What is the Kawai company?

Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing is a Japanese company that, in addition to manufacturing musical instruments, operates in the fields of music education, acoustics, electronics, precision metal, and other technologies. The company's headquarters are in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Hamamatsu is considered one of the most important centers in the history of Japanese musical instrument manufacturing.

The key aspect that differentiates Kawai from other digital piano companies is that it was first established as an acoustic piano master. The company manufactures upright and grand pianos that work with real strings, hammers, soundboards, and mechanics; it then applies that knowledge to the key, sound, and cabinet systems of digital and hybrid instruments.

Koichi Kawai: founder and inventor

In 1927, Koichi Kawai founded the Kawai Musical Instruments Research Laboratory together with seven engineers. According to the company's official history, the first Kawai grand piano was produced in 1928, and in 1929 the name of the enterprise was changed to Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Company.

Koichi Kawai's goal was not just to manufacture pianos, but to create better mechanics and a more expressive musical instrument. Kawai's official business history states that his dream of “creating the world's best pianos” lives on in the company's subsequent design and research philosophy. In 1953, Koichi Kawai became the first person in the industry to receive the Blue Ribbon Medal.

Family leadership through generations

The Shigeru Kawai era

After the passing of Koichi Kawai, his son Shigeru Kawai was elected president in 1955. Shigeru Kawai expanded the company's production, strengthened its access to international markets, and led the phase of development that turned Kawai into one of the major manufacturers in the global piano industry.

Hirotaka and Kentaro Kawai

During subsequent generations, Kawai grew in the field of digital, hybrid, and professional stage instruments alongside acoustic pianos. The company's current president is Kentaro Kawai. Kawai is one of the few large piano companies preparing to celebrate its centenary in 2027 while still maintaining its ties to the founding family's leadership.

Key milestones in Kawai history

One of the world's leading piano brands

Calling Kawai “one of the world's best brands” is not just a sales slogan; the brand's professional concert instruments, participation in international competitions, acoustic mechanics research, and nearly a century of manufacturing experience form the foundation of this position. While “the best” depends on personal choice of tone and touch, Kawai is indisputably among the leading manufacturers in the global piano industry.

The Shigeru Kawai SK‑EX has been used as an official and choice instrument in various international piano competitions. According to Kawai, in 2024, the SK‑EX was chosen as the official piano for competitions such as the Gurwitz, Lev Vlassenko, and Malaga City; before this, it was one of the official choice instruments of the Chopin International Piano Competition.

Shigeru Kawai SK‑EX concert grand

Introduced in 2001, the SK‑EX is the flagship full concert grand of the Shigeru Kawai line. The instrument is crafted in limited numbers using selected materials and soundboards aged over a long period. The Millennium III mechanism combines extended wooden keys with ABS Carbon parts to create fast response and expression control.

The tonal characteristics of the SK‑EX have also become the core sound identity of Kawai digital pianos. Across the CA, CN, KDP, CX, ES, and DG families, depending on the model, the SK‑EX sound is presented via Harmonic Imaging or SK‑EX Rendering.

Kawai acoustic piano technologies

Millennium III mechanism

Kawai uses ABS Carbon composite parts alongside wood in its acoustic piano mechanisms. The goal is to reduce weight, increase the speed and stability of the mechanism, and maintain precision in the face of temperature and humidity changes. This material choice is not a total replacement for wood; it is an approach of using materials suitable for their function in every part.

Soundboard and hammers

In an acoustic piano, the soundboard is the primary resonance element that transmits string vibration to the room. Kawai differentiates its spruce selection, taper, and processing techniques according to series and model. The material of the hammers, string scale, duplex areas, and cabinet structure together influence the instrument's tone.

Why do Kawai digital pianos stand out?

In digital pianos, Kawai designs the sound, keyboard, and speaker system as three inseparable parts of the acoustic piano experience.

• Harmonic Imaging: Individual sampling of 88 keys and smooth transition of dynamic layers.
• SK‑EX Rendering: Combination of multi-channel sampling and resonance modeling.
• Responsive Hammer: Graded hammer, three sensors, let-off, and, depending on the model, counterweights.
• Grand Feel: Long wooden keys, central pivot, and action close to acoustic grand mechanics.
• Soundboard Speaker: System that vibrates the wooden soundboard as a large radiator surface.
• Virtual Technician: Adjustment of voicing, resonance, pedal, temperament, and other parameters.

Kawai's warm and soft sound character

Kawai digital pianos are distinguished by their particularly warm, soft, and singing grand tone. This character is formed by the SK‑EX source sound, the richness of the middle register, the treble remaining clear without becoming harsh, and the resonance being added naturally. In official information regarding the CA901 and CA701, the SK‑EX Concert Grand sound is characterized by a warm, sensitive tone and expansive attack with rich reverberation.

This tonal approach is particularly attractive for musicians who want a feeling close to an acoustic piano for classical, romantic, ballad, and long-term home practice. Yamaha and Roland are also high-level digital piano manufacturers; Kawai stands out by combining its acoustic piano heritage, wooden key mechanics, and warm SK‑EX sound into a unified system.

Kawai product families

Kawai and music education

Kawai does not only manufacture instruments; the company also has music schools and educational programs. The Kawai Music School was founded in 1956. In digital pianos, functions such as internal etudes, metronome, Four Hands mode, PianoRemote, and PiaBookPlayer complement the brand's educational direction.

Kawai in Azerbaijan: Royal official distributor

Royal Music Instruments is the official distributor of Kawai in Azerbaijan. Official distributorship creates the following advantages for the buyer:

• Kawai pianos imported through original and official channels;
• Model and technical information in accordance with manufacturer standards;
• Official warranty and after-sales service;
• Professional delivery and installation;
• Opportunity to compare digital, acoustic, and grand models live;
• Advice suitable for model, key mechanics, and room size.

Frequently asked questions

Which country's brand is Kawai?

Kawai is a Japanese brand. The company was founded in 1927 in Hamamatsu, Japan, and its headquarters are still in Hamamatsu today.

Who founded Kawai?

Kawai was founded by piano master and inventor Koichi Kawai together with seven engineers.

Is Kawai a good piano brand?

Why are Kawai digital pianos close to acoustic?

Due to the SK‑EX grand sound, 88-key sampling, Harmonic Imaging/SK‑EX Rendering, Grand Feel and Responsive Hammer mechanics, resonance modeling, and Soundboard Speaker system in premium models.

What is the Kawai sound like?

The Kawai sound is often described as warm, soft, sensitive, with a rich middle register, and close to a classical grand character.

Who is Kawai's official distributor in Azerbaijan?

Royal Music Instruments is the official distributor of Kawai in Azerbaijan.

Sources and further reading