Katsumi Arai with classical guitar materials and tools in the background (photographed in February 2003)
Katsumi Arai with his self-made classical guitar from 1977 (photographed in May 2025)

Katsumi Arai Guitar Atelier

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About Me

About Me

A classical guitar handcrafted by Katsumi Arai, placed on a guitar stand
Since becoming independent in 1968, Katsumi Arai has been crafting classical guitars entirely by hand, following traditional Spanish techniques. From the selection of materials to the final finish, each instrument is carefully made, pursuing beauty and sound for over half a century.
  • Address: Kazo City, Saitama, Japan
  • Email:

Born in Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Studied guitar performance under guitarist and composer Yuquijiro Yocoh

Encouraged by Yuquijiro Yocoh to pursue guitar making, studied classical guitar construction under Tsunasaburo Kurosawa

Learned classical guitar construction under Morio Tazaki

Established own atelier and began guitar making in Toda City, Saitama

Moved atelier to Kazo City, Saitama

Guitars made by Katsumi Arai were featured in the book “Classical Guitar Masterpieces Collection” by Gendai Guitar. In the first edition, it appeared on pages 8–9, and in the second edition on pages 12–13.

Also featured in Gendai Guitar\'s “Classical Guitar Masterpieces Collection 2008”.
Now available in PDF format. Digital version available at Gendai Guitar\'s sheet music and e-book site → pima

Guitar 100%
Lute 75%
Oud 70%
Today's Picks

Today's Picks

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Selected Scores

Selected Scores

Featuring fingered scores by guitarist Kunio Shichinohe (based on the guitar solo album "Jewel Box of Love").

  1. Etude No.31 (Vol.4) - Julio Salvador Sagreras
  2. Etude No.27 (Vol.2) / No.17 (Vol.5) - Julio Salvador Sagreras
  3. Etude No.26 (Vol.5) - Julio Salvador Sagreras
  4. Etude No.73 (Vol.1) - Julio Salvador Sagreras
  5. Barcarolle - Napoléon Coste
  6. Lullaby - Matvey Blanter / arr. Yuquijiro Yocoh
  7. Romance sans paroles - Jaime Felipe José Bosch
  8. Madrigal (Gavota) - Agustín Barrios Mangoré
  9. Etude No.27 (Vol.6) – dedicated to Irma Haydee Perazzo - Julio Salvador Sagreras
  10. Etude No.44 (Vol.2) – Danza árabe - Julio Salvador Sagreras
  11. La Tortuga - Mexican folk song / arr. Jesús Benites Reyes
  12. Kōjō no Tsuki (The Moon over the Ruined Castle) - Rentarō Taki / arr. Nobutaka Nakagawa / adapted: Kunio Shichinohe
  13. Korin (Dry Forest) – Étude for Harmonics - Kogoro Mizobuchi
  14. Danza Rústica - Shinobu Sugawara
  15. El Vito - Spanish folk song
  16. Romance de Amor (Jeux interdits) - Spanish folk song
  17. Granada - Isaac Albéniz
  18. El Colibrí - Julio Salvador Sagreras

Trusted by Guitarists

Yuquijiro Yocho

Yuquijiro Yocho

横尾 幸弘

Kunio Shichinohe

Kunio Shichinohe

七戸 國夫

Siegfried Behrend

Siegfried Behrend

ジークフリート ベーレント

Rey Alfonso Shoda

Rey Alfonso Shoda

レイ・アルフォンソ正田

Yoshiro Yamanaka

Yoshiro Yamanaka

山中 芳郎

Tsuneo Ema

Tsuneo Ema

江間 常夫

Jose Luis Gonzalez

Jose Luis Gonzalez

ホセ ルイス ゴンザレス

Masaharu Tanjyo

Masaharu Tanjyo

丹正 雅晴

Akira Iizuka

Akira Iizuka

飯塚 明

Hamza El Din

Hamza El Din

ハムザ エル ディーン

My Photo

My Photo

  • All
  • Guitar
  • Work
  • etc.
Mina Sekido receiving her guitar after maintenance.

Mina Sekido receiving her guitar after maintenance.

Basic design of a Katsumi Arai guitar, featuring a spruce top and Jacaranda back and sides.

Basic design of a Katsumi Arai guitar, featuring a spruce top and Jacaranda back and sides.

A 1976 Arai Guitar, owned by Tetsuya Saijo.

A 1976 Arai Guitar, owned by Tetsuya Saijo.

A 1979 Arai Guitar, owned by Katsuo Tsurumi.

A 1979 Arai Guitar, owned by Katsuo Tsurumi.

A 2002 Arai Guitar with rosewood and spruce, owned by Katsuo Tsurumi.

A 2002 Arai Guitar with rosewood and spruce, owned by Katsuo Tsurumi.

A Katsumi Arai guitar beloved by the guitarist Kunio Shichinohe.

A Katsumi Arai guitar beloved by the guitarist Kunio Shichinohe.

Order notebook filled with custom specifications requested by guitarists.

Order notebook filled with custom specifications requested by guitarists.

A newspaper article on the repair of a oud for oud and tar player Hamza El Din.

A newspaper article on the repair of a oud for oud and tar player Hamza El Din.

Soundhole of a 1969 guitar.

Soundhole of a 1969 guitar.

With guitarist and composer Yuquijiro Yocoh and Kunio Shichinohe.

With guitarist and composer Yuquijiro Yocoh and Kunio Shichinohe.

A Katsumi Arai guitar beloved by the guitarist Kunio Shichinohe.

A Katsumi Arai guitar beloved by the guitarist Kunio Shichinohe.

A guitar made for Yuquijiro Yocoh's daughter, now used by his granddaughter.

A guitar made for Yuquijiro Yocoh's daughter, now used by his granddaughter.

The Katsumi Arai brand mark, visible inside the soundhole.

The Katsumi Arai brand mark, visible inside the soundhole.

Guitarist Siegfried Behrend trying out an Arai Guitar.

Guitarist Siegfried Behrend trying out an Arai Guitar.

A newspaper article on teaching a young man aspiring to be a classical guitar maker.

A newspaper article on teaching a young man aspiring to be a classical guitar maker.

A workbench in the guitar atelier, with a surface being planed.

A workbench in the guitar atelier, with a surface being planed.

A newspaper article on the making of guitars for Siegfried Behrend and Jose Luis Gonzalez.

A newspaper article on the making of guitars for Siegfried Behrend and Jose Luis Gonzalez.

An oud brought in for maintenance.

An oud brought in for maintenance.

A comparison of a standard-size guitar (left) and a smaller guitar for women (right).

A comparison of a standard-size guitar (left) and a smaller guitar for women (right).

A semi-custom Arai Guitar.

A semi-custom Arai Guitar.

A full-custom Arai Guitar crafted from maple.

A full-custom Arai Guitar crafted from maple.

A full-custom Arai Guitar crafted from maple.

A full-custom Arai Guitar crafted from maple.

A semi-custom guitar with intricate decorations on the soundhole and body edges.

A semi-custom guitar with intricate decorations on the soundhole and body edges.

A guitar undergoing overhaul, with its top and fretboard removed.

A guitar undergoing overhaul, with its top and fretboard removed.

The hand-drawn plan for a custom-made guitar.

The hand-drawn plan for a custom-made guitar.

A saw rack, one of the many tools in the atelier.

A saw rack, one of the many tools in the atelier.

A collection of guitars in the atelier, including a work-in-progress and others brought in for maintenance.

A collection of guitars in the atelier, including a work-in-progress and others brought in for maintenance.