Repair Project Completed for "Early Grand Piano Made by Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd.", a Minato City Designated Cultural Property Exhibited Over 120 Years Ago, Featuring Black Lacquer and Maki-e
Yamaha Corporation, in collaboration with Tokyo University of the Arts, has completed the repair project for the "Early Grand Piano Made by Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd.", a Minato City Designated Cultural Property over 120 years old, with its exhibition resuming at the Minato City Local History Museum from May 1, 2026.
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Yamaha Corporation (hereinafter, "the Company") undertook the repair of the "Early Grand Piano Made by Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd.", designated as a tangible cultural property and historical material by Minato City, Tokyo, commissioned by Minato City and in collaboration with the Conservation and Restoration of Crafts Laboratory, Department of Conservation Science, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts (hereinafter, "Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School"). The repair, which lasted approximately two years, has now been completed, and its exhibition at the Minato City Local History Museum (location: 4-6-2 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo) will resume from May 1, 2026.
This grand piano was registered as a tangible cultural property of Minato City in January 2002 and designated as such in October 2022. It is a valuable historical document that conveys a chapter in the history of Japan's piano industry to the present day, and also a precious cultural property for understanding the history of Minato City.
This piano offers a glimpse into the techniques of the time, such as painting, woodworking, casting, and metalworking, which are not seen in modern pianos. This repair was carefully carried out in consultation and cooperation with stakeholders, based on the principle of "conservation and restoration in its current state," which is the guiding principle for cultural property repair, so as not to lose this valuable information.
The Company aims to maintain and protect the value of historical musical instruments through their preservation and repair, contributing to the inheritance of cultural heritage, while also deepening its understanding of a wide range of fields beyond the musical instrument industry and passing it on to future generations.
About the repaired grand piano
The grand piano repaired this time was used at the former Minato City Hikawa Elementary School. After the school's abolition, it was stored at the Minato City Local History Museum after being kept at the former school site. Investigations progressed following the discovery of new facts, such as the distinctive exterior features like the maki-e on the side panels closely resembling photographs published in "The Fifth National Industrial Exhibition Commemorative Photo Album" (1903, Meiji 36) and "Current Status of Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd." (1929, Showa 4). As a result, following a recommendation from the Minato City Cultural Property Protection Council, it was designated as a tangible cultural property of the ward in October 2022. The following is the description at the time of designation:
"Manufactured by Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd. (now Yamaha Corporation), it measures 145cm wide, 185cm deep, and 98cm high (with the lid closed), with 85 keys, a standard size. The entire piano is finished in black lacquer (kuro-urushi-nuri), with traditional Japanese techniques such as gold hiramaki-e depicting Yusoku patterns on the side panels and chrysanthemum arabesque patterns on the metal frame, featuring rich ornamentation including curved music stands and legs. The former Hikawa Elementary School received it as a donation from the Kujo family, located across the street from the school, as 'the Empress Dowager's piano' when the school building was rebuilt in 1930 (Showa 5). The Kujo family was the maternal home of Empress Teimei, who became Empress to Emperor Taisho. The frame bears the 'YAMAHA PIANO Co.' logo, 'Yamaha Co.,' is written in cursive on the back of the key cover, and the manufacturing number '1522' is engraved on the soundboard. The company completed its first grand piano in 1902 (Meiji 35), and thereafter exhibited grand pianos adorned with lacquer and maki-e or nashiji-shippo at domestic and international exhibitions, supplying them to government agencies such as the Imperial Household Agency and the Ministry of Education. Records from the Imperial Household Agency and the manufacturing number confirm that this piano was exhibited at the 5th National Industrial Exhibition in 1903, then purchased by Empress Dowager Shoken, and subsequently presented to Empress Teimei.
It is considered one of the earliest domestically produced grand pianos with connections to exhibitions and the Imperial Family, and the ornamentation seen on the side panels and frame is believed to be unique. It is a valuable historical document that conveys a chapter in Japan's piano industry history to the present day, and also a precious cultural property for understanding the history of Minato City, having been used for a long time at the former Hikawa Elementary School." (Partially revised)
Overview of the repair
Under the policy of prioritizing the preservation and transmission of the original mechanisms and parts in their state at the time of manufacture as much as possible, Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School and the Company collaborated on the repair. Although there were signs of past repairs on the piano, it was decided not to perform repairs aimed at making it playable or requiring part replacement. Original parts and materials were used as much as possible, and natural adhesives were employed, following the guidance of the Graduate School and using methods suitable for cultural property repair. The cleaning of the lacquered exterior and treatment of the maki-e, as well as the repair of wood chips, were carried out by Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School, while the Company handled the cleaning of the soundboard, strings, metal frame, and action, as well as the repair of some keys and missing wood parts.
Side panel with Yusoku pattern drawn in gold hiramaki-e, and a metal frame with vibrant chrysanthemum arabesque patterns.
Elegant music stand with impressive patterns, and keys with repaired missing parts.
Repair progress
April 2024
The Company was commissioned by Minato City.
July 2024
Moved from Minato City Local History Museum, repair work began at the Company's Kakegawa Factory and Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School.
March 2025
Work completed at the Company's Kakegawa Factory, Minato City Local History Museum.
This grand piano was registered as a tangible cultural property of Minato City in January 2002 and designated as such in October 2022. It is a valuable historical document that conveys a chapter in the history of Japan's piano industry to the present day, and also a precious cultural property for understanding the history of Minato City.
This piano offers a glimpse into the techniques of the time, such as painting, woodworking, casting, and metalworking, which are not seen in modern pianos. This repair was carefully carried out in consultation and cooperation with stakeholders, based on the principle of "conservation and restoration in its current state," which is the guiding principle for cultural property repair, so as not to lose this valuable information.
The Company aims to maintain and protect the value of historical musical instruments through their preservation and repair, contributing to the inheritance of cultural heritage, while also deepening its understanding of a wide range of fields beyond the musical instrument industry and passing it on to future generations.
About the repaired grand piano
The grand piano repaired this time was used at the former Minato City Hikawa Elementary School. After the school's abolition, it was stored at the Minato City Local History Museum after being kept at the former school site. Investigations progressed following the discovery of new facts, such as the distinctive exterior features like the maki-e on the side panels closely resembling photographs published in "The Fifth National Industrial Exhibition Commemorative Photo Album" (1903, Meiji 36) and "Current Status of Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd." (1929, Showa 4). As a result, following a recommendation from the Minato City Cultural Property Protection Council, it was designated as a tangible cultural property of the ward in October 2022. The following is the description at the time of designation:
"Manufactured by Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd. (now Yamaha Corporation), it measures 145cm wide, 185cm deep, and 98cm high (with the lid closed), with 85 keys, a standard size. The entire piano is finished in black lacquer (kuro-urushi-nuri), with traditional Japanese techniques such as gold hiramaki-e depicting Yusoku patterns on the side panels and chrysanthemum arabesque patterns on the metal frame, featuring rich ornamentation including curved music stands and legs. The former Hikawa Elementary School received it as a donation from the Kujo family, located across the street from the school, as 'the Empress Dowager's piano' when the school building was rebuilt in 1930 (Showa 5). The Kujo family was the maternal home of Empress Teimei, who became Empress to Emperor Taisho. The frame bears the 'YAMAHA PIANO Co.' logo, 'Yamaha Co.,' is written in cursive on the back of the key cover, and the manufacturing number '1522' is engraved on the soundboard. The company completed its first grand piano in 1902 (Meiji 35), and thereafter exhibited grand pianos adorned with lacquer and maki-e or nashiji-shippo at domestic and international exhibitions, supplying them to government agencies such as the Imperial Household Agency and the Ministry of Education. Records from the Imperial Household Agency and the manufacturing number confirm that this piano was exhibited at the 5th National Industrial Exhibition in 1903, then purchased by Empress Dowager Shoken, and subsequently presented to Empress Teimei.
It is considered one of the earliest domestically produced grand pianos with connections to exhibitions and the Imperial Family, and the ornamentation seen on the side panels and frame is believed to be unique. It is a valuable historical document that conveys a chapter in Japan's piano industry history to the present day, and also a precious cultural property for understanding the history of Minato City, having been used for a long time at the former Hikawa Elementary School." (Partially revised)
Overview of the repair
Under the policy of prioritizing the preservation and transmission of the original mechanisms and parts in their state at the time of manufacture as much as possible, Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School and the Company collaborated on the repair. Although there were signs of past repairs on the piano, it was decided not to perform repairs aimed at making it playable or requiring part replacement. Original parts and materials were used as much as possible, and natural adhesives were employed, following the guidance of the Graduate School and using methods suitable for cultural property repair. The cleaning of the lacquered exterior and treatment of the maki-e, as well as the repair of wood chips, were carried out by Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School, while the Company handled the cleaning of the soundboard, strings, metal frame, and action, as well as the repair of some keys and missing wood parts.
Side panel with Yusoku pattern drawn in gold hiramaki-e, and a metal frame with vibrant chrysanthemum arabesque patterns.
Elegant music stand with impressive patterns, and keys with repaired missing parts.
Repair progress
April 2024
The Company was commissioned by Minato City.
July 2024
Moved from Minato City Local History Museum, repair work began at the Company's Kakegawa Factory and Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School.
March 2025
Work completed at the Company's Kakegawa Factory, Minato City Local History Museum.