The story
The history of woodwind manufacturing in Japan has its origins in 1894 when Tokutaro Yanagisawa began repairing imported woodwinds for military band members. Tokutaro's repair shop soon evolved into an instrument factory—the first to build woodwind instruments on Japanese soil. Tokutaro's son Takanobu followed in his father's footsteps, choosing to pursue a career in the craft of instrument-making. Takanobu built his first prototype saxophone in 1951.
Starting in the late 1960s, Yanagisawa exported saxophones sold under various distributor's names, providing a large portion of the instruments sold under the Vito (Japan) brand and representing Leblanc's Martin brand for saxophones starting in 1971. In 1978, the 800 series models were introduced. These became the first Yanagisawa saxophones exported under Yanagisawa's own name.
In 1980, the 500 series was introduced for sale under other brand names in the student/intermediate market. With the growth of Yanagisawa's reputation, interest in finding Yanagisawa instruments sold under other brand names has become heightened in the used instrument market.
The Yanagisawa soprano saxophone designs became influential throughout rest of the industry, comparable to the influence of Selmer (Paris) and Yamaha saxophones in other ranges. Yanagisawa introduced innovations including detachable straight and curved necks and a high G key for its 990 series soprano saxophones.<
Product development timeline:
1954
First tenor saxophone (the T-3 model) enters production.
1956–1966
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First alto saxophone (A-3) is unveiled, and A-5 alto and T-5 tenor models are introduced. Development work is completed on a low-A baritone model (B-6).
1968
Japan's first soprano saxophone (S-6) is placed on the market. The SN-600 sopranino model with high-E key is finished and released.
1978–1985
The Elimona (Elite Monarch) series (800 series) is launched. Japan's first curved soprano model is unveiled.
The world's first straight soprano model with detachable neck (S-880) is announced.
1990–1996
Yanagisawa's 900- and 990-series soprano and baritone models are introduced. The first Silver Sonic model (9930 series) is unveiled in soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone ranges in Japan. Alto and tenor models are added to the 900 and 990 series, which later evolve into the 900μ and 990μ series.
1999
The A-9937 alto model with sterling silver neck, body, bow, and bell is announced.
2000
The sterling T-9937 tenor model hits the market and Yanagisawa introduces its top baritone model, the B-9930BSB. Yanagisawa launches the bronze-bodied 992GP series with gold-plated finish.
2001
The bronze 992PGP series debuts with new pink-gold plated models.
2002
The 9937PGP series is born, rounding out the all-sterling lineup with pink-gold plated models. Yanagisawa unveils its bronze A-902 alto.
2003
Yanagisawa unveils the T-902, the tenor version of its bronze alto model.
2004
The SC-991 and SC-992 curved soprano models are announced.
2006
Yanagisawa builds the A-9914, the world's first alto saxophone with neck, body, bow, and bell crafted entirely in 14K gold. Reference prototypes are exhibited at the Frankfurt Musikmesse trade show.
2008
The SC-9937 curved soprano sax with all-sterling neck, body, bow, and bell is introduced
2014
The WO series Alto is launched.
2015
The WO series Tenor is launched.
2017
The WO series Soprano is launched.
2018
The WO series Curved soprano, and Baritone are launched.
2019
New ligature the Yany SIXS, and neck screw Yany BooStar are launched.
From Wikipedia’s article on Yanagisawa Wind Instruments, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4