Osamuraisan’s New Model “Koborezakura” Development Process [Deviser Special Showcase 2025]
In the late 2000s, guitarist Osamuraisan began posting performance videos at the dawn of video-sharing sites such as YouTube and Nico Nico Video, and is known as a pioneer of acoustic guitar videos.
Since the reissue of Osamuraisan’s beloved Headway HJ-523 in 2015, Headway has been working with Osamuraisan over the past decade, with the signature model HJ-OSAMURAISAN, which inherited its specifications, being released the following year, 2016, and many other models subsequently released through the years, such as the HJ-OSAMURAISAN II, the HM-OSAMURAISAN, and more.
This May, we will unveil a new model Headway developed in collaboration with Osamuraisan at the “Deviser Special Showcase” event.
New model『KOBOREZAKURA』
As the name suggests, the new model “Headway HF-KOBOREZAKURA” is a guitar made of Sakura wood, which is one of Headway’s specialties.
This article tells the story of how this model came to be developed, along with photos taken recently with Osamuraisan.
Encounter with a Sakura guitar made by Yasuo Momose
For the longest time, we’ve wanted to make a “Sakura motif” Osamuraisan model.
This was triggered by a single Sakura guitar that Osamuraisan encountered back in 2020.
At the time, Osamuraisan consulted with us about having a custom-made guitar made while Mr. Momose was still in good health, and we had the opportunity to have him play and compare the latest models Mr. Momose made at the time for reference on wood and specs. After playing and comparing over a dozen Momose-made guitars, Osamuraisan finally chose a Sakura guitar, the “HM-SAKURA CUSTOM” as the model to be used as the foundation for his next custom-made guitar.
At first, Madagascar rosewood, Jacaranda, and other well-known high-grade rosewoods were the first choice for the back & sides of the custom-made guitar, but Osamuraisan said that he was attracted by “the sweet and gentle sound of Sakura wood” and decided to use Sakura wood for the back & sides of the custom-made guitar.
The birth of Osamuraisan’s Sakura Guitar
Then, using the same specifications of the “HM-SAKURA CUSTOM #003179” as a base, the custom-made Sakura guitar, which became the prototype for the HF-KOBOREZAKURA, was created by reflecting Osamuraisan’s requests.
In response to Osamuraisan’s request, which was “I want a guitar without excessive decoration on the body, and with a good projection, resonance, and richness to it”, the pickguard was removed to maximize the vibration of the top board, while cherry blossom motifs were incorporated on the headstock, fretboard, and rosette around the soundhole, resulting in a balanced look with the gorgeousness of a Sakura guitar.
Although it is not equipped with pickups because it was designed with an emphasis on unplugged sound, Osamuraisan has continued to play it with great care in his live performances to this day, as he plays it live when the occasion calls for it.
The points that were considered important when deciding on the specifications for this custom-made guitar have been retained in the new HF-KOBOREZAKURA model.
This Sakura guitar was featured along with other Headway guitars in the Headway 45th anniversary video released in 2022.
The same points that were emphasized in the custom-made Sakura guitars have been retained in the new HF-KOBOREZAKURA model.
Developing the new model – HF-KOBOREZAKURA
Headway has long wanted to take the specifications and design of Momose’s custom-made Sakura guitar that he made for Osamuraisan and incorporate them into the affordable Headway Japan Tune-up Series (JT Series) like the signature models HJ-OSAMURAISAN and HM-OSAMURAISAN, which were already in the market. However, there were several challenges to achieving this goal.
The biggest challenge was the difficulty in finding Japanese Sakura wood for the JT series, for which the wood processing is done in overseas workshops. The use of Japanese Sakura wood for the back & sides was essential to reproduce the essence of the original model, which is finished without coloration to take advantage of the grain of Sakura wood.
This issue has long been a stumbling block to development, but in 2024, we finally found a way to break through. With the cooperation of timber suppliers, we were able to establish a route to ship domestic Sakura wood overseas.
Thus, Osamuraisan finally had the opportunity to give shape to an idea that he had been warming up to for several years since his first encounter with the Sakura guitar. The development of the “HF-KOBOREZAKURA” began to make a guitar that would be able to be offered to a wider range of users while retaining the essence of that Momose-made sakura guitar, and that goal has been finally met.
Full details and information
Full details and a complete overview will be available on a special website for the Deviser’s Special Showcase event, which will be open to the public on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
However, Osamuraisan’s YouTube channel will feature performance videos using the HF-KOBOREZAKURA ahead of the event, so you should keep an eye on his channel if you want an early preview!
The countdown site is now live!
The 2025 Deviser Special Showcase event will be held on Wednesday, May 21! A special website will open at 6:00 p.m. on that day to announce approximately 150 limited edition models and new products. During the period leading up to the event, a preview of each brand’s hottest products will be posted on the countdown site below, so don’t miss it!
