Sakurai Kohno

Masaru Kohno – Guitar Maker

Foundations and Early Development

Masaru Kohno, already regarded as Japan’s finest guitar maker, studied under Fleta in Barcelona. Upon returning to Tokyo in 1960, he disproved the Western stereotype of Japanese production by showing no intention of producing polite imitations of Spanish guitars. Instead, he challenged the dominance of established guitar makers.

Innovations and Recognition

He developed his own “Torres” model with a comfortable neck for hands smaller and less powerful than Segovia’s, paired with a strong voice, brilliant highs, and clear basses. His guitars soon won the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize for their sound. By the late 1960s, Kohno’s guitars had earned a worldwide reputation for consistent high quality at affordable prices, with demand far exceeding what he could produce.

Workshop and Expansion

With the support of his nephew (Sakurai), he responded by creating a modern workshop, offering the world a high-quality alternative to Ramirez for the next two decades. Kohno’s market share grew until the mid-1980s, when a general decline in guitar sales—after 30 years of continuous expansion—impacted Kohno and most major guitar makers.

Legacy and Influence

As in Madrid, where many craftsmen originated from the Ramirez workshop, many of Tokyo’s finest independent luthiers of the 1970s were former Kohno employees. Masaru Kohno (1926–1998) is considered not only Japan’s most significant guitar maker but also one of the finest in the world.

Background and European Apprenticeship

He was born in Mito City, Japan, and graduated in 1948 from the Tokyo School of Arts and Crafts with a degree in woodworking. During this time, he became interested in guitar making and traveled to Spain in 1959 to learn the craft.

Time with Arcangel Fernandez

Kohno spent six months apprenticing in the workshop of Arcangel Fernandez. Although neither spoke a word of the other's language, they managed to communicate. His apprenticeship largely consisted of sitting quietly at the back of the shop, observing the master at work.

Recognition and International Impact

His quiet learning paid off. After returning to Tokyo, he established his own workshop and rapidly gained recognition among Japanese guitarists. His international breakthrough came in 1967 when he won the gold medal at the International Guitar Building Competition “Elizabeth Concourse” in Belgium. The jury included Ignacio Fleta, Robert Bouchet, Joaquín Rodrigo, and Alirio Díaz.

Artists Who Played Kohno Guitars

Since then, many world-renowned players have played Kohno guitars, including Julian Bream, Oscar Ghiglia, and Sharon Isbin.