As a result, Torakusu became fascinated with machines and technology, in addition to his interests in martial arts and kendo.

In his twenties, Japanese society changed rapidly with the arrival of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, and Torakusu saw many opportunities as the era brought Westernization and the introduction of new technologies to Japan.

[1] In 1887, two months after the project started, Torakusu and his colleague produced the first Japanese-made reed organ.

[citation needed] In March 1888, Torakusu used an abandoned Hamamatsu Temple to make organs with the help of carpenters and cabinet makers.

[citation needed] In 1887, Torakusu founded Nippon Gakki Co Ltd. and used a drawing of a Chinese phoenix holding a tuning fork in its beak as the company's logo.

In 1889, the Minister of Education asked the president of Nippon Gakki to look into the administration system and working conditions of musical instruments in schools.

[4] In 1899, Torakusu made a five-month tour to the United States, visiting W.W. Kimball and Company, Mason and Hamlin, and Steinway and Sons.

Torakusu taught instrument making to an apprentice named Koichi Kawai, who was 11 years old at the time, during his early career as the founder of the company Nippon Gakki.