Electronics and machinery
Yamaha ヤマハ
From organ repair to pianos and motorcycles
In 1887 Torakusu Yamaha repaired a broken reed organ at a school in Hamamatsu, then decided to build organs himself. The company became one of the world's largest makers of musical instruments, and its motorcycle division became the separate Yamaha Motor in 1955.
- Founded
- 1887
- Meiji 20
- Founder
- Torakusu Yamaha
- Started in
- Hamamatsu
- Status
- Still trading
- Age 139 years
Timeline
-
1887 (Meiji 20)
Torakusu Yamaha repairs a reed organ and builds his first one.
-
1897 (Meiji 30)
Founds Nippon Gakki, the musical instrument company.
-
1900 (Meiji 33)
Makes its first upright piano.
-
1955 (Shōwa 30)
The motorcycle business becomes the separate Yamaha Motor.
-
1987 (Shōwa 62)
Nippon Gakki renames itself Yamaha Corporation.
Years in brackets are the Japanese era year. Japanese era converter →
Did you know?
The logo of three crossed tuning forks is a reminder that the company began with music.
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Dates follow the companies' own published histories where available. Trademarks belong to their owners; this page is not affiliated with any company listed.