We had known each other for a long time. I still remember when I met at Musikmesse Frankfurt about 10 years ago.

I went around every booth to find out the best cymbal at the fair, and finally found great sounding cymbal at the last day which I do believed it was old K one. At the first day and on the last day I asked Robert to buy that old K cymbals. And he laughed and told me “I recognized you had came here everyday to check these cymbals without talking to me, Actually these are not old K Zildjian, I made these cymbals” ….I couldn’t believe my ears, and surprised at his craftsmanship.

I introduced myself to him. When I gave my business card to him , he was so surprised with my company name. Because he also had gotten a Zelkova snare drum from my friend who exhibited Canopus snare drum at the fair for me.

After the story, we recognized as a special craftsman in the same industry each other at that time. I'm so happy to know he loved our drum.

If it’s possible, I want to apologize him now. Because I had promised to go to Musikmesse Frankfurt again to see him a couple of years ago and I could not go there. I heard from my staff that he missed me very much. I want to tell him "I missed you so much" right now.

I appreciate that I could share a good time in my life with him.
May he rest in peace.

Shinichi Usuda / President of CANOPUS