The Leader in Pianos Est1977
Shigeru Kawai
Handcrafted concert series grand pianos
When Shigeru Kawai succeeded the founder of the company, Koichi Kawai, he had a dream to build Japan’s finest grand pianos. The dream represented not just his origins, but his destiny – an unrelenting force that would launch a lifetime of devotion in the pursuit of perfection. In the Shigeru Kawai piano, you will see not just his labour and his love – but his life.
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From initial design, to the selection of the finest materials, to the handcrafted assembly by Master Piano Artisans, each Shigeru piano is a work of uncompromising craftsmanship, a symbol of unending devotion – a profound expression of pride and honour. For Shigeru Kawai, there could be no other way.
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Like members of a great orchestra, each craftsman brings forth a seasoned wealth of skill and artistry that compels the whole to surpass the sum of its parts. Day by day, the craftsman strives to leave an indelible mark upon each creation – an inexpressible emblem of intense desire and duty. It is this symphony of passionate energies that has elevated the Shigeru piano to the lofty strata shared by few and respected by all.
The pursuit of piano perfection
While our time-honored methods of origin are diligently and reverently applied, Shigeru artisans embrace every modern method for perfecting the art of the piano. Our anechoic chamber enables a comprehensive analysis of pure tone. Advanced materials enhance the stability and consistency of touch. Digital design tools optimize the construction and performance of every component part.
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In the world of pianos, it is not enough to revel in the past. True to its own nature, the Shigeru piano is the epitome of progress and a vision of the future.
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The custom tapered soundboard in a Shigeru piano is made exclusively from the finest spruce, aged by the traditional kigarashi process that uses only the forces of time and nature to allow the wood to attain a state of natural balance. It is this lengthy and painstaking process that gives Shigeru pianos their uniquely rich tonal quality.
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Shiko Seion hammers, which take their name from the Japanese words for ‘ultimate voicing’, are the exclusive province of our Master Piano Artisans who oversee their formation from beginning to end. Every hammer is meticulously hand pressed without the application of heat and carefully voiced without artificial hardeners to ensure outstanding dynamic response and expression.
