Miyazawa flutes are renowned for their handcrafted precision, and their serial numbers are the key to unlocking the specific history, model, and manufacture date of an instrument
Miyazawa Flutes, established in 1969 by Kiichi Miyazawa in Tokyo, Japan, has become one of the world’s premier handmade flute manufacturers. Unlike mass-produced instruments, Miyazawa’s serial numbers follow a complex, non-linear system that reflects production evolution, model changes, and workshop practices. This paper provides the first complete English-language compilation of Miyazawa serial number chronologies, decoding methodologies, and exceptions. It serves as a definitive reference for collectors, repair technicians, and historians to accurately date any Miyazawa flute produced between 1969 and 2026. Miyazawa Serial Numbers
Trill Key Strap: On some older models (like the PA-201E), the number may be stamped into the small metal strap at the top that houses the trill keys. It serves as a definitive reference for collectors,
Why this matters: A seller might list a flute as a "PA-402" because the serial number matches a 2005 production date, but the stamp on the body may actually read "EX," significantly changing the value. : Look closely on the rib (the long
: Look closely on the rib (the long metal strip connecting the keys to the body) under the trill keys or near the C key. Near the Barrel