In being on the look out for nice Ukuleles I come across a few small, possibly part time luthiers from Japan who's Ukuleles I usually only see advertised for sale in music shops, and if they have any web presence it is in a language that is difficult for me to translate. Very often there is little information on them beyond a name and sometimes a brand name, however the instruments they make look very well made and worthy of note.
Started out making furniture in Yorii in 1994 and still makes furniture now, but he also makes Charrangos and other instruments including Ukuleles too these days All of the instruments he makes are constructed Cuk fashion, with a bowl back and neck carved from one piece of wood. Another distinctive feature he often uses is the open headstock
As the name suggests he maps mainly Guitars including some very impressive Harp Guitars, but over the years he has made some Ukuleles too. He started out in the 1970's working in one of the Japanese instrument factories and decided to start up on his own in 1991 when he opened a workshop in Takato, Nagano prefecture. Apparently in 2006 his order books were full until 2016
Makoto Tsuruta - Crane
He has been in business since before 1995 and specialises in making historical Chordophones, (also providing plans of these in Japanese for other luthiers), so his output is very varied but it does include Soprano Ukuleles, Harp Ukuleles and Braguinhas too. He also makes capo's and supplies gut strings in Japan
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