In 1887, Torakusu Yamaha began producing reed organs in Hamamatsu, in central Japan. He later founded a company called Nippon Gakki (Musical Instruments of Japan). Around the same time, a Tokyo boilermaker began making bugles and established a wind instrument company named Nippon Kangakki (Japanese Wind Instruments). Both companies were active in popularizing western musical instruments in Japan, and in 1965 jointly developed the first wind instrument to bear the Yamaha name. By 1970, the two firms merged and in 1987, while commemorating their hundredth year anniversary, renamed the firm the Yamaha Corporation.

In 1887, Torakusu Yamaha began producing reed organs in Hamamatsu, in central Japan. He later founded a company called Nippon Gakki (Musical Instruments of Japan). Around the same time, a Tokyo boilermaker began making bugles and established a wind instrument company named Nippon Kangakki (Japane...   [more]