​The design series of piano manufacturers continues. Recently, we published an article about how piano factories are shaping their instruments with various design strategies to meet their customers' needs and modern desires. It seems that the simple classic black or brown piano appears "boring" to today's buyers.​
 

Bösendorfer has unveiled a designer grand piano crafted especially for EXPO 2025 in Osaka, symbolizing local craftsmanship and highlighting the central role of culture in Austria and Lower Austria. ​

This piano, named "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," pays tribute to the renowned Japanese artwork by Katsushika Hokusai. Part of Hokusai's series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," this piece is arguably the most famous Japanese artwork, having inspired artists like Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Camille Claudel, and Gustav Klimt, as well as composers such as Giacomo Puccini and Claude Debussy.​
 

The artwork has been meticulously scaled to fit the piano lid, with the motif transferred to its underside using a special printing process. The color scheme extends with Prussian blue variants adorning the inner rim and matching upholstery on the piano bench. The red cast iron frame and Hokusai's signature on the music stand reflect the significance of red in Japanese culture, symbolizing the sun and serving as a protective color often seen on traditional torii gates, marking transitions from the everyday to the spiritual world.​

The interplay of blue and red hues creates a dynamic tension, representing the balance between intensity and harmony, activity and calm.

This Collector’s Item grand piano, model 214VC, is limited to 16 instruments worldwide, a number referencing the 16-petal chrysanthemum seal of the Japanese Imperial Court. Each piano features an individually numbered plaque, enhancing its exclusivity. ​

This collaboration between Japanese art and Austrian craftsmanship not only showcases Bösendorfer's dedication to artistic excellence but also reflects a broader trend in the piano industry to innovate and appeal to contemporary aesthetics, moving beyond traditional designs to captivate modern audiences.