Kawai Pianos
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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 tone, touch 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 |
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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 |