World’s first musical instrument sharing service atsumari to launch app

One might think that musical instruments are readily available in Japan, since they can be found in music colleges, music classes, school club activities, hobby circles and home. However, there are various problems and considerations to get hold of musical instruments.

A beta version of “atsumari” was launched in 2018 to tackle this problem. It is an interpersonal musical instrument sharing service that connects people who want to lend musical instruments to people looking to borrow them. The service is the world’s first musical instrument sharing service between individuals.

If they wish, the lender can also sell their instrument should the borrower likes it. The service builds a “win-win” relationship in which people can buy and sell various musical instruments — even costly ones — at a price that both parties agree on. Following the beta version, an app will be scheduled to be released with various improvements this month.

This app’s advantage is how it allows those who no longer use their instruments to lend them can earn extra income. On the other hand, it also grants borrowers weekly access to musical instruments that are too expensive to buy. Moreover, the borrower may return it after the sharing period, or purchase it at a price minus the rental amount they paid up until that point.

“Music brightens people’s feelings. I hope to create a new music community with atsumari,” said CEO & Co-Founder, Atsuto Kizuki.
COO Mario Caporale, a longtime schoolmate of Kizuki who co-founded the service said, “Musical instrument rentals are popular in the United States and Europe, but not in Japan. But research have shown how many have bought a guitar when they are in college in Japan, but put it away when they start working and lacking time to play. Also, you can’t tell whether an instrument is good or bad until you actually try it out. After thinking about how to solve these issues, the sharing economy came to my mind.”

Caporale understood how difficult it is for violin craftsmen to make a living and how the future of the musical instrument industry was not very bright. Upon returning to Japan, he met Kizuki, who was studying business strategy at graduate school at the time. They discussed the difficulties that the luthier industry was facing. Kizuki had been playing the violin since he was a child, so he could sympathize with the problem. After several talks, they decided to bring the sharing economy model into the scene of musical instruments.

In Japan, the first hurdle for picking up an instrument is high because it is a challenge to buy something so expensive. It is especially true if you have no idea whether you’re going to continue or if the instrument is right for you. With atsumari, the co-founders hope that more people will get a chance to start engaging in music by renting an instrument and experience it. In the second phase, both Kizuki and Caporale hope to focus on the craftsmen who make musical instruments too.

“By forming a mechanism of sales, the income of craftsmen will hopefully increase, and the number of players will rise proportionally,” Caporale said. “We hope to expand the service to the entire music industry and create an environment where people can interact with music more easily.”

Music brought to life through these musical instruments passed down from people to people should be harmonious indeed!