In one corner of the Uchida Hospital, located on Kosei-dori Minami in Okazaki, is the "Doctor's Studio," as it is known by many jazz musicians. The room is sometimes a studio, sometimes a rehearsal room, and at other times an audio room for record appreciation. In order to enjoy the record collection at its best, with the best possible sound quality, an audio system was assembled that even today's hard-core collectors would envy. Likewise as a recording studio, it was a top-notch facility with high-quality equipment and instruments, and jazz musicians would gather here to rehearse for local concerts or to have after-hours performances.
Private jazz performances played for Dr. Uchida's family, friends, and acquaintances were recorded onto 38cm 2-track tapes. These tapes were for Dr. Uchida's personal listening pleasure, but they also served as a library of previous visitors' tapes and imported records, which many jazz musicians would listen to and use as a reference for their own growth as musicians. It was a true oasis for jazz musicians.


The Doctor's Studio was completed in the mid-1960s. The main contractor was not a carpenter, but a man in the furniture business. The Kondo Furniture Manufacturing Company, which supplied the custom-made teak sofas and chairs, oversaw the making of the studio. The walls, ceiling, and even the doors are either covered with or made entirely from teak wood. In a way, it is as if a huge piece of furniture were turned into a room; stepping into the room is like walking into another world. The andon lamp made of unblemished teak shavings which was once fixed onto the wall of the studio is today preserved by the City of Okazaki, as part of the collection.


ȘOn January 11, 1993, the day the collection was donated to Okazaki City, the last live concert was performed in the Doctor's Studio.
From the left: Akira Miyazawa (ts; now deceased), Nobuyoshi Ino (b), Motohiko Hino (ds; now deceased), Mitsuhiko Sato (pf)


ȘThe recording booth in the DoctorŐs Studio. In front is the Sony 38.2-track professional tape recorder; to the right is the custom-made mixing board.


ȘThe custom-made Yamaha 3C oak piano which resided in the DoctorŐs Studio for many years. It was played by many pianists, including Toshiko Akiyoshi, Masabumi Kikuchi, Mitsuhiko Sato, and Fumio Karashima. In front is the custom-made stainless soundproof wall.


ȘThe drum set that was brought in for Motohiko Hino (now deceased) while he was hospitalized, to play when he was feeling well. It was kept there to commemorate his complete recovery, and many drummers have played it since.

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