Masaru Kohno (1926 - 1986)
Japan

Born in Mito City, Japan, he studied woodworking at the Tokyo University of Arts and Crafts. Developing an interest in guitar making, he apprenticed for six months in the workshop of Arcangel Fernandez in Spain. Most of his training involved sitting quietly at the back of the workshop, carefully observing Fernandez at work.

After completing his studies in Barcelona, he returned to Tokyo in 1960 and established his own workshop. He quickly gained recognition among Japanese guitarists. In 1967, he won the gold medal in guitar making at the Elizabeth's Concours National de Guitares in Belgium, judged by Ignacio Fleta, Robert Bouchet, Joaquín Rodrigo, and Alirio Díaz.