KIZASHI was born from an extraordinary meeting of souls,
the legendary Shigeru Kawai grand piano and the soulful art of HERALBONY.
To feel the joy of free expression, to let one's emotions exist in this world,
exactly as they are.
With KIZASHI as our guiding light,
we strive for a society where every single one
can truly be themselves.
The greatest stages demand the greatest sound. But to us, Shigeru Kawai has never just been an instrument. It is a canvas for emotion. Built to carry everything you cannot put into words.
A fusion of tradition and innovation. Each piano is meticulously crafted by master artisans, resulting in a refined voice that captures the inner landscapes of the pianist which filling concert halls across the globe with resonant soul. The pianists who choose Shigeru Kawai pour their entire lives into their craft, facing the stage with a dedication born of blood, sweat, and tears.
Yet, that very intensity and beauty—while awe-inspiring—has sometimes created a quiet distance, making the world of the piano feel far removed from our everyday lives.
Yet, remember the very first time you turned your heart toward a piano. There must have been a courageous big step—taken perhaps with a touch of hesitation. You might have softly grazed the keys with your fingertips, or simply stood near the instrument, listening intently to the lingering echoes.
In that moment, surely, you touched the piano freely, following nothing but your heart.
In this very moment, whenever you touch the piano, there are no
"right answers," no "mistakes," and certainly no "distance." We want
to give resonance to every subtle nuance of emotion that spills from
your fingertips—exactly as it is.
Not to celebrate only the extraordinary, but to affirm each person’s
unique self within the rhythm of everyday life.
Whether you long to express yourself or simply seek a quiet
companion to lean on.
To play the honest nuances of each heart and to embrace one
another’s truth.
May these individual sounds resonate together, becoming a
"Kizashi"—a sign of a warmer, brighter future.
A collaboration with HERALBONY, transcending borders through the power of art. As sound and color melt together, the distances within our hearts begin to fade.
This "Kizashi"—this sign that brings with it a landscape of warmth—is exactly what Kawai seeks to discover alongside you as we look toward the next 100 years. To become a "Canvas for Sensibility" that dissolves all walls and embraces everyone.
Our hope is that this piano will be a courageous big step toward quietly clearing away the boundaries of the heart.
It has become SATO’s daily routine to create an artwork at home, since he first encountered the world of watercolor painting at a summer camp at the age of 10,He doesn't follow any motif, rather he chooses a combination of several colors from his palette based on his mood and feelings and fills a large-sized drawing paper with a watery touch, reminiscent of jellybeans or raindrops.
It has become SATO’s daily routine to create an artwork at home, since he first encountered the world of watercolor painting at a summer camp at the age of 10,He doesn't follow any motif, rather he chooses a combination of several colors from his palette based on his mood and feelings and fills a large-sized drawing paper with a watery touch, reminiscent of jellybeans or raindrops.
To ensure the hues remain pure, he prefers using a specific transparent watercolor paints made in the United States. When people compliment his artwork, saying, "It's beautiful," he happily echoes back, "It's beautiful." In his leisure time, he enjoys activities such as weaving, playing the piano, and dancing at an art class in Boston.
In this project, the works of artist SATO have been brought to life on the canvas of a Shigeru Kawai—our flagship model.
To layer art upon a flagship model, a piano already considered a masterpiece of technical perfection, was a deliberate and meaningful choice. It reflects our sincere desire to re-examine what a piano can be.
Rather than leaving the piano as a distant object reserved for a limited few, we want to present it as something welcoming—an instrument that invites everyone to touch and experience it. By embracing free expression, the piano transcends its traditional role.
This collaboration stands as a symbol of our challenge: to dissolve the boundaries between perfected craftsmanship and artistic freedom, creating a new, closer relationship between people and the piano.
A Piano for Connection
This exhibition marked a meaningful step in transforming the piano from an object to be admired from afar into one that invites everyone to touch and connect.
The piano made its Japan debut at "Jamie’s Concert." Founded by pianist Noriko Ogawa—who served as the Jury Chairperson for the 10th through 12th Hamamatsu International Piano Competitions—this concert series was inspired by her meeting with a young boy named Jamie, who has autism. Held during the daytime in a relaxed environment, it offers a welcoming space for those who find it difficult to attend traditional evening concerts or for families to enjoy music without worry.
Through piano performances and heartfelt stories, the concert cherishes the philosophy of respecting diversity and supporting society through music. This debut was a perfect harmony between the concert’s warm mission and our piano’s new identity as an inclusive piece of art.
The piano also made a prominent appearance at the NAMM SHOW, one of the world's largest music industry trade shows.
Visitors from all over the globe found themselves stopping in their tracks, drawn to the instrument to touch the keys and listen to its resonance. Despite differences in language and culture, the scene was filled with genuine curiosity and joy.
The fusion of striking visual art and rich musical tone naturally inspired people to engage, creating an instinctive desire to play. It was a moment where our vision of an "inclusive piano" truly resonated with hearts from around the world, transcending all borders.
Colors and Sounds Born from Daily Life
We sat down for an interview with the family of SATO, the artist whose work brought this project to life.
In this conversation, they share how creativity blossoms within their daily routine and how music has always been a part of their lives. They also speak about their feelings on seeing their artistic expression layered not onto a blank canvas, but onto the living form of a piano.
Through their sincere and heartfelt words, we explore the impressions this project left on them and the everyday inspirations that breathe life into the artwork.
Satoru James Motoyama
Mayumi Motoyama
Toshimitsu Motoyama
Mayumi: At around nine years old, he joined a summer program where watercolor activities were held each day. Until then, he had not shown much interest in drawing, but one teacher patiently guided him and encouraged him to keep going.
We found that watercolor was especially effective for him. He could stay focused quietly, and once we started giving him paints at home, drawing naturally became part of his daily routine.
Mayumi: Through painting, we noticed that he can concentrate deeply on one thing at a time. Looking for activities that he could truly enjoy on his own had been difficult, and drawing became a clear and joyful answer.
Seeing him calm, focused, and happy while working on each piece gave us confidence that this habit would remain important as he grows.
Toshimitsu: Because he paints every day, the number of works has become extraordinary. Some of those works were selected by HERALBONY and developed into products and exhibitions across society.
Seeing art move from a single sheet of paper into the world made us realize how expression can connect to people and create opportunities beyond the home.
Mayumi: Piano and painting are both part of his everyday life. Each one gives him a different way to discover his own comfort and curiosity, and both continue to grow together.
In that sense, drawing and making music are not separate activities for him. They are two expressions that support each other.
Mayumi: We had many expectations, but the completed piano exceeded them. The original artwork was transformed into a three-dimensional instrument while still preserving the spirit of each brushstroke.
Toshimitsu: Watching this process with Kawai and HERALBONY made us deeply grateful. It felt as if his expression began to resonate through space as sound.
Mayumi: We hope people encounter this piano without pressure and simply enjoy touching the keys. Even a short moment can become meaningful if it opens a new connection.
Toshimitsu: High-quality instruments can sometimes feel distant, but this project shows that they can become closer and more inclusive. We want more people to feel that a fine instrument can welcome everyone.
Mayumi: We try to offer children opportunities to discover what they naturally enjoy. Rather than forcing a path, we believe in supporting moments where their own voice appears.
Toshimitsu: Talent is not limited to rare mastery. If something makes a child feel inspired, that itself is already expression. We hope this piano encourages that first step.
You don’t need any special preparation to touch the piano.
There is no need to be skillful, nor a requirement to play "correctly."
Simply let a single note ring out.
In that very moment, your own expression begins.
This piano exists to embrace that first step—exactly as you are.
HERALBONY is a creative companycrafting a new culture andchallenging preconceptions ofdisability through art
