Toshihiko Nakade classical guitar

[DownUnder]

I owned a 1976 Toshihiko Nakade classical guitar. I heard that he learnt his guitar making skills from Hernandez y Aguado workshop. As an owner of the guitar, I would like to know more about the luthier (Toshihiko), and some history on his guitars. Does anyone has any information?

[inick]

Dear Downunder
I saw your message relating to the antecedents of Toshihiko Nakade.
I offer a belated response to your request. Some of what I say is hearsay, but perhaps accurate in all the circumstance. Yes, indeed, a very young Mr. Nakade did travel to Spain seeking his destiny as a luthier and was, indeed fortunate enough to be invited to sweep the floors of Messrs Hernandez and Aguado’s workshops.
He diligent swept the floor for some 18 months and over that time the two old masters observed that Toshihiko was an extraordinarily observant and enthusiastic (potential) pupil, hence his apprenticeship with two of the great modern master luthiers of the twentieth century.
It is my understanding that both Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Aguado taught Tosjihiko the intricacies of guitar construction and this is very evident in the head stock of Nakade guitars which, whilst touched with a unique oriental “pagoda” shares, at its peak, an uncanny general resemblance to the head stock of the classic Henande Aguado guitar.
Eventually the old masters passed on and in the very early 70's Toshihiko returned to Japan where he commenced the manufacture of his most excellent instruments in a relatively tiny apartment on the 22nd floor of a suburban highrise block.As his guitars became better known he was able to rent the apartment next door where he stored timbers and materials he would stockpile to construct his instruments. Should anyone be in possession of and/or want to part with a Nakade Deluxe 20 please contact the writer at nicholas_powrie@yahoo.com.au and we might compare notes and discuss.