Restoration Project Completed for "Early Grand Piano Manufactured by Nippon Gakki Seizo Co., Ltd.", a Minato City Designated Cultural Property Featuring Black Lacquer and Maki-e, Exhibited Over 120 Years Ago

Yamaha Corporation (hereinafter, "the Company") has completed the restoration of the "Early Grand Piano Manufactured by Nippon Gakki Seizo Co., Ltd.", designated as a tangible cultural property and historical material by Minato City, Tokyo. This project was commissioned by Minato City and carried out in collaboration with the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Conservation Science, Conservation and Restoration Craft Laboratory at Tokyo University of the Arts (hereinafter, "Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School"). The restoration, which spanned approximately two years, has now been completed, and the piano will be re-exhibited at the Minato City Local History Museum (location: 4-6-2 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo) starting May 1, 2026.

The piano on display at the 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 It is considered a valuable historical document that conveys a chapter in Japan's piano industry history to the present day, as well as a precious cultural property for understanding the history of Minato City.

This piano offers a glimpse into the techniques of its time, including painting, woodworking, casting, and metalworking, which are not seen in modern pianos. This restoration was carefully carried out in consultation and cooperation with stakeholders, based on the principle of "conservation restoration" for cultural properties, to ensure that this valuable information is not lost.

The Company aims to contribute to the inheritance of cultural heritage by maintaining and protecting the value of historical musical instruments through their preservation and restoration, and to deepen understanding in a wide range of fields beyond the musical instrument industry, passing it on to future generations.

About the restored grand piano

The grand piano that underwent restoration was previously used at the former Minato City Hikawa Elementary School. After the school's closure, it was stored at the site before being transferred to the Minato City Local History Museum. Investigations were prompted by new facts, such as the distinctive exterior, including maki-e lacquerware on the side panels, closely resembling photographs published in "The Fifth National Industrial Exhibition Commemorative Photo Album" (1903, Meiji 36) and "The Current State of Nippon Gakki Seizo 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 Seizo Co., Ltd. (now Yamaha Corporation), it measures 145cm in width, 185cm in depth, and 98cm in height (with the lid closed), has 85 keys, and is of standard size. The entire piano is finished in black lacquer (kuro-urushi-nuri), with traditional Japanese techniques such as gold hiramaki-e (flat maki-e) auspicious patterns on the side panels and chrysanthemum arabesque patterns on the metal frame, featuring rich ornamentation including a curved music stand and legs. When the former Hikawa Elementary School building was rebuilt in 1930 (Showa 5), it was donated by the Kujo family, located opposite the school, as 'the Empress Dowager's piano.' The Kujo family was the maternal home of Sadako Kujo, who became Empress Teimei, Empress of Emperor Taisho. The frame bears the 'YAMAHA PIANO Co.' logo, 'Yamaha Co.,' is written in cursive on the underside of the keyboard lid, and the soundboard is engraved with the manufacturing number '1522.' The company completed its first grand piano in 1902 (Meiji 35), and thereafter exhibited grand pianos adorned with lacquer maki-e and nashiji cloisonné at domestic and international expositions, supplying them to government agencies such as the Imperial Household Ministry 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 (Meiji 36), then purchased by Empress Dowager Shoken, and subsequently presented to Empress Teimei.

It is considered one of the earliest domestically produced grand pianos with a connection to expositions and the Imperial family, and the ornamentation seen on the side panels and frame is believed to be unique among existing examples. 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 restoration

The restoration was carried out in collaboration between Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School and the Company, with the highest priority placed on maintaining and conveying the original condition of the mechanisms and parts as much as possible at the time of manufacture. Although there were signs of past repairs on the piano, it was decided not to perform repairs that would require replacing parts to make it capable of producing sound or being played. The method suitable for cultural property restoration was used under the guidance of the Graduate School, utilizing original parts and materials as much as possible and using natural adhesives. The cleaning of the lacquered exterior, treatment of maki-e, and repair of wood chips were performed 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 missing keys and wood parts.

Auspicous patterns drawn in gold hiramaki-e on the side panels. Vivid chrysanthemum arabesque patterns on the metal frame.

An elegant music stand with impressive patterns. Keys with repaired missing parts.

Restoration progress

April 2024

The Company was commissioned by Minato City.

July 2024

Moved from Minato City Local History Museum, restoration 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.