MASTER PIANO ARTISANS
THE ARTISAN’S QUEST FOR MASTERY
LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO BUILDING THE FINEST PIANOS IN THE WORLD
THE QUEST OF THE ARTISAN
The love of music-making runs deep in those who pursue the esteemed rank of Master Piano Artisan. For some, it is a visceral sense of calling that inspires this unique quest for mastery. The road is long and arduous. One must prove himself worthy in the world’s most prestigious concert halls and international piano competitions.
But, for those who attain it, the role of Master Piano Artisan provides the rare privilege of crafting the tools of endless possibility. Applying his own unique musical personality, the artisan transforms each Shigeru piano into a distinctive work of art, ready to discover its true and lasting voice at hands of the artist.
Naoto Ichikawa
Master Piano Artisan
Naoto ‘Nick’ Ichikawa is at the very height of his profession. Depth of experience, refined talents, and passion to his craft qualifies Naoto as one of Kawai’s select Master Piano Artisans.
David Reed
Master Piano Artisan
David Reed is a newly certified Master Piano Artisan who has always been intrigued by the mechanics of acoustic pianos, in addition to being a lifelong pianist.
Tatsuya Murakami
Master Piano Artisan
Tatsuya Murakami is an eminently talented piano craftsman who has travelled extensively in support of Shigeru Kawai piano owners and international piano competitions.
A UNIQUE VISIT
ENDURING HONOR
It was Shigeru Kawai’s wish that his honor would be upheld among all who enter into his legacy. For this reason, those who possess a Shigeru Kawai piano will receive an extraordinary visit from one of our elite Master Piano Artisans within the first two years of ownership. It will be our privilege to provide a complete concert-level regulation, voicing and tuning as our gift to those who have selected the Premier Piano of Japan.
AN ART IN ITSELF
INTUITION
The ability to select the right wood, the kind that can speak fluently in every dialect of emotion from fiery fervor to gentle whispers of tone, is an art in itself. Whether it is select spruce for the soundboard, premium mahogany for the hammers, or choice maple for the bridge, the material chosen for every distinct part of a world-class piano must be perfect for the task. Shigeru craftsmen have spent decades refining this uncommon ability to discern between the satisfactory and the sublime. It is this venerable wisdom, this intuition, that one can hear and feel in every note of a Shigeru piano.
A LIMITED EDITION TREASURE
Time has little relevance in the creation of a Shigeru piano. There is no rush to completion. No pressure to perform, no demanding deadlines. Each artisan understands that the ultimate priority is perfection. This explains why every element of the crafting process is three to five times longer, and why the Shigeru workshop is a place of unruffled focus and serenity.
If there is an underlying secret behind the resonant song of the Shigeru grand piano, it is this tranquil place of origin where heart, mind and spirit are given the time to breathe and the freedom to soar.
RARITY
The rigorous degree of handwork and use of specially chosen materials keeps these instruments rare in both character and quantity. Each Shigeru piano is a Limited Edition treasure, born to fulfill the lifelong dreams of the artist.
SHIGERU KAWAI MODELS
Explore SK Grand Pianos
A Shigeru piano is much more than the intelligent application of material, labor and design. It is an art form born not from the head, but from the heart. Thus, the craftsman does far more than simply “build” it—he brings it to life.
The sensitive nurturing of every part, every joint, every subtle nuance vests each piano with an intangible quality—a soul—that lives on from generation to generation. And those who own a Shigeru piano know that they possess not merely an instrument, but a partner in the musical pursuit of dreams.
