About Us

The secret to Sakae’s unparalleled design lies in an extensive, vast database – meticulously built over decades of dedication, trial, and refinement. This deep reservoir of knowledge reflects countless combinations of wood ply counts, thicknesses, layering techniques, and subtle design variables, all meticulously evaluated in live and studio environments.

Thanks to invaluable feedback from top-tier artists and sound engineers, Sakae has perfected a unique formula for superior drum design. This results in drums that embody the “Sakae magic”—a sound that is clear and easy to blend into any mix, yet resonates with unmatched clarity and presence. Above all, they deliver a performance that captivates audiences and listeners alike.

Described by Shun Tsuji, SAKAE’s lead artisan, as “sonic sculpting,” our drum creation process goes far beyond engineering. While other drum makers focus on individual sound qualities, SAKAE understands that a drum’s true potential is revealed in its interaction with the rest of the ensemble—its ability to blend seamlessly with other instruments while cutting through the mix with clarity.

Every SAKAE drum is crafted with unique design elements, including our proprietary shell construction, engineered to produce the sought-after SAKAE sound. This sound is renowned for its balanced resonance, deep musical overtones, and perfect harmony with the surrounding instruments. Each drum is meticulously tested, with hundreds of shell designs, thicknesses, depths, materials, and shapes evaluated to ensure precision and excellence.

At SAKAE, no detail is overlooked. Even the smallest elements, such as sound direction, overtone filtering, and vibration transmission, are precisely fine-tuned to create the sublime tone balance that defines the Evolved series.

Proudly designed and hand-finished in Osaka, Japan, the second-generation SAKAE Evolved series features specially selected North American maple, combined with our proprietary shell design and meticulous craftsmanship, resulting in the best sounding SAKAE kit ever created.

With only a limited number of drums released each year, each Evolved kit stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and our passion for creating instruments that inspire musicians around the world.

As SAKAE OSAKA HERITAGE continues to evolve, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of drum-making excellence, guided by our vision, passion, and an unshakable belief in producing the best sounding drums possible.

– Joined Sakae Rhythm Inc. in 1994 – Started in drum production
– 1995 – Product planning / development for major drum manufacturers.
– 2007 – began researching sound design, hardware components and color design that would not be possible with any external major drum makers. This was the beginning of focus on his own ideas and concepts for drum design.
– 2009 – “SAKAE” drums launched.
– 2011 – Introduction of “Almighty” drum kit, sold mainly in Japan. Positive feedback from many famous drummers.
– 2013 – Introduction of “Trilogy”, featuring a more “vintage” sound than Almighty. “SAKAE” began commercial sales worldwide.
– 2015 – Introduction of SAKAE’s flagship model “Celestial”, establishing SAKAE as a premium drum maker.

Shun Tsuji continues his quest for the ideal drum sound, communicating and working with artists, pioneering new ideas and expanding his knowledge and experience as a drum maker.

After graduating from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, he studied industrial design. After designing home appliances, optical, medical and OA equipment, he became a famous in the world of drum design and manufacturing. He excelled in developing, designing, manufacturing technology associated with drums, drum hardware and percussion instruments.

He led design / technology at SAKAE.

Michihiro Tsuchida led design / technology at SAKAE and is currently the chief engineer for SAKAE OSAKA HERITAGE, developing several products such as the Axelandor Pedal, Cajons and the SAKAE supervised VOX TELSTAR 2020 drum kit.