Wonderful, handmade Sadao Yairi classical guitar, model Heaven D, made in Japan in 1964. Here's roughly what the label says in English: "I meticulously crafted this guitar for the enthusiasts. 1964, Sadao Yairi Heaven D" This Guitar's Story: Sadao Yairi is a legendary figure of the golden era of Japanese guitar making. After learning the art of instrument carving at the Nagoya Suzuki Violin Company in the 1920s, he opened his own independent workshop in 1932. Originally, Sadao made steel-string acoustic guitars. However, around 1940, he encountered a high-quality foreign-made classical guitar for the first time. Mesmerized by its tone, he devoted his time to studying its construction. Because of World War II, it wasn’t until the early 1960s that his classical guitars became his main line of production. This guitar was produced exactly at that time. While many guitar manufacturers shifted toward mass production, Sadao fiercely resisted. He carefully trained his craftsmen and sculpted the wood by hand, "listening with his hands". Because of this, his vintage 1960s classical guitars are highly sought after today for their projection, lightweight build, and rich, matured resonance. It goes without saying that this guitar is a sensational piece of Japanese luthiery. Check the demo video I recorded playing the guitar: https://youtu.be/jxaG1oLwB4s Here's a look at Sadao Yairi's models in the early to mid '60s: 聖 (Saint / Holy) — The Absolute Pinnacle 神 (God) — Elite Master-Tier 天 (Ten: Heaven) — Premium Artistic Tier (This model) 地 (Chi: Earth) — Mid-Tier Performance/Utilitarian 人 (Jin: Human) — Standard/Student Tier Therefore, the Heaven D (Ten is heaven in Japanese) was a high-end model. It has a mellow, warm, nostalgic, balanced sound. It sounds great for both Classical and modern music (Folk, Indie, etc). It currently has medium tension nylon strings. The wood used on this guitar definitely looks particular and has a breathtaking pattern, especially on the back & sides. There is some black paint stains, presumably from a marker, around the rosette and in some places of the body. There is some dust inside, I tried to clean it the best I could but it would benefit from a more accurate cleaning. The tuning machines still work but are a bit "squeaky" and worn. There is little room to lower the saddle, even though I wouldn't suggest it as the guitar sounds nice with the current string height. But this will be up to each player's preference. "Yairi Japan" is engraved in the front of the headstock, it is a very nice touch that reflects the handmade nature of the instrument, though it is not very visible. A hard case is included, please consider it a gift because it is worn and it has many imperfections. I am only including it to ensure a safer shipment for the guitar. Please check the photos and the videos carefully, they are the best way to understand the guitar's condition & sound. This guitar is more than 60 years old, so adjust your expectations accordingly: - it may have scratches, blemishes, cracks and imperfections - the inside structure may have issues like detachments - there may be rust on the tuning machines - it will feel different compared to a new instrument - it has not been professionally setup, so adjustments may be needed to improve its playability I'd suggest it to people who have some experience with vintage guitars and are willing to make adjustments down the line, or who can embrace the imperfections in exchange for a special sound and vibe.