Kawai Musical Instruments - History

History

Koichi Kawai, the company founder, was born in Hamamatsu, Japan in 1886. As the son of a wagon maker, Kawai developed an ability to create mechanical devices and inventions at an early age. He began working in the piano industry in his early teens, and, while still a young man, became a key member of the research and development team that first introduced pianos to his country. Koichi proved to be a gifted inventor who became the first to design and build a complete piano action in Japan. He was awarded many patents for his designs and inventions.

In 1927, Koichi Kawai founded the Kawai Musical Instrument Research Laboratory, employing seven like-minded colleagues. In the early days, the only thing that supported them was their passion for music and desire to produce superior pianos. Koichi's fundamental principles were always centered around quality, music appreciation and the quest for excellence.

After Koichi Kawai's death in 1955, Shigeru Kawai became company president at the young age of 33. He was determined to remain true to his father's ideals. He foresaw rapid growth in the music industry and planned accordingly, expanding production facilities and establishing a number of organizations to promote the value of music. A resourceful innovator, Shigeru became the evolving link between the age of skilled handwork and modern technology. In 1980, he opened the Ryuyo Grand Piano Factory, recognized today as one of the most advanced piano-building facilities in the world. Later, he introduced the ultra-high-end Shigeru Kawai Grand Piano line, which he described as "his personal legacy to the piano world." Shigeru Kawai served as president of the Kawai company from 1955 to 1989 and chairman from 1990 until his retirement in 2002. He remained active as a company consultant until his passing in 2006 at the age of 84.

Hirotaka Kawai was appointed president in 1989 and remains committed to carrying on the tradition established by his father and grandfather. Under Hirotaka's guidance, the company embarked upon a program that invested tens of millions of dollars to integrate advanced robotics into the manufacturing process. He established Kawai manufacturing facilities in locations around the globe. More recently, he oversaw the introduction of several new series of grand, upright and digital pianos that are now regarded among the finest in their respective categories.

Today, the Kawai Musical Instrument Manfacturing Company distributes acoustic and digital pianos to over 80 countries around the world.