Kawai Premiers New Prestige Brand at NAMM 2000

February 17, 2000 -- Kawai America Corporation introduces an entirely new brand of piano unlike any previous instruments built by Kawai in its seventy-two-year history of building acoustic pianos. The SHIGERU KAWAI piano is a high-end prestige piano offering numerous handcrafted features.

While the SHIGERU piano is born of the same origins that distinguish every Kawai piano, the application of detailed handwork at every level of the crafting process sets the SHIGERU piano apart from others in their line.

Also unique to the SHIGERU piano will be the personal service and attention paid to each owner. Within the first year of ownership, those who possess a SFHGERU piano will receive a visit from one of Kawai's elite Master Piano Artisans of Japan. This initial application of concert-level voicing, regulation and tuning will be Kawai's gift to those who possess this unique instrument.

Fewer than one percent of all Kawai pianos will bear the name SHIGERU. This makes each SHIGERU piano a Limited Edition instrument. Each one will be selectively numbered for North America as designated on a limited addition plate. The SHIGERU line will initially consist of three grand piano models. These instruments will be featured at the Shigeru Kawai Foundation Inaugural Gala, held in conjunction with NAMM 2000.

The namesake of the new line is Shigeru Kawai, chairman of Global Kawai Group. Shigeru Kawai has literally devoted his life to the advancement of the piano. In over fifty years of leadership, with the Kawai Company, he has successfully expanded the Kawai presence to over 80 countries around the world and has motivated the worldwide piano industry with his commitment to quality and innovation. To Shigeru. Kawai, this new line represents a labor of love and a milestone in the pursuit of his personal and family quest to perfect the art of the piano. In dedicating the SHIGERU line, Mr. Kawai declares, "I place my name upon this piano with utmost confidence and honor, as my personal expression of supreme commitment to the art of the piano."

For more information contact Kawai at www.kawaius.com.