Shigeru Kawai SK5 – Chamber Grand with impressive power, prestige and professional depth

The Shigeru Kawai SK5 marks a significant evolution toward the semi-concert segment within the prestigious Shigeru Kawai series, combining the refinement of artisanal Japanese piano craftsmanship with a noticeably larger scale, greater power and commanding stage presence. At 200 cm in length, the SK5 is officially positioned as a “Chamber Grand” — designed for professional studios, recital halls, conservatories, luxurious private environments and pianists seeking substantially greater tonal projection without immediately moving to a 214 cm semi-concert grand or larger. Each SK5 is handcrafted by Kawai’s Master Piano Artisans in Ryuyo, Japan, following the same uncompromising philosophy as the larger models in the series. The result is an instrument where traditional craftsmanship, exclusive materials and advanced technology unite in a grand piano of exceptional musical authority.

Tone & projection – More monumental scale, broader resonance, commanding presence

Thanks to its larger 200 cm frame, the SK5 delivers a distinctly more powerful, broader and more deeply resonant tonal character than the more compact SK2 and SK3. Its custom-tapered premium solid spruce soundboard, naturally aged through the traditional Kigarashi process, forms the foundation of its rich, complex and extraordinarily expressive voice. The bass becomes fuller, more powerful and impressively stable, while the midrange retains richness, nobility and vocal warmth. In the treble, the addition of boxwood bridge caps (an official enhancement beginning with the SK5) provides greater projection, clarity and tonal transmission. Combined with concert agraffes, front and rear duplex scaling, all-spruce beams and the exclusive Konsei Katagi rim, the SK5 offers an exceptional combination of power, nuance and harmonic richness — ideal for pianists seeking a broader musical canvas.

Action & control – Concert-level precision and artistic freedom

The SK5 is equipped with Kawai’s advanced Millennium III Action with ABS-Carbon technology, engineered for exceptional speed, durability and precision. This high-performance action provides remarkably consistent response, rapid repetition and refined control across the full keyboard, even in the most demanding repertoire. Its longer keys and reinforced hammer shanks significantly enhance playing control and energy transfer. The exclusive Shiko Seion hammers, handcrafted by Master Piano Artisans without artificial hardeners, offer an exceptionally broad dynamic spectrum and highly nuanced tonal shaping. As a result, the SK5 combines increased power and projection with an impressive level of subtlety and artistic control.

Materials & artisanal construction – A Chamber Grand without compromise

Like every instrument in the Shigeru Kawai series, the SK5 is built according to an uncompromising philosophy in which every detail serves musical superiority. Its exclusive Konsei Katagi Hybrid Inner Rim combines premium hardwoods to optimize resonance and structural stability. Its custom-tapered solid spruce soundboard, fully Neotex white and black keys, SOLID (Stretcher Over-Lap Integrated Design), hand-wound bass strings (Temaki), all-spruce beams, boxwood bridge caps, Dual Pivot Damper system, concert agraffes, V-Pro plate and meticulously hand-finished components reflect an exceptional level of piano craftsmanship. Every element contributes to an instrument designed for maximum durability, superior tonal development and concert-level reliability.

Who is it for? – The ideal choice for recital halls, professional studios and ambitious artists

The Shigeru Kawai SK5 is designed for professional pianists, conservatories, recording studios, smaller recital halls and discerning music lovers seeking significantly greater scale and power than traditional salon or conservatory grands can provide. Thanks to its combination of near semi-concert projection, premium artisanal craftsmanship and refined control, the SK5 is an especially compelling alternative for those seeking concert-level performance in a more versatile format than the larger SK6 or SK7. Within the premium Chamber Grand category, the SK5 stands among the absolute finest in the world.

Shigeru Kawai at Piano’s Maene – Decades of expertise, unmatched authority

Piano’s Maene was the very first official Kawai dealer in Europe and has built unique expertise around the brand since the 1960s. Today, we have grown into Europe’s largest Kawai dealer and proud premium dealer of the prestigious Shigeru Kawai collection. This exceptional historical partnership reflects not only our deep trust in Kawai’s quality, innovation and artistic vision, but also guarantees our clients access to an unparalleled selection, specialized guidance and decades of expertise. Choosing a Shigeru Kawai at Piano’s Maene means choosing a world-class instrument, supported by generations of piano passion.