KURASHIKI, Okayama Prefecture--An antique grand piano commemorating the birth of Emperor Emeritus Akihito nearly a century ago has been given new life and restored to its former splendor, following a collaborative effort.

The musical instrument, on display at the history and folklore museum in Kurashiki, is among only 24 pianos produced in 1934 in remembrance of Akihito’s arrival into the world as the crown prince.

The Kawai piano in the city is thought to be the only one still in existence. It was utilized at the municipality-run Kurashiki kindergarten for nearly 60 years and then exhibited at the city’s history and folklore museum.

The special model was recently restored to its original condition by the maker. It is expected to resonate once again with audiences, as the regional historic asset has long witnessed the growth of local children.

BUILT ALMOST A CENTURY AGO

Designed by Koichi Kawai (1886-1955), the founder of Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co. in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, the grand piano goes by the name of S.Miki.

Seeing that the renowned genius engineer had no sales channels of his own, Mikigakki Co., reportedly Japan's oldest musical instrument store operator in Osaka, proposed to make Kawai’s idea a commercial reality.

The piano was released in bygone times for 1,500 yen in memory of Crown Prince Akihito’s birth in 1933.

The surface of the piano was coated with lacquer, while the white and black keys were made of ivory and high-quality ebony, respectively. The special model reportedly can no longer be reproduced nowadays.

One of the 24 manufactured units was delivered to the imperial family. That piano is said to have been used at the royal Kuretakeryo residence inhabited by Akihito’s elder sister, Atsuko Ikeda, in bygone days.

USED IN SCHOOL FOR 57 YEARS

Kurashiki city purchased one of the commemorative units, utilizing donations from the parents of children enrolled in the Kurashiki kindergarten. It was used at the school for 57 years between 1934 and 1991.

The piano was transferred to the history and folklore museum, when the exhibition facility was set up in the dismantled and relocated playroom of the former kindergarten building. It was reportedly displayed among other showpieces, with no dedicated care provided.

Masako Yokota, 65, a former principal of the Kurashiki kindergarten, remembers the joy of playing the piano with students during her first visit to the museum. She encountered the instrument when she was assigned to the school as an educator in 2005.

Yokota recalled that the piano produced an old-fashioned yet touching sound, though “the keys were out of tune and did not move smoothly.” Melodies from it blended elegantly with the children’s singing voice, striking a deep chord.

In recent years, the museum saw fewer visitors. The piano seldom had a chance to be played.

Yokota grew increasingly concerned about the piano’s condition and deterioration following her retirement. She therefore asked Mikigakki to examine it closely this past spring, aiming to determine whether it “can still be repaired.”

To her amazement, not only Mikigakki but also Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing readily agreed to refurbish it free of charge. They pointed to the “cultural and historical value of the extremely rare grand piano dating to the early Showa Era (1926-1989)” in particular.

The specialized piano was transported to Kawai’s workshop in July. Hirohiko Miura, a piano coordinator involved in repairing the instrument at Kawai, was stunned by the exceptional craftsmanship that went into constructing the age-old artifact.

“It was hard for me to believe that a piano of this caliber could have been made with the manufacturing techniques of the time, despite some detected deterioration,” remarked Miura.

Opening the lid revealed extensive rust inside the piano, but only the strings and tuning pins needed replacement. Most of the components, such as the soundboard fashioned from Yezo spruce in Hokkaido, were simply polished to regain their initial capabilities.

EMBODIES HISTORY OF MUSIC INDUSTRY

On Nov. 5, 40 people, in addition to former kindergarten principals, attended a ceremony organized to mark the piano’s return to the museum.

Delivering the address, Kentaro Kawai, president of Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing, stated, “The history of the development of Japan’s musical instrument industry is etched in the long path this piano has taken until this day.”

Mikigakki President Toshihiko Miki similarly expressed his delight, stressing, “It is really meaningful for me, as someone devoted to musical instruments, to be reunited with such a historically significant piano.”

Yokota served as an emcee and played the restored piano after the ceremony. As soon as she placed her fingers on it, she could not stop sliding them across the keyboard in excitement.

“The sound is gentle and elegant,” Yokota said. “I have never heard anything like this before.”

The grand piano is on permanent display at the establishment and visitors are welcome to play it. The history and folklore museum in Kurashiki is open from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. and is closed on most Mondays. Admission is free.