History

Our company history

19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition: Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano selected by 3rd prize winner and 5th prize winners

Posted on 21. October 2025 |

Held every five years, the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions, attracting prominent pianists from all four corners of the globe. In the 19th edition, a record number of over 640 young artists from the farthest corners of the world applied to participate. 162 people took part in the preliminary rounds, while 84 performers from 19 countries competed in the main competition.

98^th Anniversay of Kawai Pianos: Interview with 4^th President, Kentaro Kawai

Posted on 9. August 2025 |

As Kawai celebrates its 98th anniversary, President Kentaro Kawai reflects on the past and shares his vision for the future.

He speaks on the newly established philosophy, brand message, and the path toward our 100th year.

New ‘St. Pancras Piano’ Continues Musical Legacy of St. Pancras International

Posted on 16. July 2025 |

St. Pancras International unveils an exciting new addition to its cherished musical heritage: the “St. Pancras Piano”. Introduced in collaboration with renowned piano manufacturer, Kawai, the K-500 upright piano now takes pride of place in the heart of the station’s main Arcade – offering performers of all abilities a platform for self-expression and adding to the station’s rich and vibrant cultural atmosphere.

An extraordinary place requires an extraordinary piano.

Posted on 30. April 2024 |

To support the plethora of cultural events held at ‘the social hub of Oxford’, The Oxford Union, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious debating societies, has partnered with Shigeru Kawai to become its official Piano Partner and accompany the wide variety of musical activities on offer within The Union.

A visit to the Royal College of Music, London

Posted on 21. July 2022 |

Prize-winning international pianist, Eri Yamamoto, visited London’s Royal College of Music this week for a 3-day recording session on the Shigeru Kawai SK-6 piano currently at home in the college’s Performance Studio.

If Music Shops be the Food of Love, Buy On!

Posted on 14. July 2020 |

I well recall the thrill of my very first music shop experience. The sign above the window said ‘Maurice Plaquet’ with the ‘M’ written as a triplet and the ‘P’ as a single down-stem quaver, and it was located on the Uxbridge Road in Shepherds Bush, London, just around the corner from my father’s church.

90 years of Kawai – a success story

Posted on 22. April 2020 |

The eternal pursuit of absolute perfection of sound and quality has brought the company to where it is today. And at the same time, we can also look forward to seeing what Kawai has to offer in terms of innovations and improvements for the future.