Harmonica Played in Japan
Last Update: 26 Sep. 1995
Harmonica came to Japan in about 1880-1890. (The Yokohama Festival is,
in a part, the memorial event of 100th anniversary of harmonica in Japan.)
Harmonica play was prosperous through '20s-'50s. And in addition, after
World War II, harmonica was used in elementary education (age 6-12).
But, after '60s-, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard have took
place of harmonica, so harmonica play is not so prosperous now.
But harmonica sounds is usually used in commercial message and popular
music. Some says that, in the trend of looking-back of acoustic sounds,
harmonica sales in Japan is obviously increasing again.
Harmonica lovers in Japan are divided into 2 types today, I think. One is
of rather old people, learned before '50s, and his/her followers. They play
mainly tremolo diatonic. The other is of rather young people who had
learned harmonica directly from hearing foreign (US or Europe) music. They
play mainly 10 holes (Blues Harp).
Total number of harmonica players in Japan I don't know. The number of
people who have played harmonica may be great, for almost all people
near my age have played harmonica in elementary school. There are
also some harmonica clubs who gathers about 7-800 people in yearly
concert of the club menbers.
In Japan 3 harmonica manufacturers exists. They are
- Tombo Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company
- 2-37-22, Nishi-Nippori,
- Arakawa,
- Tokyo 116, JAPAN Tel.+81-3-3802-2105
- Suzuki Musical Instrument Company
- 25-12, Ryoke,
- Hamamatsu,
- Shizuoka 430, JAPAN Tel.+81-53-461-2325
- YAMAHA Corporation
- ---address not sure, sorry
For solo play of tremoro, Tombo & Suzuki is usually used. For 10 holes model,
Tombo makes "Lee Oskar model" and "Major Boy", and Suzuki makes "Pro Master".
For chromatic, Hohner is popular in Japan.
Return to harmonica picture home page
Masaaki Shigehara / PFD00763@niftyserve.or.jp