All Y.Kawakami Guitars are handcrafted using only the best tone woods from around the world and the best techniques for tone and strength. "I hope my guitars will be passed on to your grandchildren. This is my goal. Uncompromising."
Adirondack Spruce top
Madagascar Rosewood back and sides
Flamed Maple binding
Honduran Mahogany neck
Mastergrade Lutz Spruce top
Indian Rosewood back and sides
Flamed Maple binding
Honduran Mahogany neck
Mastergrade Sitka Spruce top
Honduran Mahogany back and sides
Flamed Maple binding
Honduran Mahogany neck
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Solid Figured Maple back and sides
Figured Maple binding
Honduran Mahogany neck
Mastergrade Sitka Spruce top
Honduran Mahogany back and sides
Flamed Maple binding
Honduran Mahogany neck
Premium Hawaiian Koa top
Premium Hawaiian Koa back and sides
Flamed Maple binding
Honduran Mahogany neck
Shimamura & Kawakami Collaboration
Fall, 2014
Model: New Wave
More information: shimamura.co.jp
Acoustic Guitar Magazine Vol. 49
Summer, 2011
Two features with Yusuke Kawakami:
  • Art of Tonewood (p.57)
  • Wood Capital of the World (pp.82~83)
You can order a copy of the magazine from Amazon Japan.
Acoustic Guitar Book Vol. 32
January, 2011
A two-page spread featuring my guitars and ukuleles!
You can order a copy of the magazine from Amazon Japan.
Westcoast Reader Article
April, 2009
There is a university close to me that publishes a newspaper for adults who are improving their English reading skills. It's called the Westcoast Reader and it's published monthly from September to June, free for certain institutions. There are teacher's resources and other online resources, like audio of the top story, at www.westcoastreader.ca. I'm honoured to have an article about me in the April 2009 issue. Best wishes to everyone working to improve their English reading skills!
See here for more information and here to see a larger version.
Acoustic Guitar Magazine Vol. 38
November, 2008
A special feature article on Canadian luthiers: "Canadian Luthiers Travelogue" Featured luthiers include Marc Beneteau, Rob Bustos (Paragon), Jeff Sigurdson and me! It also includes the specs on one guitar for each luthier. Mine is the Trad-D. Also, my Trad-OM is featured in the "New Gear Sound Check" on page 203.
"Canadian Luthiers Travelogue"
"New Gear Sound Check"
Newport in Miami Beach Guitar Festival
Spring 2008
I will be attending this festival in Miami. Drop by and say hello!
"We cordially invite you to join us at the Miami Beach Convention Center, April 11-13th, 2008 as we host some of the world's top makers of hand-built guitars along with prestigious vendors of vintage guitars, accessories and supplies."

"The festival will be the first hand-built guitar festival in South Florida history, also the first vintage guitar show to be staged in South Florida. The festival is taking full advantage of Miami's unique position as a major tourist destination for Europeans and Americans alike, also known as the gateway to Latin America."

Snowman in Vancouver
December, 2007
Novelist Kenichi Kawakami has written a story based on me. It's called Vancouver no Yukidaruma (Snowman in Vancouver).
Acoustic Guitar Book 26
December, 2007
Acoustic Guitar Book 26 has a feature on me and my dad. Check it out on page 11!
Healdsburg Guitar Festival 2007
Summer 2007
I will be at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival in California, August 17-19.

The Healdsburg Guitar Festival is located at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts just off of Hwy. 101 between Healdsburg and Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, California.

In the News!
July, 2006
On July 9, 2006 I was featured in the Unwind section of the Province newspaper, a B.C. newspaper based in Vancouver! Check out the full text of the article or a full-page scan, both in PDF format. (Warning: the scan is almost 4 MB, so it may take a while to download.)
 
Copyright © 2024 Yusuke Kawakami