Fresher was a Japanese guitar brand introduced in 1973 by Kyowa Shokai (Kyowa Company, Ltd.) of Nagoya, a region historically central to Japanese guitar manufacturing. The instruments were built by members of the Matsumoto Musical Instrument Manufacturers' Association — a consortium of Matsumoto-area suppliers that did not include the more famous Fujigen Gakki or Matsumoku. Production was aimed primarily at the Japanese domestic market, with limited export to the United Kingdom and no formal distribution in the United States.

The range consisted largely of Gibson and Fender copies — Les Paul, Stratocaster and Telecaster style solidbodies, along with basses — competing in the so-called "lawsuit era" alongside Greco, Tokai, Guyatone, Fernandes and Ibanez. Earlier Fresher models were considered budget-tier instruments, but build quality improved markedly toward the end of the 1970s, particularly after Kyowa shifted some production around 1980 to Chushin Gakki, the Matsumoto factory that later became Charvel and Jackson's longtime Japanese contractor. One of the more unusual offerings from this period was the Fresher Straighter (FS-1007), a solidbody with built-in onboard effects.

Fresher used four distinct logo styles across its run, and the brand was discontinued when Kyowa stopped production in 1985. Sister brands under the same parent included Gallan and Argus. Surviving instruments — especially the late-period Chushin-built Les Paul and Stratocaster copies — have developed a following among collectors of vintage Japanese guitars.

Fresher has 4 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars and Electric Basses. Their gear is featured by 3 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Blues, and Funk / Soul. Notable users include Kawabata Makoto, Jimmy Nolen, and Hisashi Imai.