Koichi Kawai (1886-1955) A Never-Ending Quest For Perfection
Founder • Inventive Genius
It was well over a century ago in Japan that a reed organ builder was struggling alone to build an upright piano from imported parts. One day, he was surprised to see a neighbor’s son riding by on a unique pedal-driven cart, the first ever to travel the roads of Hamamatsu, Japan. The aspiring piano builder was so impressed when he learned that the boy had designed and built the cart by himself that he invited the young man to be his apprentice. The next day, the invitation was accepted and a dream was born… as the young man, Koichi Kawai, the son of a wagon maker, would set out to build his first piano.
The ensuing years would reveal Koichi Kawai’s extraordinary genius for design and innovation. He led the research and development team that introduced pianos to his country. Later, he became the first in Japan to design and build a complete piano action, receiving many patents for his designs and inventions. It was an impressive beginning… yet his greatest achievements were still to come.
During the 1920s, the Japanese piano industry began to falter. The company that employed Koichi was struggling and new management had taken control from the original owner. It was then that Koichi Kawai, confident that the pursuit of excellence would always bring opportunity, decided to build a dream of his own. And so, his quest began in 1927 as he and seven kindred colleagues formed the Kawai Musical Instrument Research Laboratory in Hamamatsu, Japan. Together, it was their dream to one day build the world’s finest piano.
The early years provided many diverse challenges – the shortage of qualified craftsmen, the continual scarcity of quality materials, and an underdeveloped network of dealers for reaching potential customers. Yet, the determined company prospered. By the early fifties. Kawai had grown to over 500 people producing over 1500 pianos per year – and Koichi Kawai had received the prestigious “Blue Ribbon Medal” from the Emperor of Japan, becoming the first person in the musical instrument industry to receive such an honor.
By the end of its first quarter century, the company had put in place the foundations of excellence and dedication that would motivate and inspire its people for decades to come.
Shigeru Kawai (1922-2006) The Sound Heard Around The World
“Making Kawai the sound heard around the world was our vision, but making Kawai the sound preferred around the world is our ultimate goal.” – Shigeru Kawai
Koichi Kawai died suddenly in October of 1955 at the age of 70. Succeeding him at the helm was 33-year-old Shigeru Kawai who would lead his family’s company into the realm of modern manufacturing. With Japan’s economy improving, Shigeru foresaw rapid growth in the musical instrument industry. He correctly reasoned that the company could not continue to rely solely upon traditional “hand work” production methods and still meet growing demand. The future, he believed, would combine hand-craftsmanship with the finest technology. Therefore, Shigeru began construction of two new factories, one a wood processing plant and the other a piano assembly plant using the company’s first modern production line. Kawai’s production capability and manufacturing expertise grew exponentially in the years that followed.
Next, Shigeru began to focus on ways to stimulate market demand for pianos. Believing that music education was the key to any instrument purchase, he built a network of Kawai Music Schools. Since these schools would require teachers, he created the Kawai Academy of Music to train qualified music teachers to staff the newly established schools. At the same time, Shigeru originated the Kawai Piano Technical Center to train qualified service technicians in the art of caring for pianos.
Finally, to take the Kawai message to the people, he initiated a unique door-to-door sales program to encourage music education through piano study. Working synergistically, these programs flourished. During the 1960’s, Kawai had nearly 2,000 door-to-door salesmen in the field and over 300,000 people participating in Kawai Music Schools across Japan.
With domestic business now firmly established, Shigeru turned his attention toward making Kawai “the sound heard around the world.” Ready and able to meet worldwide demand, Shigeru launched Kawai America in 1963… followed by Kawai Europe, Kawai Canada, Kawai Australia and Kawai Asia. Today, Kawai Musical instruments enjoy recognition in every major market in the world.
Hirotaka Kawai Continuing The Legacy
“At Kawai, the quest for perfection is not just an ideal… but a duty.” – Hirotaka Kawai
In 1989, the presidency of the company was passed to Shigeru’s son, Hirotaka Kawai. Hirotaka began with a pledge to carry on the “commitment to excellence” established by his father and grandfather. Early in his tenure as president, Hirotaka invested tens of millions of dollars to incorporate advanced robotics in the production process.
Then he took production outside Japan for the first time with the launch of Kawai America Manufacturing and the acquisition of the Lowrey Organ Company, followed by the founding of Kawai Asia Manufacturing in Malaysia in 1991 and the establishment of Kawai Finishing in the United States in 1995.
Later, he oversaw the development and introduction of Kawai’s internationally-acclaimed RX Series Artist Grand Pianos. And, most recently, he continued to strengthen Kawai’s worldwide manufacturing presence with the establishment of Karawan – “Kawai’s Japanese manufacturing facility” in Indonesia, built with meticulous care to uphold and perpetuate the company’s exacting standards of quality.
Kentaro Kawai is the current President of Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a leading global manufacturer of pianos and musical instruments. A member of the prestigious Kawai family, Kentaro Kawai draws a prominent family line to the company’s founder, Koichi Kawai, and stands as the 4th President of the company.
Active at Kawai since 2007, Kentaro Kawai has been instrumental in upholding the company’s tradition of excellence while steering it toward innovation and modernization. Under his leadership, Kawai Piano has continued to produce high-quality acoustic and digital pianos renowned for their superior craftsmanship, technological advancements, and exceptional sound quality.
He has overseen various initiatives to enhance production techniques, integrate cutting-edge technology, and expand the company’s global reach. His commitment to innovation is evident in the development of hybrid pianos that combine traditional acoustic elements with advanced digital features, catering to a wide range of musicians.
Kentaro Kawai’s vision extends beyond product development. He is dedicated to fostering a culture of musical appreciation and education, supporting numerous music programs and initiatives worldwide. His leadership reflects a blend of respect for the company’s storied past and a forward-looking approach to meeting the needs of contemporary musicians.
Through his guidance, Kawai Piano will continue to thrive as a symbol of musical excellence, cherished by pianists and music enthusiasts around the world.
