Difference between revisions of "Bikōdō"

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== Prewar and wartime Bikōdō ==
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'''Bikōdō''' (美光堂) was a Japanese distributor and manufacturer of cameras and leaf shutters, from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. It was related to the manufacturer [[Mori|Mori Seisakusho]].
'''Bikōdō''' (美光堂) was a Japanese company, mentioned in 1937 as the distributor or maker of the [[Reex]] 6&times;9 folder.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;343 (item 320). </REF> During the war, Bikōdō made some shutters called Compur, copies of the corresponding German models.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter items 18-Q-4 and 18-R-9. </REF> Its address in 1943 was Shitaya-ku Sakamoto 1&ndash;3&ndash;2 (下谷区坂本1&ndash;3&ndash;2) in Tokyo.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}. </REF>
 
  
The known Bikōdō shutters are the following:
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== Prewar and wartime period ==
* Tokyo Compur or New Compur (T, B, 1&ndash;300): on the [[Rollekonter]], [[Semi Konter]] and [[Semi Miss]]
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As early as 1937, Bikōdō was mentioned as the distributor of the [[Reex]] 6×9 folder,<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.343 (item 320), after a column in {{ACA}} September 1937. </REF> a camera that was perhaps made by [[Mori|Mori Seisakusho]].
* Rapid Compur (T, B, 1&ndash;500): on the [[Rollekonter]]
 
  
== Postwar Bikōdō ==
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During World War II, the Bikōdō company was based in Sakamoto, Tokyo.<REF> The exact address was Tōkyō-to Shitaya-ku Sakamoto 1–3–2 (東京都下谷区坂本1–3–2). Source: {{Inquiry1943_short}}. </REF> In a government inquiry on Japanese camera production, it was mentioned as the maker of shutters called Compur and Rapid Compur, copies of the corresponding German models.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter items 18-Q-4 and 18-R-9. </REF> These shutters were notably mounted on the [[Rollekonter]] 6×6 TLR by [[Mori]]. They have a round ''MB'' logo on the front plate; these initials might stand for <u>M</u>ori and <u>B</u>ikōdō. A similar logo also appears on the earlier [[Light (shutter)|Light shutter]] or its Rosen name variant, probably indicating a common origin.
After the war, '''Bikōdō Seisakusho''' (美光堂製作所) made the [[Superflex]] TLR and announced the [[Tenar Six]] folder. It is not known if it was related with the previous Bikōdō company. Its address from 1951 to 1953 was Taitō-ku Kami-negishi 60 (台東区上根岸60) in Tokyo.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;141&ndash;2 and 149. </REF>
 
  
Camera list:
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== Postwar period ==
* [[Superflex]] (6&times;6 TLR)
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It is said that the company suffered some damage from the aerial bombings at the end of World War II.<REF> Lewis, p.59. </REF> It soon distributed the [[Bikor-Flex]], another 6×6 TLR by [[Mori]], revised version of the wartime [[Rollekonter]]; this was one of the first Japanese TLR cameras available on the market.
* [[Tenar Six]] (6&times;6 folder)
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Bikōdō probably absorbed [[Mori|Mori Seisakusho]] c.1949. In late 1949, the company was known as '''Bikōdō Seisakusho''' (美光堂製作所, meaning Bikōdō Works) and released the [[Superflex]] 6×6 TLR, again based on the [[Rollekonter]], continuation of Mori's camera line. In 1951, the company also announced the [[Tenar Six]], a 6×6 folder with unusual characteristics. From 1951 to 1953, Bikōdō Seisakusho was based in Kami-Negishi, Tokyo.<REF> The exact address was Tōkyō-to Taitō-ku Kami-Negishi 60 (東京都台東区上根岸60). Source: advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.141–2 and 149. </REF> All trace of the company is lost after that date.
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== Cameras ==
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=== Distributed by Bikōdō ===
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* [[Reex]] (6×9 folder), perhaps made by [[Mori]]
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* [[Bikor-Flex]] (6×6 TLR), made by [[Mori]]
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=== Made by Bikōdō Seisakusho ===
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* [[Superflex]] (6×6 TLR)
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* [[Tenar Six]] (6×6 folder)
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== Shutters ==
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* [[Light (shutter)|Light and Rosen]] (several versions, attribution unconfirmed)
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* Tokyo Compur or New Compur (T, B, 1–300), on the [[Rollekonter]], [[Semi Konter]] and [[Semi Miss]]
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* Rapid Compur (T, B, 1–500), on the [[Rollekonter]]
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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* {{Showa10}}
 
* {{Showa10}}
 
* {{Inquiry1943}}
 
* {{Inquiry1943}}
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* {{Lewis}} P.59.
  
 
[[Category: Japanese camera makers]]
 
[[Category: Japanese camera makers]]
 
[[Category: Japanese shutter makers]]
 
[[Category: Japanese shutter makers]]

Revision as of 20:42, 13 September 2010

Bikōdō (美光堂) was a Japanese distributor and manufacturer of cameras and leaf shutters, from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. It was related to the manufacturer Mori Seisakusho.

Prewar and wartime period

As early as 1937, Bikōdō was mentioned as the distributor of the Reex 6×9 folder,[1] a camera that was perhaps made by Mori Seisakusho.

During World War II, the Bikōdō company was based in Sakamoto, Tokyo.[2] In a government inquiry on Japanese camera production, it was mentioned as the maker of shutters called Compur and Rapid Compur, copies of the corresponding German models.[3] These shutters were notably mounted on the Rollekonter 6×6 TLR by Mori. They have a round MB logo on the front plate; these initials might stand for Mori and Bikōdō. A similar logo also appears on the earlier Light shutter or its Rosen name variant, probably indicating a common origin.

Postwar period

It is said that the company suffered some damage from the aerial bombings at the end of World War II.[4] It soon distributed the Bikor-Flex, another 6×6 TLR by Mori, revised version of the wartime Rollekonter; this was one of the first Japanese TLR cameras available on the market.

Bikōdō probably absorbed Mori Seisakusho c.1949. In late 1949, the company was known as Bikōdō Seisakusho (美光堂製作所, meaning Bikōdō Works) and released the Superflex 6×6 TLR, again based on the Rollekonter, continuation of Mori's camera line. In 1951, the company also announced the Tenar Six, a 6×6 folder with unusual characteristics. From 1951 to 1953, Bikōdō Seisakusho was based in Kami-Negishi, Tokyo.[5] All trace of the company is lost after that date.

Cameras

Distributed by Bikōdō

Made by Bikōdō Seisakusho

Shutters

Notes

  1. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.343 (item 320), after a column in Asahi Camera September 1937.
  2. The exact address was Tōkyō-to Shitaya-ku Sakamoto 1–3–2 (東京都下谷区坂本1–3–2). Source: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras").
  3. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter items 18-Q-4 and 18-R-9.
  4. Lewis, p.59.
  5. The exact address was Tōkyō-to Taitō-ku Kami-Negishi 60 (東京都台東区上根岸60). Source: advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.141–2 and 149.

Bibliography