The Aoyama family business dates back to the 1880s. Jitaroh Aoyama was the pioneering head of family two generations ago when the family business was the repair of musical instruments such as violins and organs. He founded the Aoyama Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company to make stringed instruments including violin and cello in the region of Fukui in 1897.
Jitaroh’s son, Masao Aoyama, had an overwhelming love of the harp and assumed control of the business where he was able to dedicate himself to making his charming instrument. With his skills and inspiration, Masao started the production of Aoyama Folk Harps.
Kenzo Aoyama, the present successor of the business, began production of the Grand Concert Harps and brought the family company world wide recognition as one of the few international harp makers.
In 1992, the new Aoyama harp factory was completed, including a concert hall and museum of antique harps. The family Ethos of “Be honest and do your best work” combined with fine dedicated craftsmen in the factory enabled new harps to be produced in harmony with both tradition and new techniques.
The experience of making musical instruments for over a century combined with close association with musicians has kept Aoyama in the forefront of musical technology. This position the intends keeping into the next century.
— Kenzo Aoyama, Director