Hamamatsu Information Book

Kawakami Kaichi is the first honorary citizen of Hamamatsu City. He was the 3rd president of Nippon Gakki (present YAMAHA) following Yamaha Torakusu and Amano Chiyomaru. Nippon Gakki grew furthermore under his direction. He contributed not only to the development of Hamamatsu but also to that of the nation.

 

He was born in Uchino, Onoguchi Village, Hamana District (present Uchino, Hamakita-ku) on March 1, 1885.As a child, he was rather fragile, shy, and not so talkative.He went to Hamamatsu Chugakko (present Hamamatsu Kita High School). After high school, he graduated from the faculty of technology, Tokyo Teikoku Daigaku (present Tokyo University).With his friend words "Japan needs advancement in the area of applied chemical technology," he decided to study in the division. His graduation thesis on funori (seaweed applied to starch clothes) was highly praised and he was given a silver watch by Emperor Meiji at his graduation.

 

After the graduation, he worked for Tokyo Gas Campany.The next year, he was promoted to position of factory manager. However, he was soon headhunted by Osaka Sumitomo Shindo-jo, a copper rolling mill. The company later separated the division of electrical wire manufacturing, which became Sumitomo Densen Seizo-jo (present Sumitomo Electric Industries).

 

In 1925, 41-year-old Kaichi was inducted as a director of the company. The Following year, Nippon Gakki passionately offered him the seat of presidency of the company. The company was going through painful labor disputes then. After careful consideration, he decided to accept it and work for the revitalization of the company.Kaichi was 42 then.

 

The company was recovered through his reforms on its organizations and management plans. In 1930, the company started acoustic researches in a newly built advanced acoustic research laboratory.Kaichi focused on development of pipe-organs and succeeded on launching its production in 1932.

 

Nippon Gakki grew to become a modern musical instrument manufacture along the developments of accordions in 1933 and Magna organs, the Yamaha's first electric instrument, in 1935.

 

After WWII, the company soon began the manufacture of pianos and organs. The company eagerly tried to recover the war damages and manufactured not only musical instruments but also furniture.In 1946, he was elected as a member of the House of Peers of Japan for these achievements.

 

He suffered a mild cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 65. In order to convalesce, Kaichi became chairman of the company and designated his son, Gen'ichi as the new president in 1950.In 1952, he established a scholarship foundation (Kawakami Kaichi Ikuei Shoreikai) to give many students in his local opportunities to study. He also donated many books to his old school, Kita High School. For his contribution of developing Hamamatsu as a city of musical instrument, he was made the first honorary citizen of the city in 1960. In 1964, he passed away at the age of 80.

 

"Have salt in yourselves," a phrase in the Bible, was the motto for his life. He published several books regarding educating youth. He liked to write tanka (Japanese poems) and to paint.He was particularly good at portraits and drew more than 40 thousand pieces. His first son, Gen'ich, was the founder of Yamaha Motor.

 

Hamamatsu-Shiseiyoran (Hamamatsu City Guide)

Hamamatsu Sangyo-shi (History of Industry in Hamamatsu)

Shizuoka-ken Rekishi Jinbutsu Jiten (Encyclopedia of Historical Figures in Shizuoka Prefecture)

Enshu Kikai Kinzoku Kogyo Hattenshi (History of Enshu’s Machinery and Metal Industry)