free Koto Concert” on October 31st, sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Research Society
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substitutes are being developed to meet the needs of professionals. This product is particularly eagerly awaited by koto players living overseas, who are unable to bring ivory items into the country.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/136367/10/136367-10-d88676e7012e761b0320b06c71ab9bde-3900×3900.jpg Ivory substitute Koto nails (C)︎Sera_Creations 2. Acoustic
measurements of new materials Sera Creations has been working on developing ivory substitutes for Japanese musical instruments for the past eight years, and has produced numerous prototypes with the cooperation of professional performers and acoustic researchers. We have now analyzed the sound of koto nails made from cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and comparable ivory nails. The analysis was performed on the sound produced by koto plectrums made from bamboo-derived cellulose nanofiber (CNF). Below are graphs measuring the acoustics of products 2 (graph: orange) and 4 (graph: sky blue), which have different material compositions, as well as an ivory plectrum (graph: blue). From this graph, we can see that product 4 in particular has a sound that is close to that of ivory.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/136367/10/136367-10-0d7d2b4b5ae20662d5936567cbde5a35-981×480.jpg Figure 1 (C)︎Sera_Creations Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the beginning of the sound.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/136367/10/136367-10-73c63cac248fc9bc0921718ee66684c8-962×492.jpg Figure 2 (C)︎Sera_Creations 3. New values proposed by the
“Ivory-Free Koto Concert” Since professional koto players use ivory koto claws in concerts, the Certified NPO Wildlife Conservation Research Association is holding an “Ivory-Free Koto Concert” to showcase the sound of koto claws made from this new material to the public. This “Ivory-Free Koto Concert” has three objectives. 1) Proposal of an ivory substitute made from a new material that closely resembles the tone of ivory koto plectrums 2) Adapt to the changing times and propose a new culture that shifts away from the value that has traditionally placed the sound produced by ivory as the best. 3) By collaborating with traditional African percussion instruments, where elephants live, we propose that by being conscious of where ivory comes from and “not using ivory,” traditional Japanese music can connect with countries and people around the world who are calling for a ban on ivory trade. The sounds produced by professional musicians will touch the hearts of those who hear these proposals. Ivory-Free Koto Concert ~An Evening View of the Horizon of Koto Music Sponsored by Certified NPO Wildlife Conservation Society (JWCS) Co-sponsored by Certified NPO Tiger and Elephant Conservation Fund/Sera Creations Sponsored by: Japan Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Public Interest Incorporated Association), Japan Committee for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Tears of African Elephants (Certified NPO) Date and Time: Friday, October 31, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM (Doors open at 5:00 PM) Venue: Tokyo Women’s Plaza Hall (5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) Concert Application Tickets: 1,500 yen per person (tickets for the parent-child room are free for elementary school students and younger) [Ticket Sales Site: Peatix] https://ivoryfreeconcert2025.peatix.com 【Program】 Doors open at 5:00 PM In the hall leading up to the event, you can enjoy the audio program “Living Earth Tour,” a podcast produced by the Wildlife Conservation Research Group. Around the reception area, there will be an introduction to the activities of the Wildlife Conservation Research Group and its co-sponsoring organization, the Tiger and Elephant Conservation Fund, as well as an exhibition of Japanese musical instruments made from ivory alternatives. 6:30 PM Opening remarks 6:35 PM Lecture 7:05 PM Performance 7:40 PM Closing remarks 7:45 PM End 【Lecture】 “Elephant Poaching and Japan’s Ivory Market” Masayuki Sakamoto, Certified NPO Tiger and Elephant Protection Fund “The Challenge of Finding Ivory Substitutes to Protect Africa’s Elephants: Nanoforest, a New Material Made from Renewable Resources” Hiromi Hashiba, Development Department, Chuetsu Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd. 【Performance Music】 Classical Koto Music & Contemporary Koto Music Koto and Djembe Collaboration To play the koto, we use koto nails made from a new material derived from bamboo, which was developed as an alternative to ivory, and koto pillars made from a resin blended with plant-based ingredients. 【Performer】
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/136367/10/136367-10-5975055385c2eb653e118ab9d9087a44-1800×2700.jpg McQueen Tokita Miyama McQueen Tokita Miyama (McQueen Tokita Miyama) McQueen Tokita Miyama focuses on improvisation, contemporary music, and original compositions. Originally from Australia, he strives to create unique music that is based on tradition but appeals to modern listeners. In addition to performing solo, he also performs in a variety of ensembles, earning a reputation for his natural and expressive style. He has performed at the Tokyo Jazz Festival and Germany’s Moers Festival, and collaborated with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Art Orchestra, and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. In 2019, he resided in New York as a grantee of the Asian Cultural Council, where he engaged in contemporary, experimental, and improvised music. In 2020, she released a solo album featuring works by European, American, Australian, and Japanese composers. She studied under Satsuki Odamura and Kazue Sawai. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/136367/10/136367-10-0295b262833a932bbd86ca4b9585616f-780×1113.jpg Abdou Bayefall Abdou Bayefall (Abdou Bayefall) A native of the Republic of Senegal, he is a professional dancer of traditional West African dance. At the age of 17, he made his international debut as the youngest member of the prestigious dance company “Ballet Senomew,” earning him the nickname “Fils du ballet” (children of ballet). He also caught the eye of Baaba Maal (Senegal’s national singer) in Morocco, where he joined the company’s touring dancers. He then moved to Spain’s “Ballet la frica 2000.” During the performance, she played three roles: dancer, chakaba, and drummer, and also taught dance, a role she played for two years. After returning to Senegal, she joined the Senegalese national dance company, “Ballet la linguere,” where she worked as a dancer and choreographer for three years. She received international dance instructor licenses from the Senegalese government for five dances: Djembe Dance, Sabar Dance, Sorouba Dance, Tiakaba (a dance performed on one leg using stilts), and Coumpo Dance (a dance of the Jola people). She came to Japan for the 2002 World Cup
performance. Since then, she has based herself in Japan, conducting dance workshops and performing as a dancer and drummer around the world. She is one of the valuable dancers who will continue to pass on Senegalese traditional dance to the younger generation. *The djembe player has been changed to Abdou