Yanagisawa Wind Instruments Co., Ltd. is a Japanese woodwind instrument manufacturing company known for its range of professional grade saxophones. Along with Yamaha, they are one of the leading manufacturers of saxophones in their country of origin. The company currently manufactures sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. In the United States, Yanagisawa products are commercialized and distributed by Conn-Selmer, a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments. History The history of woodwind manufacturing in Japan had its origins in 1894 when Tokutaro Yanagisawa began repairing imported woodwinds for military band members. Within that wartime setting, 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, and 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, which became the first Yanagisawa saxophones exported under Yanagisawa's own name. In 1980, the 500 series was introduced for sale under other brands in the student/intermediate market. The Yanagisawa name soon became known for the impeccable workmanship, accurate intonation, and playability of its products. With the growth of Yanagisawa's reputation, interest in finding Yanagisawa instruments sold under other brands 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 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)