Difference between revisions of "Asanuma Shōkai"

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m (more plausible date)
(Asanuma Shokai still exists, Asanuma Shashinki-ten was a different company, more pics)
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|| ''Addresses of Asanuma Shōkai, in a catalogue dated October 1941. {{public domain Japan old}}''
 
|| ''Addresses of Asanuma Shōkai, in a catalogue dated October 1941. {{public domain Japan old}}''
 
|}
 
|}
−
'''Asanuma''' was a Japanese distributor of photographic supplies from the late 1860s to the 1960s and perhaps later. It manufactured its own large-format studio or field cameras, and also some amateur cameras in the 1910s and 1920s.
+
'''Asanuma''' has been a Japanese distributor of photographic supplies from the late 1860s to the present day (2008). It manufactured its own large-format studio or field cameras, and also some amateur cameras in the 1910s and 1920s. Today it is best known for its range of accessories sold under the brand '''King''' (キング).
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
The shop was founded in 1867 by Asanuma Tōkichi (浅沼藤吉).<REF> The June 1901 catalogue of Asanuma Shōten, [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=1&ITYPE=0 available in electronic form] at the [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/ National Diet Library], contains a portrait of Asanuma Tōkichi on [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=3&ITYPE=0 this page] and says "Established 1867" on [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=163&ITYPE=0 this page]. (Lewis, p.4, says that the shop was founded in 1871 by "Asanuma Tokichi".) </REF> By 1901, the company was called '''Asanuma Shōten''' (浅沼商店),<REF> 淺沼商店 in older orthography. </REF> and the address was Nihonbashi-ku Honchō 2-chōme in Tokyo (東京日本橋区本町二丁目). <REF> 淺沼商店 in older orthography. Source: June 1901 catalogue of Asanuma Shōten, [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=1&ITYPE=0 available in electronic form] at the [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/ National Diet Library]. This document contains a picture of the shop's building on [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=3&ITYPE=0 this page], and various pictures of the show rooms and manufacturing departments on the following pages. </REF> Some years later, its name was changed to '''Asanuma Shōkai''' (浅沼商会,<REF> 淺沼商會 in older orthography. </REF> i.e. Asanuma trading company). It sold the [[Eagle plate folders]] around 1915<REF> Lewis, p.24. </REF> and the [[Focal Happy]] at some later date. It was certainly the owner of the Happy brand, later used on the [[Nifca and Molta plate folders|Happy plate folder]] made by [[Minolta|Molta]].
+
The shop was founded in 1867 by Asanuma Tōkichi (浅沼藤吉).<REF> The June 1901 catalogue of Asanuma Shōten, [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=1&ITYPE=0 available in electronic form] at the [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/ National Diet Library], contains a portrait of Asanuma Tōkichi on [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=3&ITYPE=0 this page] and says "Established 1867" on [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=163&ITYPE=0 this page]. (Lewis, p.4, says that the shop was founded in 1871 by "Asanuma Tokichi".) </REF> By 1901, the company was called '''Asanuma Shōten''' (浅沼商店),<REF> 淺沼商店 in older orthography. </REF> and the address was Nihonbashi-ku Honchō 2-chōme in Tokyo (東京日本橋区本町二丁目). <REF> 淺沼商店 in older orthography. Source: June 1901 catalogue of Asanuma Shōten, [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=1&ITYPE=0 available in electronic form] at the [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/ National Diet Library]. This document contains a picture of the shop's building on [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=3&ITYPE=0 this page], and various pictures of the show rooms and manufacturing departments on the following pages. </REF> Some years later, its name was changed to '''Asanuma Shōkai''' (浅沼商会,<REF> 淺沼商會 in older orthography. </REF> i.e. Asanuma trading company). It sold the [[Eagle plate folders]] around 1915<REF> Lewis, p.24. </REF> and the [[Focal Happy]] at some later date. It was certainly the owner of the Happy (ハッピー) brand, later used on the [[Nifca and Molta plate folders|Happy plate folder]] made by [[Minolta|Molta]]. The brand name King (キング) was already in use for accessories in the mid-1930s.<REF> Oldest appearance observed so far: leaflet reproduced in this page, dating c.1936 (''Danzen kesshutsu shita kokusan kamera''). </REF>
  
−
Asanuma distributed the various [[Minolta]] models of the Molta and later the Chiyoda Kōgaku company. It apparently had the exclusive right to sell these cameras from c.1933 to the end of the second world war. After the war it still appears as an authorized dealer of the Minolta cameras, until at least as late as 1952, often together with [[Misuzu Shōkai]]. It was still in existence in 1959–60 and advertised [[Taron]] and King products; its main address at the time was Chūō-ku Nihonbashi Takarachō 3–3 (中央区日本橋宝町3–3) in central Tokyo.<REF> March 1959 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.254; 1960 advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]] Annual '60''. </REF>
+
From c.1933, Asanuma distributed the [[Nifca and Molta plate folders|Happy]] and the various [[Minolta]] models of the Molta company, later Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō. It apparently had the exclusive right to sell these cameras until the end of the second world war. After the war it still appears as an authorized dealer of the Minolta cameras, until at least as late as 1952, often together with [[Misuzu Shōkai]].
  
−
Asanuma also distributed the Congo lenses of [[Yamasaki]], whose founder was a former employee of the company.<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]; Inoue, p.130; Baird, p.59. </REF> The Congo lenses appear in wartime Asanuma catalogues,<REF> Asanuma Shōkai. ''Shashinki to zairyō'', October 1941. </REF> and the company was still an authorized dealer of Yamasaki in 1960.<REF> Advertisement for the Congo lenses published in ''[[Asahi Camera]] Annual '60''. </REF>
+
Asanuma also distributed the Congo lenses of [[Yamasaki]], whose founder was a former employee of the company.<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]; Inoue, p.130; Baird, p.59. </REF> The Congo lenses appear in wartime Asanuma catalogues,<REF> Asanuma Shōkai. ''Shashinki to zairyō'', October 1941. </REF> and the company was still an authorized dealer of Yamasaki in 1959–60.<REF> Advertisement for the Congo lenses published in ''[[Asahi Camera]] Annual '60''. </REF> At the same era, it was also advertising [[Taron]] products; its main address was Chūō-ku Nihonbashi Takarachō 3–3 (中央区日本橋宝町3–3) in central Tokyo.<REF> March 1959 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.254. </REF>
 +
 
 +
Today (2008), the company sells many accessories under its own King brand. The headquarters is in the Nihonbashi Building.<REF> The exact address is Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Nihonbashi 1–2–8 Nihonbashi Building 5th–6th floors (東京都中央区日本橋1丁目2番8号ニホンバシビル5階･6階), according to the [http://www.asanuma.gr.jp/GAIYOU/gaiyou.html official company profile]. </REF>
  
 
== Advertisements ==
 
== Advertisements ==
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|-
 
|-
 
|| ''Advertisements by Asanuma in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' June 1932. {{public domain Japan old}}''
 
|| ''Advertisements by Asanuma in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' June 1932. {{public domain Japan old}}''
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|}
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/345587341/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/345587341_8481ab040b_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/2530939561/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2530939561_86dfa4f7b1_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Leaflet dating c.1936 for the Minolta and Happy range and King products. {{public domain Japan old}}''
 
|}
 
|}
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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|}
 
|}
  
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== Other ==
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== Asanuma Shashinki-ten ==
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Asanuma distributed Leiket photographic products in 1939: filters, hoods, close-up lenses and a 75/4.5 enlarging lens.<REF> Advertisement on p.8 of {{NSKT}}, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.42 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF>
+
Some advertisements from the late 1920s to the late 1930s show the company name '''Asanuma Shashinki-ten''' (浅沼写真機店) and an address in the Marunouchi Building in Tokyo.<REF> Advertisements in {{ACA}} September 1929 (p.A15) and February 1930 (p.A15); advertisement on p.8 of {{NSKT}}, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.42 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF> In 1939, this company was distributing the Leiket photographic products: filters, hoods, close-up lenses and a 75/4.5 enlarging lens.<REF> Advertisement on p.8 of {{NSKT}}, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.42 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF> It is not known for sure if this company was related to Asanuma Shōkai or not.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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=== Original documents ===
 
=== Original documents ===
 
* {{AR}}. Advertisement by Asanuma Shōkai in April 1922. No page number.
 
* {{AR}}. Advertisement by Asanuma Shōkai in April 1922. No page number.
−
* {{ACA}}. Advertisements by Asanuma Shōkai in February 1930 (pp.A3 and A15) and June 1932 (pp.A18 and A19).
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* {{ACA}}. Advertisements by Asanuma Shashinki-ten in September 1929 (p.A15) and February 1930 (p.A15).
−
* ''[[Asahi Camera]] Annual '60'' (アサヒカメラ年鑑'60). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbun-sha. No ISBN number.
+
* {{ACA}}. Advertisements by Asanuma Shōkai in February 1930 (p.A3) and June 1932 (pp.A18 and A19).
 +
* ''[[Asahi Camera]] Annual '60'' (アサヒカメラ年鑑'60). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbun-sha, February 25, 1960. Advertisement by [[Yamasaki|Yamasaki Kōgaku Kenkyūjo]]. No page number.
 
* Asanuma Shōkai. ''Shashinki to zairyō'' (Cameras and supplies). Catalogue dated October 1941. P.16. Document partly reproduced in [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157602475194663/ this Flickr album] by Rebollo_fr.
 
* Asanuma Shōkai. ''Shashinki to zairyō'' (Cameras and supplies). Catalogue dated October 1941. P.16. Document partly reproduced in [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157602475194663/ this Flickr album] by Rebollo_fr.
 
* Asanuma Tōkichi (浅沼藤吉). ''Shashin kikai oyobi yakuhin shashinban oyobi sekiban kigu zukai mokuroku'' (写真機械及薬品写真版及石版器具図解目録, Illustrated catalogue of photographic materials, chemicals and lithography tools). Tōkyō: Asanuma Shōten (浅沼商店), June 1901. [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=1&ITYPE=0 Available in electronic form] at the [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/ National Diet Library].
 
* Asanuma Tōkichi (浅沼藤吉). ''Shashin kikai oyobi yakuhin shashinban oyobi sekiban kigu zukai mokuroku'' (写真機械及薬品写真版及石版器具図解目録, Illustrated catalogue of photographic materials, chemicals and lithography tools). Tōkyō: Asanuma Shōten (浅沼商店), June 1901. [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/BIImgFrame.php?JP_NUM=40072393&VOL_NUM=00000&KOMA=1&ITYPE=0 Available in electronic form] at the [http://kindai.ndl.go.jp/ National Diet Library].
−
* {{NSKT1000}} Advertisement on p.42, corresponding to p.8 of the December 15, 1939 issue.
+
* Leaflet for the Minolta and Happy range and King accessories, dating c.1936. ''Danzen kesshutsu shita kokusan kamera'' (断然傑出した国産カメラ, Definitely excellent Japan-made cameras). Document owned by Andrea Apra and reproduced in [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157600606254958/ this Flickr album] by Rebollo_fr.
 +
* {{NSKT1000}} Advertisement by Asanuma Shashinki-ten on p.42, corresponding to p.8 of the December 15, 1939 issue.
  
 
=== Modern sources ===
 
=== Modern sources ===
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* {{Lewis}}
 
* {{Lewis}}
 
* {{McKeown12}} P.85.
 
* {{McKeown12}} P.85.
 +
 +
== Links ==
 +
In Japanese:
 +
* [http://www.asanuma.gr.jp/GAIYOU/gaiyou.html Company profile] in the [http://www.asanuma.gr.jp/ Asanuma official website]
  
 
[[Category: Japanese distributors]]
 
[[Category: Japanese distributors]]
 +
[[Category: Japanese camera makers]]

Revision as of 22:21, 29 May 2008

1602601860_6cd7a7028b_m_d.jpg
Addresses of Asanuma Shōkai, in a catalogue dated October 1941. (Image rights)

Asanuma has been a Japanese distributor of photographic supplies from the late 1860s to the present day (2008). It manufactured its own large-format studio or field cameras, and also some amateur cameras in the 1910s and 1920s. Today it is best known for its range of accessories sold under the brand King (キング).

History

The shop was founded in 1867 by Asanuma Tōkichi (浅沼藤吉).[1] By 1901, the company was called Asanuma Shōten (浅沼商店),[2] and the address was Nihonbashi-ku Honchō 2-chōme in Tokyo (東京日本橋区本町二丁目). [3] Some years later, its name was changed to Asanuma Shōkai (浅沼商会,[4] i.e. Asanuma trading company). It sold the Eagle plate folders around 1915[5] and the Focal Happy at some later date. It was certainly the owner of the Happy (ハッピー) brand, later used on the Happy plate folder made by Molta. The brand name King (キング) was already in use for accessories in the mid-1930s.[6]

From c.1933, Asanuma distributed the Happy and the various Minolta models of the Molta company, later Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō. It apparently had the exclusive right to sell these cameras until the end of the second world war. After the war it still appears as an authorized dealer of the Minolta cameras, until at least as late as 1952, often together with Misuzu Shōkai.

Asanuma also distributed the Congo lenses of Yamasaki, whose founder was a former employee of the company.[7] The Congo lenses appear in wartime Asanuma catalogues,[8] and the company was still an authorized dealer of Yamasaki in 1959–60.[9] At the same era, it was also advertising Taron products; its main address was Chūō-ku Nihonbashi Takarachō 3–3 (中央区日本橋宝町3–3) in central Tokyo.[10]

Today (2008), the company sells many accessories under its own King brand. The headquarters is in the Nihonbashi Building.[11]

Advertisements

2430287179_f18833aef3_d.jpg 2217871352_8ec74d3a2e_d.jpg
Advertisement by Asanuma in Ars Camera April 1922.
(Image rights) 		Advertisement by Asanuma in Asahi Camera February 1930.
(Image rights)
2221762920_b113bd5ecf_d.jpg 2220973299_8c9d3c3507_d.jpg
Advertisements by Asanuma in Asahi Camera June 1932. (Image rights)
345587341_8481ab040b_d.jpg 2530939561_86dfa4f7b1_d.jpg
Leaflet dating c.1936 for the Minolta and Happy range and King products. (Image rights)
1602503010_d14038c698_m_d.jpg 1602601866_6476965ee0_m_d.jpg
Cover and back cover of the October 1941 Asanuma catalogue. (Image rights)

Asanuma Shashinki-ten

Some advertisements from the late 1920s to the late 1930s show the company name Asanuma Shashinki-ten (浅沼写真機店) and an address in the Marunouchi Building in Tokyo.[12] In 1939, this company was distributing the Leiket photographic products: filters, hoods, close-up lenses and a 75/4.5 enlarging lens.[13] It is not known for sure if this company was related to Asanuma Shōkai or not.

Notes

  1. ↑ The June 1901 catalogue of Asanuma Shōten, available in electronic form at the National Diet Library, contains a portrait of Asanuma Tōkichi on this page and says "Established 1867" on this page. (Lewis, p.4, says that the shop was founded in 1871 by "Asanuma Tokichi".)
  2. ↑ 淺沼商店 in older orthography.
  3. ↑ 淺沼商店 in older orthography. Source: June 1901 catalogue of Asanuma Shōten, available in electronic form at the National Diet Library. This document contains a picture of the shop's building on this page, and various pictures of the show rooms and manufacturing departments on the following pages.
  4. ↑ 淺沼商會 in older orthography.
  5. ↑ Lewis, p.24.
  6. ↑ Oldest appearance observed so far: leaflet reproduced in this page, dating c.1936 (Danzen kesshutsu shita kokusan kamera).
  7. ↑ Yamasaki history page; Inoue, p.130; Baird, p.59.
  8. ↑ Asanuma Shōkai. Shashinki to zairyō, October 1941.
  9. ↑ Advertisement for the Congo lenses published in Asahi Camera Annual '60.
  10. ↑ March 1959 advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.254.
  11. ↑ The exact address is Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Nihonbashi 1–2–8 Nihonbashi Building 5th–6th floors (東京都中央区日本橋1丁目2番8号ニホンバシビル5階･6階), according to the official company profile.
  12. ↑ Advertisements in Asahi Camera September 1929 (p.A15) and February 1930 (p.A15); advertisement on p.8 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.42 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku.
  13. ↑ Advertisement on p.8 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.42 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku.

Bibliography

Original documents

  • Ars Camera. Advertisement by Asanuma Shōkai in April 1922. No page number.
  • Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Asanuma Shashinki-ten in September 1929 (p.A15) and February 1930 (p.A15).
  • Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Asanuma Shōkai in February 1930 (p.A3) and June 1932 (pp.A18 and A19).
  • Asahi Camera Annual '60 (アサヒカメラ年鑑'60). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbun-sha, February 25, 1960. Advertisement by Yamasaki Kōgaku Kenkyūjo. No page number.
  • Asanuma Shōkai. Shashinki to zairyō (Cameras and supplies). Catalogue dated October 1941. P.16. Document partly reproduced in this Flickr album by Rebollo_fr.
  • Asanuma Tōkichi (浅沼藤吉). Shashin kikai oyobi yakuhin shashinban oyobi sekiban kigu zukai mokuroku (写真機械及薬品写真版及石版器具図解目録, Illustrated catalogue of photographic materials, chemicals and lithography tools). Tōkyō: Asanuma Shōten (浅沼商店), June 1901. Available in electronic form at the National Diet Library.
  • Leaflet for the Minolta and Happy range and King accessories, dating c.1936. Danzen kesshutsu shita kokusan kamera (断然傑出した国産カメラ, Definitely excellent Japan-made cameras). Document owned by Andrea Apra and reproduced in this Flickr album by Rebollo_fr.
  • Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin (日本写真興業通信). Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku (百号ごと十回の記録, Ten records, every hundred issues). Tokyo: Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin Sha (日本写真興業通信社), 1967. No ISBN number. Advertisement by Asanuma Shashinki-ten on p.42, corresponding to p.8 of the December 15, 1939 issue.

Modern sources

Links

In Japanese:

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