Kohno, Sakurai & Kimishima are three generations of one Tokyo guitar-making family: Masaru Kohno, Japan’s most important classical guitar maker; his nephew Masaki Sakurai, who led the workshop from 1998 as Sakurai-Kohno; and Kohno’s grandson So Kimishima, who carries the tradition on today with his own models.
At a Glance
- Workshop: Tokyo, Japan
- Masaru Kohno (1926–1998): born in Mito City; trained in 1960 with Arcángel Fernández in Madrid; Gold Medal at an international competition in Belgium, 1967
- Masaki Sakurai (1944–2025): Kohno’s nephew; in the workshop from 1966; First Prize, 4th International Guitar Making Competition, Paris, 1988; head of the workshop from 1998
- So Kimishima (born 1983): Kohno’s grandson; trained under Sakurai since 2007; his own models are the “Stella” (2021), “Sol” and “Luna”
- Played by: Julian Bream, Oscar Ghiglia, Sharon Isbin, Eduardo Fernández, Shin-ichi Fukuda, John Dearman
Masaru Kohno (1926–1998)
Not only the most important luthier to emerge from Japan, Kohno is also one of the best worldwide. He was born in 1926 in Mito City, Japan, and in 1948 he graduated from the Tokyo College of Arts and Crafts with a degree in woodcraft. It was during this time that he became interested in guitar construction, and in 1960 he traveled to Spain to learn the craft.
Kohno apprenticed for six months at the workshop of Arcángel Fernández, and although neither could speak a word of the other’s language, they managed to communicate. Kohno’s apprenticeship consisted mostly of sitting in the back of the shop and quietly – but attentively – observing the master Fernández at work. Kohno’s quiet learning paid off.
Upon his return to Tokyo he established his own workshop and quickly gained recognition among Japanese guitarists. His international debut came in 1967, when he was awarded the Gold Medal at an international guitar-building competition in Belgium. On the judges’ panel were, among others, Ignacio Fleta, Robert Bouchet, Joaquín Rodrigo and Alirio Díaz. Since then, many players of world renown have used Kohno guitars; among them are Julian Bream, Oscar Ghiglia and Sharon Isbin, to name a few.
Masaki Sakurai (1944–2025)
Born in Tokyo on May 10, 1944, Masaki Sakurai joined the workshop of his uncle, Masaru Kohno, in 1966. Among many other accomplishments, in 1988 he was awarded First Prize at the 4th International Guitar Making Competition in Paris, France. Mr. Kohno passed away in 1998, and the workshop was taken over by Sakurai, who carried on its legacy under the name Sakurai-Kohno.
The guitars built since he took over have maintained the high levels of quality, precision craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail and beauty of tone that have made Kohno guitars world renowned. Masaki Sakurai passed away in 2025 at the age of 81 (read our tribute).
So Kimishima (born 1983)
So Kimishima, Masaru Kohno’s grandson, was born in 1983. He studied at the Musashi Institute of Technology in Tokyo, and soon after graduating he joined the family workshop, where since 2007 he has worked and trained with his uncle, the great Masaki Sakurai. His engineer’s eye shows in more than his guitars: since 2009 he has written a column on measuring guitar strings for Japan’s Gendai Guitar magazine.
Although clearly influenced by the designs of both Sakurai and Kohno, Kimishima infuses his own personality into his guitars. They are based largely on the sound of Masaru Kohno’s guitars from the 1950s and 1960s, with design ideas and techniques learned from Sakurai, and he uses different bracing designs according to the tonewood of each top. In 2021 he announced his own model, the “Stella”, followed by his flagship “Sol” and its sister model “Luna”, which bring double sides with individually fitted “peones”, an ebony-reinforced neck and a French polish and cashew finish.
Kohno, Sakurai & Kimishima in Orfeo Magazine
Orfeo No. 15: The Guitar in Japan
Orfeo’s issue on Japanese guitar making.
Kohno, Sakurai & Kimishima Guitars at GSI
GSI is proud to be the only dealer in the USA for guitars from this workshop, and many Kohno, Sakurai and Kimishima guitars have passed through our doors over the years. You’ll find guitars currently in stock by clicking the “Guitars In Stock” button in the header of this page as well as earlier examples in our Museum by clicking the “Guitars In Museum” button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Masaru Kohno?
Japan’s most important classical guitar maker (1926–1998). He trained in Madrid with Arcángel Fernández in 1960 and won a Gold Medal in Belgium in 1967.
What is the Sakurai-Kohno workshop?
Kohno’s Tokyo workshop, led after his death in 1998 by his nephew Masaki Sakurai, who carried it on under the name Sakurai-Kohno.
Who is So Kimishima?
Masaru Kohno’s grandson, born in 1983, who joined the workshop and trained under Masaki Sakurai from 2007. He builds his own models: the “Stella”, “Sol” and “Luna”.
Which guitarists have played Kohno and Sakurai guitars?
Among others Julian Bream, Oscar Ghiglia, Sharon Isbin, Eduardo Fernández, Shin-ichi Fukuda and John Dearman of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.
