Shigeru Kawai

Shigeru Kawai

Also known as: Shigeru Kawai Pianos, Shigeru Kawai Piano Company, SK

Unclaimed

Shigeru Kawai is the premium grand piano line of Japanese maker Kawai Musical Instruments, headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan. The line was introduced in 2000 to honor Shigeru Kawai (1922–), son of company founder Koichi Kawai, who took over the firm in 1955 and spent decades pushing it toward the upper tier of concert-grade piano building. The instruments are handcrafted at a dedicated facility...

more

Shigeru Kawai is the premium grand piano line of Japanese maker Kawai Musical Instruments, headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan. The line was introduced in 2000 to honor Shigeru Kawai (1922–), son of company founder Koichi Kawai, who took over the firm in 1955 and spent decades pushing it toward the upper tier of concert-grade piano building. The instruments are handcrafted at a dedicated facility within the Ryuyo Grand Piano Factory by a small group of senior artisans known as Master Piano Artisans (MPAs).

The range consists of six grand piano models: the SK-2 (5'11" salon grand), SK-3, SK-5, SK-6, SK-7, and the SK-EX full concert grand. The SK-EX, introduced in 2001, was selected as the official piano of the 2002 International Tchaikovsky Competition and has since been used at the International Chopin Piano Competition and other major events. Shigeru Kawai instruments are known for their Millennium III action with carbon-fiber components, Ezo spruce soundboards, and individualized voicing that distinguishes them from the standard Kawai grand line.

The brand sits at the high end of the global concert piano market alongside Steinway, Bösendorfer, and Fazioli, and is a frequent choice on the international competition circuit. Kawai also runs the Shigeru Kawai International Piano Competition (SKIPC), which showcases pianists performing on the SK-EX.

Shigeru Kawai has 2 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Grand Pianos. Their gear is featured by 5 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Funk / Soul, and Pop. Notable users include Rick Beato, Nick Cave, and Isaac Hayes.

Artists Who Use Shigeru Kawai

Rick Beato uses 1 Shigeru Kawai product

Rick Beato

Guitarist, Bassist

Nick Cave uses 1 Shigeru Kawai product

Nick Cave

Singer, Keyboardist · Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Isaac Hayes uses 1 Shigeru Kawai product

Isaac Hayes

Singer, Keyboardist · The Louisiana Gator Boys

Derek Sanders uses 1 Shigeru Kawai product

Derek Sanders

Singer, Guitarist · Mayday Parade

Alejandro Aranda (Scarypoolparty) uses 1 Shigeru Kawai product

Alejandro Aranda (Scarypoolparty)

Singer, Guitarist

Are you on the Shigeru Kawai team?

  • Be the first to know when an artist is spotted using Shigeru Kawai gear
  • Curate the Shigeru Kawai catalog, images, and product details
  • Respond to community photos and reviews of Shigeru Kawai gear
  • See how Shigeru Kawai gear is trending on Equipboard