ABOUT

August 1980
To: The Ambassador of Japan
Re: Reason for Hiring James W. Robinson

Japanese string instrument players have as high a level of technique as those in western countries and are respected for this all over the world.
The instruments which they use need adjusting, repairing and restoring, so there is a very close relationship between a violin shop and player, or violin maker and player. In spite of the high level of players, many of whom own old ( 17th, 18th, 19th century) and rare violins like those made by Antonio Stradivari, there is no violin maker or repairer in Japan with a comparably high level of technique. Therefore, these players have to rely upon violin makers in western countries for quality work on their instruments. In short, 4000 — 5000 precious violins (price ranging from Y3, 000, 000 — Y70, 000, 000) have already been imported, however knowledge of how to maintain these instruments is poor in Japan.
J. W. Robinson is only 31 years old, but he studied violin making in Cremona, Italy (which is the most famous place for violin making, where Amati, Stradivari and Guarnerius worked in the 17t and 18th century) learning technique and judgment. Subsequently he studied repairing and restoring in England where he systematized all of those techniques. Furthermore, he studied in the USA, which is the best place to learn how to make a good sound in instruments.
At present, nobody has those techniques and can be a leader. He is, not only, the person who can teach these techniques to violin makers (50 including 6 in our employment), but also, he is necessary for keeping the precious instruments in Japan, in the best condition.
My company has been asked to invite such a professional person by professors at the Tokyo Fine Arts University for 3 years.
After a strict selection (including personality) , we chose J. W. Robinson from 16 good western violin makers.
I have gotten his agreement and invited him to work at my company.
(Signed) Kanda & Co. Ltd President: Yuko Kanda

In 1971, I left New York City and sailed on the 'Michelangelo' to Italy to study violin making in Cremona, Italy with the renowned masters Gio Batta Morassi, G. Scarabotto and Francesco Bissolotti.

Since those early days I have worked as a violin maker and restorer in London, New York, Boston, Tokyo, Singapore, Portland, Hawaii, and Sydney, always at very famous violin shops or independently. A journey of more than 50 years, making more than 300 instruments and almost countless repairs and restorations.

Won four international awards for craftsmanship and tone quality.
Listed in four publications/directories of violin makers*(see below).
A viola I made achieved the highest auction price of any Australian living violin maker at a prominent international violin auction house (Tarisio- Fine Instruments and Bows, online auctions).
One of the most well-known, internationally, of all Australian living violin makers.

Now, as a senior member of this trade, the journey continues.

Academic degrees from the U.S. and Australia,

in Psychology (B.Sc.) and Horticulture (double major) from the University of The State of New York, with major coursework at The University of Hawaii.

Business Administration (MBA) from James Cook University, Cairns, and many, many courses in 'professional development'

and Professional cert. in Neuroscience from the University of Melbourne.

From Bachelor of Science to Masters. I maintain many other interests, some for decades. A true proponent of 'lifelong learning'

References

*Coggins, Alan (2009), Violin and Bow Makers of Australia. Write Light Pty Ltd., Pg 159-160.

Harvey,Brian (1995), The Violin and its Makers in the British Isles (An Illustrated History and Directory). Oxford University Press. Pg 379.

Alburger, Mary Anne (1978), The Violin Makers (Portrait of a Living Craft). The Camelot Press Ltd. Pg 138-142.

Wenberg, Thomas James (1986). The Violin Makers Of The United States. Mt. Hood Publishing. Pg 248.

(Below is an English Translation of a letter originally in Japanese addressed to the Ambassador of Japan as part of the submissions in getting a visa to work in Japan at Kanda & Company in Tokyo.)

ABOUT

​

In 1971, I left New York City and sailed on the 'Michelangelo' to Italy to study violin making in Cremona, Italy with the renowned masters Gio Batta Morassi, G. Scarabotto and Francesco Bissolotti.

​

​

​

​

​

Won four international awards for craftsmanship and tone quality.

Listed in four publications/directories of violin makers*(see below).

A viola I made achieved the highest auction price of any Australian living violin maker at a prominent international violin auction house (Tarisio- Fine Instruments and Bows, online auctions).

One of the most well-known, internationally, of all Australian living violin makers.

Now, as a senior member of this trade, the journey continues.

​

​

​​

​

Academic degrees from the U.S. and Australia,

​

in Psychology (B.Sc.) and Horticulture (double major) from the University of The State of New York, with major coursework at The University of Hawaii.

​

Business Administration (MBA) from James Cook University, Cairns, and many, many courses in 'professional development'

​

and Professional cert. in Neuroscience from the University of Melbourne.

​

From Bachelor of Science to Masters. I maintain many other interests, some for decades. A true proponent of 'lifelong learning'

​​

​

​

​​​​References​​

​

*Coggins, Alan (2009), Violin and Bow Makers of Australia. Write Light Pty Ltd., Pg 159-160.

Harvey,Brian (1995), The Violin and its Makers in the British Isles (An Illustrated History and Directory). Oxford University Press. Pg 379.

Alburger, Mary Anne (1978), The Violin Makers (Portrait of a Living Craft). The Camelot Press Ltd. Pg 138-142.

Wenberg, Thomas James (1986). The Violin Makers Of The United States. Mt. Hood Publishing. Pg 248.

(Below is an English Translation of a letter originally in Japanese addressed to the Ambassador of Japan as part of the submissions in getting a visa to work in Japan at Kanda & Company in Tokyo.)

​​

​

​

​

References