We Begin with a Broken Reed Organ

In addition to reading, writing, and the abacus, students in Japan were beginning to learn choral singing accompanied by a reed organ, and it was obvious to Torakusu that reed organs would become increasingly necessary.

I want to make a reed organ with my own hands…

1887

Learning musical theory

Torakusu built a prototype reed organ in two months. Torakusu carried the prototype from Hamamatsu to the Music Institute in Tokyo (now the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music) for evaluation, but was told that although it had the right shape, its inaccurate tuning made it unusable. Realizing that craftsmanship alone was not sufficient, he elected to stay on in Tokyo for a month to study music theory.

Torakusu Yamaha

1887

An instrument that would take the place of imported reed organs

Torakusu returned to Hamamatsu and completed the second prototype, which he again took to Tokyo. He was then told that this prototype rectified the shortcomings of the first and would be able to take the place of imported instruments, and thus the organ was completed.

Model 1 Reed Organ (Serial No. 3064)
Organ／Late 1880s

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