Meet the Makers: Keiji and aya nakanishi
Keiji Nakanishi
Aya Nakanishi
We are so lucky to have Keiji and Aya Nakanishi here to answer some questions on the art of making string instruments!
They have a workshop in Tochigi City, Japan; and are both part of the “Japan Master Violin Makers”.
Andy’s violin is made by Keiji Nakanishi, and we had first come across one of his violins at a string shop in Raleigh at Triangle Strings.
We thank them both so much for their time!
What got you interested in being a string instrument luthier?
Keiji : I have been learning violin for 10 years since I was 4 years
old. I liked making things, so my interest shifted to making things
rather than playing.
Aya : There was an article in the newspaper about a violin-making
school. I went to visit the school. I liked it and entered the school.
What instrument/instruments do each of you play?
Keiji : Violin
Aya : I'm not very good at playing stringed instruments. But I can
play the drums.
How many years have you both been making string instruments?
We have been making musical instruments for over 20 years.
How did you and Aya meet?
We met at a violin making school.
What’s your favorite part of making string instruments?
Keiji : The moment when the finished instrument makes a sound!
Aya : I like making the arch of the soundboard and adjusting its thickness.
About how long does it take to make a string instrument?
It takes about 2-3 months, including the varnishing process. We do it
very slowly and carefully.
Any information or interesting background on the violin that Andy has?
Keiji : Since it was the first instrument I exhibited at the VSA, I
made it more carefully than usual, and made repeated adjustments to
the sound.
What is it like being part of the “Japan Master Violin Makers”?
Keiji : The goal of Japan Master Violin Makers is to create better
instruments by sharing each other's techniques. It's very meaningful.
Where are some of your instruments showcased?
Keiji : Old town violins(Currently out of stock ) in US(Kentucky),
Tokyo, Tochigi in Japan.
Aya : Triangle strings(viola 366mm) , Azure violins(violin) in
US(North Carolina) Tokyo, Kyoto,Tochigi in Japan.
You can try them at some music stores in the US, but unfortunately
they are not in stock at the moment.
How did your violin end up in North Carolina, at Triangle Strings?
Straight from the VSA venue.
We noticed you have cats! What are their names?
“KURO” and “TAICHO” in Japanese. The meaning is “black” and “captain”.
Biographies and more about you:
Keiji Nakanishi
Born in Tochigi, Japan.
Keiji Nakanishi studied graphic design at Tama Art University and
holds a master's degree. After graduating he worked on design and
he got interested in violin making.
In 1999, Nakanishi enrolled at Violin Making School OSAKA, Japan,
studied the making of bowed instruments after Takao Iwai, a disciple of Gio
Batta Morassi and Ikuko Suzuki, a disciple of Giorgio Scolari.
He returned to his native town of Tochigi, in 2002 and opened his own
studio, Liuteria Violinya. He is a member of the KANSAI String Instruments
Makers Association and a member of the “Japan Master Violin Makers”
Aya Nakanishi
Born in Osaka, Japan.
Aya Nakanishi graduated from a high school of the arts and worked
at an art gallery.
One day she found an article in the newspaper about a violin making
school. She was interested in it very much and decided to enter Violin
Making School OSAKA, Japan.
She studied basic techniques of violin making there for three years
after Takao Iwai and Ikuko Suzuki, both are disciples of Gio Batta
Morassi and Giorgio Scolari in Cremona.
After graduating, she married her husband who was a student at
the same school and started working together from 2002. She mainly
makes violins and violas.
Check out their website below for more information!
