Roland Corporation (ローランド株式会社, Rōrando Kabushiki Kaisha^?) TYO: 7944 is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005, Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Italy, Taiwan, Japan, and the USA. As of March 31, 2010, it employed 2,699 employees. It has existed in different forms since 1960, making it relatively old among still-operating manufacturers of musical electronics. Known for hundreds of popular synthesizers, drum machines, and other instruments, Roland gained a name as one of the top names in professional music equipment in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Kakehashi founded Ace Electronic Industries in 1960, a manufacturer of numerous combo organs, guitar amplifiers, and effects pedals. He was also contracted by Hammond to produce rhythm machines for the company's line of home organs. In 1973, Kakehashi cut ties with both companies to found Roland.

Roland (Frankish: Hruodland) (died 14 August 778) was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the Matter of France. Historically, Roland was military governor of the Breton March, with responsibility for defending the frontier of Francia against the Bretons. His only historical attestation is in Einhard's Vita Karoli Magni, which describes him as Hruodlandus Brittannici limitis praefectus ("Roland, prefect of the limits of Brittany") when narrating his death at the Battle of Roncesvalles, when the rearguard, under his command, and the baggage train of a Frankish army was beset by rebellious Basques.

Roland's death during retreat from the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in Iberia was transmogrified in later medieval and Renaissance literature. He became the chief paladin of the emperor Charlemagne and a central figure in the legendary material surrounding him, collectively known as the Matter of France. The first and most famous of these epic treatments was the Old French Chanson de Roland of the eleventh century. Two masterpieces of Italian Renaissance poetry, the Orlando innamorato and Orlando furioso, are even further detached from history than the earlier Chansons. Roland is poetically associated with his sword Durendal, his horse Veillantif, and his horn Oliphaunt.

Ikutaro Kakehashi (梯 郁太郎, Kakehashi Ikutarō^?, born in Osaka on February 7, 1930) is an engineer, an entrepreneur, the founder of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments.

During the 1950s, Ikutaro Kakehashi, repaired electronic organs and created new prototype organs, all the while running an electrical appliance shop. At 28, he decided to devote himself to music, the first step of a continuing search for the ideal electronic musical instrument. Ikutaro Kakehashi is best known for founding Roland Corporation. Prior to Roland he started Acetone, an organ company that evolved into Hammond Organ Japan. He left Hammond to start Roland in the early 70s. Ikutaro Kakehashi now assumes the role of Special Consultant, supporting Roland management with his extensive experience and connections. And as chairman of the Roland Foundation, he continues his efforts to contribute to society. In 1991, based upon his great contribution to the development and popularization of electronic instruments, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Berklee College of Music, U.S.A. In 2000, he left his handprints on the Rock Walk Hall of Fame in Hollywood.