Shigeru Kawai

About Shigeru Kawai

When a master craftsman produces his finest work, it is not unusual that he should name it after himself. After all, this is the culmination of all his efforts, that for which he hopes to be remembered. Shigeru Kawai was no exception.

Son of a master piano builder (and apprentice of Torakusu Yamaha) Koichi Kawai, Shigeru believed in his father’s principle of making every piece the best it could possibly be. After decades in pursuit of perfection, Shigeru Kawai produced his tour de force in 2000. Like the Ferrari sports car company around the same time, Kawai was so proud of what he had created that he decided to brand it with his full name. Shigeru Kawai products are the finest models Kawai have to offer, and if you’ve ever played a Kawai piano of any model you’ll realise just what a statement that is. The full range of Shigeru Kawai Grands are available from our showroom in Amersham.

Shigeru Kawai

If you love the tone of a finely crafted piano, be sure to find a Shigeru Kawai for sale before settling for any other model. The attention to detail in these instruments really is second to none, and the combination of traditional and cutting edge materials mean they offer performance which can surprise even the most seasoned player. Discerning enthusiasts have been so enticed by this model that it can sometimes be difficult to find a Shigeru Kawai piano for sale locally, so a trip to our showroom is a must.

A beautiful musical instrument is purchased with the heart, not the head, and when you hear the haunting sound of a Shigeru Kawai, price is irrelevant. In the case of a mature product like a piano, marginal improvements come only as a result of unstinting determination. For those who understand that, a Shigeru Kawai for sale represents a triumph of resolve, the pinnacle of an ancient and noble craft.

Shigeru Kawai passed away in 2006, leaving a legacy which will be treasured for generations. These pianos are his eulogy.

Piano Showroom

The Shigeru Kawai Collection

The Shigeru Kawai range is made up of 6 grand pianos. The SK2 through to the SK7, not forgetting the pinnacle of the collection – the SK-EX.

More than 3 decades of research, development and meticulous dedication to detail go into each and every piano produced as part of the Shigeru range, putting these pianos in a class of their own.

 

Kigarashi premium-aged soundboards

The kigarashi process involves allowing solid Ezo Spruce soundboards to season naturally – a laborious and time-consuming task – but the results are worth it. These soundboards offer a tonal quality unparalleled by any other instrument.

 

Shiko Seion hammers

These special hammers are made and voiced using a blend of New Zealand and Australian long-fibre wool. Hand-pressed and reinforced without the use of artificial hardeners to produce unrivalled dynamics and expression.

 

Temaki bass strings

‘Temaki’ translates to ‘hand rolled’ and it is this painstaking attention to detail – winding each base string individually by hand – that produces the tonal depth these pianos are famed for.

 

Dual-pivot damper pedal

These concert style pedals give players precision control and responsiveness.

 

Buy a Shigeru Kawai piano

Such a detailed production process means Shigeru pianos are only produced in minimal numbers – adding to their exclusivity.

Don’t miss out! Here at Richard Lawson Pianos, we are delighted to be able to offer Shigeru Kawai pianos for sale.

Shop the collection above or to experience the splendour in person, why not make an appointment to visit our showroom?

FAQ's

The name Kawai is synonymous with quality, but you won’t be the first person to question the difference between ‘Shigeru Kawai’ and simply ‘Kawai’.

Principally, Kawai is a family name, stemming from the original master piano maker, Koichi Kawai.

All pianos crafted by this now world-renowned brand carry the Kawai name as a proud hallmark of quality. However, it is only the elite grand pianos that also bear the title of ‘Shigeru’.

When Koichi sadly passed in 1955, his son, Shigeru (hence the name), continued in the pursuit of musical perfection, which gave rise to the Shigeru Kawai piano collection.

 

Yes!

There’s so much that could be said about the Shigeru Kawai Pianos that to simply describe them as ‘good’ seems woefully inaccurate.

This is an instrument born from an intense desire to achieve perfection – and exceed it. And we firmly believe it does just that.

With a Shigeru Kawai, you can expect no less than the absolute best. Intelligent design, unrivalled craftsmanship, precision, and mesmerising sound combine to create a piano that captures the heart of everyone fortunate enough to hear one being played.

The Shigeru range is made up of 6 grand pianos, each one more exquisite than the next and culminating in the crème de la crème of instruments – the SK-EX concert grand.

To discover more about what makes every piano in Shigeru Kawai range so special, why not make an appointment to visit our showrooms and experience the magic for yourself?

This is an elite breed of instrument. As a labour of love, the skill and dedication involved in each and every one means that they are produced in limited numbers.

Fewer than 100 Shigeru Kawai pianos are crafted each year, and less than 20 of those are the exclusive SK-EX concert grand! Spread that production number around the globe and it’s easy to see why getting hold of one of these pianos can be difficult!

At Richard Lawson Pianos, we are proud to be one of few retailers to offer Shigeru Kawai pianos – we’re even lucky enough to currently have the SK-EX in stock!

These are pianos in high demand. Why not shop the range now, or get in touch with a member of the team to talk in more detail?

The collection opens with the SK-2 grand piano which starts from £30,995. The pinnacle of the collection – and jewel in the crown – is the stunning Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand. A musical masterpiece, this piano retails at £133,395.

Whether at the top or bottom of the range, it’s reassuring to know that with Richard Lawson you can be confident of fair and competitive pricing – always.

More than you want to pay? We pride ourselves on offering pianos for every player and every budget. Take a look at our extensive collection or speak to a member of the team for help finding a piano to suit your needs.

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Most Recent Reviews

Richard Lawson Pianos Ltd - Showroom IconRichard Lawson Pianos Ltd - Showroom

Unit 12, Commercial Park, Raans Road, Amersham

4.9 235 reviews

  • roger ye ★★★★★ 4 weeks ago
    Excellent service and always 5 stars
  • Natasha Gedeon ★★★★★ a month ago
    Richard Lawson's service was wonderful throughout the process. Colin was super responsive and helpful, even on the weekend, resulting in my delivery of a Yamaha with brand-new silent system in a week. Delivery was also very efficient … More despite stairs and narrow corridors.
  • Robert Dyson ★★★★★ a month ago
    I wanted a Yamaha C6. I saw one on eBay. I worried about its state as an eBay item but found it was being sold by Richard Lawson Pianos, it was also on their website with many other pianos. I checked as many reviews as I could find about … More this company and found them hugely positive. That gave me the confidence I needed to make contact by email. Richard responded promptly. A visit to the showroom would have been difficult for me at this time and after a few emails between us I accepted Richard’s assurance that the piano was excellent. I decided to buy the C6. It was delivered by a team of three people who were clearly experienced in moving pianos as it had to come a circuitous route into the house; another happy experience as they were also good people to deal with. Richard spoke truly – it is an excellent Yamaha C6. A good piano is an expensive purchase. If you want value for money and a pain free experience, choose Richard Lawson Pianos.
  • Leica Dan ★★★★★ a month ago
  • Sebastian Enhamre ★★★★★ 2 months ago
    Wonderful service from Richard. Great, personal, fast and effective in comminication. Good knowledge and a very pleasant overall experience. I recommend this dealer to everyone interested in high quality instruments and service! Thank you. … More
  • Mark Jackson ★★★★★ a year ago
    I have been looking to upgrade my upright to a grand for sometime and as soon as I arrived at Richard's showroom, I was met with a warm and friendly greeting and nothing has been to much trouble, I explained what I was looking for, … More the room and ideally my budget. Richard provided a wide range of choice and didn't just direct me to the top of my budget but showed lots of options, providing impartial advice without the sales pressure.I purchased an SK3 from Richard which was delivered today, the service and approach is faultless and the piano is stunning !. Whatever, piano you're looking for my best advice is talk to Richard and pay him a visit - highly recommended
  • Rick Fish ★★★★★ a year ago
    We used Richard 12 years ago to find our Yamaha UX3 upright. After moving property we wanted to upgrade to a Grand Piano. Richard helped us find the perfect fit and we are very happy with the result. He took back our original piano that … More had appreciated in value! Highly recommend.
  • Edmond Williams ★★★★★ a year ago
    I recently bought a stunning reconditioned Yamaha piano from Richard Lawson Pianos. I would like to thank Colin for his expert help through the whole process of purchasing the piano: from choosing the right piano, arranging finance, adding … More a 'silent system' through to the final delivery. Highly recommended for the impressive variety of pianos on offer and the very professional service.
  • Miss A Finlay ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    I was very impressed with the service at Richard Lawson Pianos Ltd. I ordered my piano it had to come from abroad Richard kept me updated on the progress of the order and it actually arrived ahead of schedule. Delivery was efficient and … More it is perfect in the home. I would recommend. Many thanks to Richard Lawson Pianos.
  • Lasantha W ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    Highly recommend Richard Lawson Pianos!!!We bought a Yamaha YUS upright piano (refurbished by Yamaha) from Richard Lawsons and really pleased.Both Richard and Colin were very helpful and beyond our expectations. They were professionals … More and explained everything, answered our questions patiently. They didn’t rush us to take a decision and let us try out few pianos until we were happy.Colin offered his professional recommendation and helped us to decide on the purchase. Colins’s recommendations was reconfirmed by the piano technician we hired and you can completely rely on Colin and Richard’s advice.I would highly recommend Richard Lawson Piano!!
  • sowmya pothu ★★★★★ 7 months ago
    I highly recommend Richard Lawsin Pianos. We bought Kawai upright piano and the service was great from viewing until delivery. My daughter is very excited and looking forward to start practicing and playing on new piano.
  • Veronika Kallo ★★★★★ 8 months ago
    Thank you Richard for providing your expertise and patience! Loved the space to play and the diverse stock of pianos! And of course the piano which is now in our lives!
  • Various Artists ★★★★★ 8 months ago
    Perfect thanks
  • Ivan Tang ★★★★★ 9 months ago
    Richard spent a lot of time helping me pick out the right piano for me. All I needed to do was tell him my exact specification for what I was looking for, and he quickly came up with a shortlist of possible pianos. He also replied to emails … More promptly. He didn't rush me, and allowed me to come and visit multiple times to try out different pianos as they came into the showroom. The showroom is also very nice (the only criticism is that it is slightly difficult to find), with a huge range of pianos. The delivery crew were also efficient and accommodating. I don't foresee changing pianos for a long time, but I would go back to Richard Lawson, and recommend to any friend.
  • Suzanne Webber ★★★★★ 9 months ago
    I have been aware of Shigeru Kawai pianos since Florian Mitrea told me about them two years ago. I took the opportunity to hear Ashley Fripp play one at Richard Lawson’s piano studio last November. It was wonderful. I hesitated about … More buying one because I thought we did not have room for one. I visited RL again on 28th February and chose an SK2. It was delivered on 6 March. The two men were extremely prompt and efficient. We were so impressed. The piano is magnificent with such a beautiful sound and action and a joy to play. My one regret is that I waited so long.

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      Richard Lawson Pianos Ltd - Showroom

      Unit 12, Commercial Park, Raans Road, Amersham

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