The Simple Elegance of Yoshiro Naoki’s Jewelry-Inspired Naturel Ukuleles

BY NICOLAS GRIZZLE | FROM THE WINTER 2024 ISSUE OF UKULELE

Would you wear a ukulele like a necklace? Maybe style an outfit around the instrument? If it is a Naturel ukulele made by Yoshiro Naoki, that might be an appropriate mindset. A jeweler for nearly 20 years before he began making ukuleles in 2002, Naoki taps into his experience with precious metals and gems to craft exquisite ukuleles with a unique style. “I aim to create a ukulele that is not only a musical instrument, but a piece of jewelry,” he says.

Unlike many uke makers, Naoki didn’t start with guitars, and he doesn’t make any other instruments. “I have been making only ukuleles since the beginning,” he says, but concedes, “I have made a kalimba for fun.” At his shop located in Kitanagoya, Japan, about 100 miles east of Osaka, he makes ten to 15 ukuleles per year using not only traditional ukulele woods like koa and mango, but also Japanese woods that bring unique sonic and visual characteristics.

I first encountered Naturel ukuleles at the NAMM musical instrument trade show earlier this year. On a hectic show floor, overstimulated by loud noise, bright lights, and tons and tons of people, these ukuleles caught my eye. Their elegant, simple beauty was a wash of calm. The logo of a hummingbird in mid-flight, inlaid with abalone, looked like a photo taken with an incredibly high shutter speed—a reminder that even at its most rapid pace, life is still just a series of ephemeral moments.

It was too loud to properly hear the instruments during that first encounter, so after leaving the chaos of the convention center I looked them up online to find out what they sounded like. I was surprised to learn from video demos that they somehow sounded even better than they looked. I had to know more about the company and the luthier behind these instruments.

I was able to get in touch with Naoki through social media, and he agreed to an interview via email. Our language barrier proved to be a non-issue, as he gracefully found a way to translate for both of us.

Tell me about your ukuleles. What makes them special or different from others?
I am not particular about the structure of a ukulele as a musical instrument, but I have experience designing jewelry, so the softness of the ukulele body form and
the freedom of shape are important for me to design a ukulele that feels comfortable to play. I am not good at producing a lot of the same thing, so this may be an advantage that sets me apart from other companies.

Another example is the cutaway design. The asymmetrical cutaway design is a balanced form that creates beauty and individuality. Many of my soprano models are also larger at the bottom of the body.

How would you describe the sound of your instruments?
People often say that my ukuleles have a soft and gentle tone. I try to make my ukuleles in such a way that the individuality of the materials is brought out in the sound.

What size ukuleles do you make?
We make mostly concert and soprano sizes, and two or three tenors per year.

Why did you start making them?
When I was in junior high school, my dream was to become a guitar maker. I think I was influenced by the acoustic guitars of folk music that were popular at that time. I liked playing them, but I was also interested in making them. But in reality, I had to give up that dream when I graduated from high school. This was because the acoustic era was beginning to fade and jobs were becoming scarce. However, I loved making things, so I found a job at a jewelry manufacturer and I obtained a first-class technical national certification as a jewelry craftsman.

Although I had built up my career as a craftsman, the appeal and enjoyment of craftsmanship had faded. After about 20 years, I encountered Jake Shimabukuro’s ukulele playing and fell in love with the instrument’s sound and diverse musicality. At the same time, I was awakened to the idea of making musical instruments, which had always been a dream of mine. That was the beginning of my encounter with the ukulele and how I started making them.

What kinds of woods do you use?
We use Hawaiian koa, mahogany, maple, mango wood, etc., but recently we have been using wood from the Tohoku region of Japan, such as cedar,  chestnut, and  tamo, all of which have been buried in the ground for thousands of years. As a ukulele maker, I am fascinated by the romance of these woods that have been buried in the ground for a long time, but have not decayed, and are reborn as ukuleles.

In Japan, wood that has been buried in the ground for many years is called jindai. Because of its rarity and unique properties, jindai cedar is said to produce an attractive tone that is different from other woods when used for musical instruments. The characteristics of jindai cedar, such as deep and rich bass tones, warm midrange tones, and clear and extended treble tones, show various expressions depending on the type of instrument and playing technique.

Jomon sugi, a type of cypress that lives for centuries, develops a dense grain, a unique luster, and a deep, rich hue. There are many alluring qualities to this wood. When used for musical instruments, its distinctive properties are said to produce a captivating sound unlike any other wood. Having grown for centuries and achieving a high density, it produces a rich, deep low end, especially in stringed instruments. It offers a warm, full midrange, making it ideal for woodwinds, where it produces a soft, gentle tone. And while clear and sustained, the high end of jomon sugi also possesses a unique depth not found in other woods. In stringed instruments, it contributes to a complex, beautiful sound with rich harmonics. Having been growing for centuries, jomon sugi is also extremely durable and produces a stable tone for years to come. And as a rare wood created by nature, its beautiful grain gives instruments a unique character. 

What other materials do you use?
For decoration, I use abalone shells, white butterfly shells, etc. I like simple decorations on my ukuleles, so I have never done fancy inlays, but I have used sapphires, rubies, diamonds, and other gems for the position marks on the fingerboard.

How does your experience as a jeweler influence your ukuleles?
To bring out the best in jewelry, it is necessary to have a sense of design that plays a supporting role and makes the whole look beautiful. This is also true of ukulele making. To create a ukulele like a piece of jewelry, one needs to have a good sense of design and technical skill. I am committed to creating more beautiful ukuleles through daily study. 

The ukulele is a beautiful instrument in its own right. I enhance its natural beauty by incorporating curves and organic shapes. For wood and decoration, I use carefully selected materials. In addition to designs that take advantage of the texture of the wood, I sometimes use decorative materials to create a sense of glamour and luxury.

A ukulele is both a musical instrument and a work of art. Therefore, we make sure to finish every detail carefully. The surface of the wood is polished smooth and the decorative materials are carefully placed to give a sense of unity to the entire ukulele. I try to give each ukulele its own personality.

Do you have a favorite of the ukuleles you’ve made?
I like the jindai cedar–top instrument the most among the ukuleles I have made so far.

What is the meaning of the hummingbird in your logo?
Hachidori has various meanings. Among them, it is considered to be a lucky charm. The hummingbird’s small size and hard life remind us of overcoming difficulties and achieving happiness. This is why we chose the hummingbird as our logo.

Do you accept custom orders?
We accept custom orders from a few dealers and individuals in Japan. We sell ukuleles through Takumi Ukulele Company, which is a wholesale distributor in the United States. [Editor’s note: They have also been listed for sale at times at The Ukulele Site, which is based in Hawaii, and at Southern Ukulele Store, which is based in the UK.]

Do you play the ukulele? If so, what is your favorite song to play?
Actually, I am not good at playing. But I want to be good at it! If I had the time to practice, I would want to produce. One song I like to listen to and play is “Close to You” by the Carpenters. I like “Close to You” played by Jake, which was my first encounter with the ukulele.