Headway HD-KYOZAKURA'26/ATB [Model exhibited at the Deviser Grand Business Meeting 2026] Headway

The "2026 Kyoto Cherry Blossom Model" is a fusion of Kyoto weaving and cherry wood.

Kyoto, a city steeped in history and symbolic of Japan. The "Kyo-Sakura Model," made with rare Kyoto-grown cherry wood cultivated in this city known for its cherry blossoms, will be released in a new design in 2026!
This model features special specifications inspired by the scenery and culture of Kyoto.
Inspired by the image of weeping cherry blossoms blooming along a river and a woman holding a traditional Japanese umbrella, this guitar incorporates a uniquely Japanese aesthetic throughout. Furthermore, a collaboration with Kyoto textile company "Tatenoya" resulted in original Kyoto textile designs being used for the label and soundhole cover. The pickguard features the traditional Japanese "Tatewaku" pattern, which represents the flow of water and the natural cycle, expressing a refined and emotionally resonant world view characteristic of Kyoto.


[Collaboration with Kyoto weaving brand "Tatenoya"]
In 2024, when we first obtained Kyoto-grown cherry wood and began creating our first Kyo-Sakura model, we wanted to create a chemical reaction with Kyoto's traditional culture, and that's how the project started. What we arrived at was "Kyo-ori," which utilizes the techniques of Nishijin weaving. We resonated with the originality born from the playful spirit unique to a weaver, and the unconventional, free-thinking idea of ​​"weaving anything that can be woven," and that's how the collaboration was born.


[Head Design]
The headstock design, which is the face of the guitar, features a refined design that contrasts with the ornate body. This design, which combines cherry blossoms and branches, is themed around Kyoto, and upon closer inspection, something becomes apparent.


[Fretboard Inlays]
When you think of cherry blossoms in Kyoto, images of riversides, such as the Kamo River, come to mind. We carefully combined wood parts and acrylic materials to incorporate the flow of the river and cherry blossoms into the fretboard design.


[Body Top]
Based on purple, the theme color of the ancient capital, we have applied "Kyoto Purple," a special color for our Kyoto-made cherry wood models, to the Kyoto-made cherry wood in this product, creating a vertical gradient color scheme.


[Body bag]
The design depicts a woman with a Japanese umbrella walking through a flurry of cherry blossoms in full bloom, reminiscent of the weeping cherry trees that bloom along the Kamo River. This scene, which occurs during a vibrant spring moment, is expressed through the craftsmanship of artisans who utilize intricate inlay work and painting techniques.


[Pickguard]
In addition to the purple body color, there is also a gorgeous gold, a color that evokes the image of Kyoto. The pickguard is designed with thin brass lines in the traditional Japanese "Tatewaku" pattern. The design embodies the cycle of water flowing from the fretboard to the sea, rising as mist, becoming clouds, and returning to the river as rain, symbolizing a long and enjoyable guitar life.



The latest structure of the ATB series is adopted.

[Headway's thinnest Extra Slim U Neck]
Breaking away from the traditional Headway neck image, this guitar features the "Extra Slim U Neck," which prioritizes thinness. While maintaining the stability that is a hallmark of Headway necks, rigidity is enhanced by the "High Strength Neck" specification, which incorporates a carbon bar. The carbon bar not only improves stability but also suppresses unnecessary neck flex, allowing string vibrations to be transmitted smoothly to the body top, thus improving the expressiveness of the high frequencies.


[Semi-forward shifted bracing]
Headway Master Builder Yasuo Momose inherited a bracing design he developed after studying the bracing of a vintage 1934 guitar. The X-shaped cross position is semi-forward shifted, closer to the soundhole, resulting in better bass response and a fuller sound than when new. The design also takes into consideration the stability of the top plate, as it is positioned about 5mm closer to the bridge than a standard forward shift.


Bar Top
Kuroezomatsu

Body Side & Back
Sakura (from Kyoto Prefecture) with 3P Center: Tochi

Neck
African Mahogany 1P

Fingerboard
Ebony

Nut
High-density bone (buffalo bone)

Saddle
High-density bone (buffalo bone)

Bridge
Ebony

Machineheads
GOTOH(R)? SGV510Z VL5 GG

Frets
HHF-AG2S

Scale
645mm (25.4 inches)

Neck Grip
Extra Slim U Grip

Width at Nut
43mm

Fingerboard Radius
400R

Bracing
Semi Forward Shifted, Scalloped X Bracing

Finish
Thin Urethane

Strings
Elixir(R) NANOWEB Light(.012-.053)

Accessories
Hard case, hex wrench, warranty card, soundhole cover