Retailer in Japan

[Jim_Harvey@yca.ccmail.compuserve.com]

        Hi Michael,

        I don't know about the special dealer in Tokyo, but your understanding
of piano technicians in Japan is essentially true.

        I was surprised to find how closed (or certainly self-contained) the
structure was. Although I know little about their structure, your message
reminded me that what I do know would be too lengthy for a simple reply. Since
your student is from there, she should be well-versed in these matters. In fact,
I submit she should have had _prior_ knowledge on this subject. I'll reflect on
one isolated experience and my only suggestions, for what they're worth.

        SETUP: Although there are likely exceptions to this, the "ideal" model
would be: a customer buys brand 'x' in Japan. Brand 'x' was also made in Japan.
They buy it from a brand 'x' factory owned store. Subsequent service will be
performed by a tuner/tech from the same factory that made the piano (during
off-hours) -- otherwise one who works for (and endorsed and trained by) the
factory owned store. The system is so structured that, believe it or not, there
are people whose jobs are to go door-to-door selling pianos.

        Cut to the isolated experience, and a possible loophole. I had an
occasion to visit a store called Seibu <sp?>. It was a department store, and my
interpreter told me it either was Sears, or the equivalent of Sears in Japan.
While there, I walked into an area that had more shiny black pianos than I'd
ever seen in my life -- at least all in one room.

        Closer inspection revealed that these were not only _used_ pianos, they
were made by Yamaha, Kawai, Atlas, and various other Japanese manufacturers.

        These new-looking used pianos were one part of the structure: the
Japanese still treat music (and musical instruments) with respect. They feel
that if a piano has worked for ten years, it has served them well, and should be
retired "with dignity". Needless to say, this scheme encourages new piano sales,
but has a potential, over time, to overload the used piano market. That's part
of the reason we're now seeing vintage Yamaha's and Kawai's being sold here --
never mind that they were built for "domestic" [a.k.a. Japan's] environment.

        Possibly your student could explore working for the Seibu or similar
enterprise, _because_ there is such a myriad of different brands. Otherwise, she
must bite the bullet and do the two-year stint with Atlas or, for that matter,
any other manufacturer. No one is immune from learning a particular
manufacturer's methods and ideology. In some companies, even company accountants
must have hands-on experience with the products. This means working at various
stations on the production line -- even if they never touch pianos again after
their training. An analogy, bad or otherwise, would be an Army typist or
musician being required to go through basic training... and carry a rifle to
work.

        I hate to conclude on a negative note, but I'm not sure that your
colleague, once trained, then exposed to the American piano service trade, would
want the restrictions imposed by a factory job.

        Best wishes to her in her continued pursuits.

        Jim Harvey

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________

[Wathen, in part...]

I have a student who is from Japan and intends to return home in
a few days. She received a Bachelors in Piano Performance in
June.  During her last two years she has trained in all aspects
of action rebuilding , tuning and voicing.  She just finished a
three month internship tuning for the Aspen Musical Festival.
She set on doing piano work but there is only one problem.  Japan
is a closed shop.