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FREE PIANO IDENTIFICATION & SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL

What Year Was My Shigeru Kawai Piano Made? (Serial Number Lookup + Guide)

DIRECT ANSWER

Shigeru Kawai pianos can be dated with complete accuracy using their dedicated serial number sequence. Launched as the elite, limited-edition flagship line of the Kawai Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company, these premium grand pianos are tracked meticulously from their specialized workshop in Ryuyo, Japan.

Accuracy depends on:

The Baseline Sequence: Shigeru Kawai grand pianos generally share the main, continuous premium Kawai grand piano numbering system, but their production dates map to specific, low-volume annual ranges.
Verification: Ensuring the number is read directly from the cast-iron plate inside the rim.

HOW SHIGERU KAWAI SERIAL NUMBERS WORK

Shigeru Kawai instruments utilize a straightforward, chronological numerical tracking system. Because these instruments are hand-built in limited numbers by Master Piano Artisans, the progression of numbers remains orderly and highly predictable.

The Numeric Progression: The serial number consists of a clean, running sequence of digits tracking production from the line’s debut at the turn of the 21st century to the present day.
Input Requirement: The lookup tool is designed to process only the numbers. Even if there is a factory model letter or character prefix stamped near the code on the frame, it is skipped during the search.

HOW TO FIND YOUR SHIGERU KAWAI SERIAL NUMBER

GRAND PIANOS

Open the main grand piano lid and safely secure it with the longer prop stick.
Slide the wooden music desk smoothly forward and completely off its guide rails to expose the belly of the piano.
Look directly at the gold-painted cast-iron plate on the right-hand side (treble side) near the tuning pins.
The serial number is stamped in clean, dark digits directly onto the gold metal surface, typically located next to the Shigeru Kawai logo and the specific model designation (such as SK-2, SK-3, or SK-5).

SHIGERU KAWAI PIANO SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL

STEP 1: SELECT THE MANUFACTURER

SHIGERU KAWAI SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL

Determine the build date of your premium grand piano using our master database.

Choose “Shigeru Kawai” from the dropdown menu.

Manufacturer

STEP 2: ENTER YOUR SERIAL NUMBER

Serial Number

STEP 3: THE RESULT

NOW THAT YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR PIANO WAS BORN, LET'S MAKE IT PLAY AND SOUND LIKE IT WAS YOUNG AGAIN.

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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A SHIGERU KAWAI LOOKUP

A factual serial search will deliver:

The exact calendar year the individual instrument was completed and certified at the Ryuyo facility.
Its place within the modern lineage of Japan’s premier artisanal piano workshop.

It will not deliver:

The specific name or signature of the Master Piano Artisan (MPA) assigned to the instrument’s final voicing and regulation.
Individual climate and maintenance records from its original delivery destination.

COMMON IDENTIFICATION MISTAKES

Including Model Prefixes: Shigeru Kawai instruments always display their model number (e.g., “SK-EX”, “SK-7”, “SK-6”) right alongside the serial number. Do not type the “SK” letters or model numbers into the search box. Enter the independent serial digits only.
Confusing with Standard Kawai Models: While built under the overarching Kawai umbrella, Shigeru Kawai pianos are entirely distinct hand-built instruments. Ensure the piano plate explicitly bears the full “Shigeru Kawai” insignia rather than the standard “Kawai” brand mark before using this specific lookup.

SHIGERU KAWAI PIANO HISTORY

Introduced in 2000, the Shigeru Kawai line was created by Shigeru Kawai, the second president of the company and son of founder Koichi Kawai. The goal was simple: to create an uncompromising, world-class concert grand piano utilizing the absolute finest materials and old-world hand-craftsmanship available to the company.

Key historical facts include:

The Ryuyo Workshop: Shigeru Kawai pianos are not built on the standard factory assembly lines. Instead, they are crafted within a specialized, climate-controlled sanctuary at the Ryuyo grand piano factory in Shizuoka, Japan, where wood is naturally seasoned for years.
The MPA Technical Standard: Every single Shigeru Kawai piano is individually regulated, tensioned, and voiced by an elite group of technicians known as Master Piano Artisans (MPAs). These specialized technicians travel worldwide to provide initial in-home servicing for every new Shigeru owner.
Material Innovations: Shigeru Kawai pianos are celebrated for integrating elite natural components, such as rare Ezo spruce soundboards sourced from Hokkaido, alongside cutting-edge mechanical advancements like the specialized carbon-fiber Millennium III action, providing unparalleled tuning and structural stability.

Shigeru Kawai