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Kawai Pianos

 

For Kawai pianos that we have available for purchase, click here

 

1927: The Founding of Kawai

Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was founded in 1927 by Koichi Kawai, a visionary inventor and piano craftsman. A former protégé of Torakusu Yamaha (founder of Nippon Gakki, now Yamaha Corporation), Koichi set out to create a company dedicated to the art of fine piano building in Hamamatsu, Japan, the heart of Japan’s musical instrument industry.

 Koichi Kawai (front row center with glasses) and seven kindred colleagues formed the Kawai Musical Instrument Research Laboratory in Hamamatsu, Japan.

 

1930s–1940s: Precision Engineering and Growth

Kawai quickly gained a reputation for high-quality upright and grand pianos, known for their meticulous construction and rich tone. During these early decades, the company focused on building reliable instruments for schools, homes, and professional musicians across Japan.

An early look inside the Kawai piano production plant.

 

1950s: Post-War Rebuilding and Innovation

After World War II, Kawai resumed full-scale piano production, bringing in modern machinery and advanced manufacturing methods. Koichi Kawai’s vision for innovation led the company to explore new materials and techniques, setting it apart in the increasingly competitive piano market.

 

1960s–1970s: Expansion into Global Markets

Under the leadership of Koichi’s son, Shigeru Kawai, the company began expanding internationally. Kawai entered the United States and European markets, establishing itself as a serious competitor to established Western piano brands. The company also began producing grand pianos for concert performance, further elevating its reputation.

 

1970s–1980s: Technological Leadership

Kawai became a pioneer in piano innovation, being one of the first manufacturers to introduce ABS-styran plastic action parts, which were more resistant to humidity and warping than traditional wooden parts. This led to the development of their Ultra-Responsive Action system.

In 1980, Kawai released the first of its digital pianos, combining the brand’s acoustic expertise with cutting-edge electronic technology.

 

1990s–Present: The Shigeru Kawai Legacy

In honor of Shigeru Kawai’s dedication to perfection, the company launched the Shigeru Kawai line of handcrafted grand pianos, which represent the pinnacle of Japanese piano craftsmanship. These pianos are hand-built by Kawai’s Master Piano Artisans (MPAs) in Japan and are used by concert pianists worldwide.

Kawai also continues to lead in the digital piano space, with award-winning models in its CA (Concert Artist) and ES series.

 

Legacy and Innovation

Today, Kawai is recognised as one of the “Big Three” piano makers in Japan, alongside Yamaha and Roland (digital only). With over 95 years of experience, Kawai pianos are celebrated for their exceptional tonetouch sensitivity, and build quality.

Whether it’s a Shigeru Kawai grand, a K-series upright, or a Kawai digital piano, the brand continues to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation—making it a favourite among teachers, performers, and piano enthusiasts around the world.

Koichi Kawai, founder of Kawai Musical Instruments, alongside a grand piano.

 

For more information about the different types of pianos, click the links below:

Uprights 

Grands


Serial Numbers

1927 - 4200 1930 - 6000 1935 - 8350 
1940 - 9600 1945 - 12000



1950 - 14200 1952 - 15000 1953 - 16200
1954 - 18600 1955 - 20590 1956 - 21300
1957 - 22500 1958 - 23200 1959 - 24900



1960 - 26000 1961 - 54500 1962 - 75760
1963 - 85622 1964 - 132307 1965 - 165178
1966 - 203433 1967 - 251660 1968 - 303686
1969 - 369088




1970 - 425121 1971 - 488834 1972 - 558216
1973 - 633601 1974 - 718768 1975 - 785568
1976 - 844362 1977 - 904384 1978 - 973490
1979 - 1067130




1980 - 1126366 1981 - 1219355 1982 - 1300000
1983 - 1380000 1984 - 1475000 1985 - 1550000
1986 - 1630500 1987 - 1706250 1988 - 1781250
1989 - 1856250




1990 - 1950000 1991 - 2000000 1992 - 2050000
1993 - 2100000 1994 - 2160743 1995 - 2197503
1996 - 2244232 1997 - 2279943 1998 - 2314043
1999 - 2350000




2000 - 2380000 2001 - 2410000 2002 - 2430000
2003 - 2466000 2004 - 2495000 2005 - 2518000
2006 - 2543000 2007 - 2566000 2008 - 2584000