The Story of Shigeru Kawai

The story of Shigeru Kawai does not begin in a boardroom, but on the workshop floor. After the Second World War, Shigeru returned home and joined the Kawai family. He worked long days in the factory, lived among the craftsmen and came to know the instrument from the inside out. Later, he was taught by his father-in-law Koichi Kawai, the founder of Kawai and one of the pioneers of Japanese piano building. Koichi passed on to him a simple yet demanding conviction: anyone who builds pianos must always strive to create the best pianos in the world. This idea would guide Shigeru throughout his life.

In 1980, Shigeru Kawai realised a dream he had cherished for many years: the Ryuyo Factory, in Shizuoka Prefecture. He did not see this place as an ordinary factory, but as a “workshop in the woods”: a green and peaceful environment where wood, silence, research and craftsmanship come together. All Shigeru Kawai grand pianos are still built in Ryuyo today. The factory was founded with one goal: to continue Koichi Kawai’s vision and create pianos that rank among the finest in the world. In this exceptional environment, natural materials receive the time and attention they deserve, while experienced craftsmen refine every detail by hand. In this way, Ryuyo becomes a place where pianos are not merely built, but where the soul of the instrument gradually comes to life.

Ryuyo was not built only to produce pianos, but also to deepen the understanding of the piano as an instrument. It was in this environment that the EX concert grand was created, followed later by the Shigeru Kawai series, named after the man who developed Kawai into an international symbol of Japanese quality. In the factory, hand craftsmanship, material selection, acoustic research and continuous refinement come together. Even modern technology serves one single purpose: to build an instrument that feels natural, expressive and deeply musical.

Shigeru Kawai passed away on 20 August 2006, but his vision lives on in every piano that bears his name. The craftsmen of Ryuyo continue to work according to the same philosophy: never being satisfied with “good”, but continuing to search for the exceptional. In 2012, the Shigeru Kawai series underwent an important complete model renewal, in which the keyboard, construction and tonal architecture were further refined. The grand pianos received, among other things, longer keys for greater control and expression, improved structural rigidity for more stability and projection, and further integration of Kawai’s advanced piano technology. This renewal brought together the traditional craftsmanship of Ryuyo with new insights into touch, resonance and durability. In this way, Shigeru Kawai remains a living story today: rooted in heritage, yet constantly evolving.