Store Hours: Mon – Sat 10AM-6PM • Sunday 1PM-5PM
1600 W. 13th St • Houston, TX 77008
Kawai was founded in 1927 by Koichi Kawai, and has grown to become one the largest and best known musical instrument companies in the world. Kawai America Corporation and Kawai Canada
Faithful to the characteristics of wood, some of the finest hand-work goes into the making of these pianos, which combined with the finest technology allows the company to adhere to the tenets of its founder, Koichi Kawai.
Original Piano Maker(s)
Koichi Kawai (1886-1955)
Date Established
1927
Original Location(s)
Hamamatsu, Japan
Notable Dates
1897 — Torakusu Yamaha “discovered” Kawai at the age of 11 and hired him to work for his company.
1928 — Kawai began manufacturing grand pianos.
1930s — Kawai produced reed organs.
1953 — Kawai awarded Blue Ribbon Medal of Honor from the emperor.
1955 — Kawai passed away and was succeeded by his adopted son, Shigeru Kawai (1922-2006).
1960 — Kawai introduced its electronic organ.
1985 — Kawai introduced its digital piano.
1989 — Hirotaka Kawai succeeded his father and became the third president of Kawai.
1991 — Kawai & Steinway joined forces to create Boston Pianos.
2002 — Kawai introduced Shigeru Kawai EX Concert Grand.
Innovation(s) / Patent(s)
Current Owner
Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has the following subsidiaries: Kawai America Corporation, Midi Music Center Inc., Kawai Canada Music, Kawai Europa GmbH, Kawai UK, Kawai Piano (Russia) LLC, Kawai Australia Pty.Ltd., Kawai Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., PT. Kawai Music Indonesia, and PT. Kawai Music School Indonesia.
Its pianos are manufactured in four factories: Ryuyo Acoustic Piano Facility, PT. Kawai Indonesia, Kawai Musical Instruments (Ningbo) Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Kawai Emi Co., Ltd.