Difference between revisions of "Fujimoto"

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|| ''K.K. Fujimoto Shashinki Seisakusho. {{public domain Japan new}}''
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'''Fujimoto''' is a Japanese company that made cameras at some time and currently (2007) makes enlargers and other equipment.
 
'''Fujimoto''' is a Japanese company that made cameras at some time and currently (2007) makes enlargers and other equipment.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
Fujimoto was founded in Osaka in 1913 by Fujimoto Tōjirō (藤本藤次郎) to make photogravure equipment.<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. </REF> In 1933, it established as '''Gōshi-gaisha Fujimoto Seisakusho''' ({{goshi}}藤本製作所, meaning Fujimoto Mfg. Co.) and opened a plant in Osaka, Nakahoribashi.<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. The exact address was Ōsaka-shi Minami-ku Horibashi-suji (大阪市南区堀橋筋) 2&ndash;8. Source: advertisement dated December 1935 reproduced in Tanimura, p.&nbsp;51 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;11, advertisements dated 1937 to 1942 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;76 and 102, and April 1943 government inquiry. </REF> It certainly began to manufacture cameras at about that time. It released the [[Semi Prince]] (distributed by [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]]) in late 1934.<REF> The earliest advertisement for the [[Semi Prince]] was in the November 1934 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]''. It is reproduced in Tanimura, p.&nbsp;50 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;11. </REF>
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Fujimoto was founded in Osaka in 1913 by Fujimoto Tōjirō (藤本藤次郎) to make photogravure equipment.<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. </REF> In 1933, it established as '''Gōshi-gaisha Fujimoto Seisakusho''' ({{goshi}}藤本製作所, meaning Fujimoto Mfg. Co.) and opened a plant in Osaka, Nakahoribashi.<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. The exact address was Ōsaka-shi Minami-ku Horibashi-suji (大阪市南区堀橋筋) 2&ndash;8. Source: advertisement dated December 1935 reproduced in Tanimura, p.51 of {{KKS}} no.11, advertisements dated 1937 to 1942 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.76 and 102, and April 1943 government inquiry. </REF> It certainly began to manufacture cameras at about that time. It released the [[Semi Prince]] (distributed by [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]]) in late 1934.<REF> The earliest advertisement for the [[Semi Prince]] was in the November 1934 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]''. It is reproduced in Tanimura, p.50 of {{KKS}} no.11. </REF>
  
 
It is possible but not certain that all the cameras called [[Prince]] and advertised as "made by Prince Camera Works" were actually made by Fujimoto. It is most likely that Prince Camera Works was just a dummy name used by the distributor [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]] for advertising purpose, and that it became associated with Fujimoto because the two companies had commercial agreements.
 
It is possible but not certain that all the cameras called [[Prince]] and advertised as "made by Prince Camera Works" were actually made by Fujimoto. It is most likely that Prince Camera Works was just a dummy name used by the distributor [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]] for advertising purpose, and that it became associated with Fujimoto because the two companies had commercial agreements.
  
−
In 1935, the production of enlargers began under the brand Lucky and it still continues today (2007).<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. </REF> The first enlargers were developed by Takahashi Kenzō (高橋健三), who had entered the company in 1934 and would become its CEO after the war.<REF> Tanimura, p.&nbsp;51 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;11. </REF>
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In 1935, the production of enlargers began under the brand Lucky and it still continues today (2007).<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. </REF> The first enlargers were developed by Takahashi Kenzō (高橋健三), who had entered the company in 1934 and would become its CEO after the war.<REF> Tanimura, p.51 of {{KKS}} no.11. </REF>
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In 1937, Fujimoto bought a plant in Mukogawa to [[Neumann & Heilemann]].<REF> Tanimura, p.&nbsp;51 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;11. </REF> The [[Prince Flex]] TLR, certainly developed by Neumann & Heilemann at the first place, was perhaps taken over by Fujimoto at the same time (see [[Prince Flex]]). The [[Semi Lucky]], produced in the Mukogawa plant,<REF> Tanimura, p.&nbsp;51 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;11. </REF> was the first camera sold by the company under its own brand. In 1940, Fujimoto began to make its own Rapidex leaf shutter, produced in the same Mukogawa plant and mounted on the [[Semi Sport]].<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. Produced in the Mukogawa plant: Tanimura, p.&nbsp;51 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;11. </REF> It also made a larger leaf shutter called Sport, sold to various other camera makers.<REF> Sport made by Fujimoto: {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 24-Q-2. </REF>
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|| ''Fujimoto logo. {{public domain Japan new}}''
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In 1937, Fujimoto bought a plant in Mukogawa to [[Neumann & Heilemann]].<REF> Tanimura, p.51 of {{KKS}} no.11. </REF> The [[Prince Flex]] TLR, certainly developed by Neumann & Heilemann at the first place, was perhaps taken over by Fujimoto at the same time (see [[Prince Flex]]). The [[Semi Lucky]], produced in the Mukogawa plant,<REF> Tanimura, p.51 of {{KKS}} no.11. </REF> was the first camera sold by the company under its own brand. In 1940, Fujimoto began to make its own Rapidex leaf shutter, produced in the same Mukogawa plant and mounted on the [[Semi Sport]].<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. Produced in the Mukogawa plant: Tanimura, p.51 of {{KKS}} no.11. The Rapidex is attributed to Chiyoda, predecessor of [[Minolta]], in the {{Inquiry1943_short}} (shutter item 18-P-27), certainly by mistake. </REF> The Rapidex shutter displays the logo of the company, formed by the letters ''FT'' arranged as a circle &mdash; FT are the initials of the founder Fujimoto Tōjirō (藤本藤次郎).<REF> FT initials of Fujimoto Tōjirō: Tanimura, p.51 of {{KKS}} no.11. </REF> Fujimoto also made a larger leaf shutter called Sport, sold to various other camera makers.<REF> Sport made by Fujimoto: {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 24-Q-2. </REF>
  
−
In 1943, Fujimoto established a new plant together with [[Kashimura|Kashimura Yōkō]] and [[Tomioka|Tomioka Kōgaku]] in the Manchurian city of Dalian, under the name '''Kantō Kōgaku Kōgyō K.K.''' (関東光学工業{{kabu}}).<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. </REF> Plans were drawn to move the production of enlargers and cameras there, with almost no result.<REF> Tanimura, p.&nbsp;51 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;11. </REF> All activity stopped in 1945.
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In 1943, Fujimoto established a new plant together with [[Kashimura|Kashimura Yōkō]] and [[Tomioka|Tomioka Kōgaku]] in the Manchurian city of Dalian, under the name '''Kantō Kōgaku Kōgyō K.K.''' (関東光学工業{{kabu}}).<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. </REF> Plans were drawn to move the production of enlargers and cameras there, with almost no result.<REF> Tanimura, p.51 of {{KKS}} no.11. </REF> All activity stopped in 1945.
  
−
In 1949 the Semi Sport and Lucky enlargers were advertised by a company called Nihon Kōki Kōgyō K.K. (日本光機工業{{kabu}}), whose relationship with Fujimoto is unknown.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;143. </REF>
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In 1949 the Semi Sport and Lucky enlargers were advertised by a company called Nihon Kōki Kōgyō K.K. (日本光機工業{{kabu}}), whose relationship with Fujimoto is unknown.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.143. </REF>
  
 
{| class="plainlinks floatright" width=350px style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="plainlinks floatright" width=350px style="text-align: center;"
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|| ''Advertisements for the Lucky enlargers, published in the October and November 1955 issues of ''[[Photo Art]]''. {{public domain Japan new}}''
 
|| ''Advertisements for the Lucky enlargers, published in the October and November 1955 issues of ''[[Photo Art]]''. {{public domain Japan new}}''
 
|}
 
|}
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In 1950 the company was revived as '''Fujimoto Shashinki Seisakusho''' (藤本写真機製作所, meaning Fujimoto Camera Mfg. Co.) by Takahashi Kenzō.<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. {{McKeown}}, pp.&nbsp;331&ndash;2, lists "Fujimoto Camera Works" and "Fujimoto Mfg. Co." as two different companies, but this is a mistake. </REF> It made a camera called [[Luck]] during a short time and also used the name '''Fujimoto Camera Works''' (藤本カメラワークス) for advertising before dropping camera production.<REF> Fujimoto Camera Works: advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;205. </REF> At the beginning, the products were distributed by [[Kashimura|Kashimura Yōkō]], which was still mentioned as authorized dealer for Kantō (Eastern Japan) in 1954.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;125 and 205. </REF>
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In 1950 the company was revived as '''Fujimoto Shashinki Seisakusho''' (藤本写真機製作所, meaning Fujimoto Camera Mfg. Co.) by Takahashi Kenzō.<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. {{McKeown}}, pp.331&ndash;2, lists "Fujimoto Camera Works" and "Fujimoto Mfg. Co." as two different companies, but this is a mistake. </REF> It made a camera called [[Luck]] during a short time and also used the name '''Fujimoto Camera Works''' (藤本カメラワークス) for advertising before dropping camera production.<REF> Fujimoto Camera Works: advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.205. </REF> At the beginning, the products were distributed by [[Kashimura|Kashimura Yōkō]], which was still mentioned as authorized dealer for Kantō (Eastern Japan) in 1954.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.125 and 205. </REF>
  
 
The company was incorporated again in 1952 as '''K.K. Fujimoto Shashinki Seisakusho''' ({{kabu}}藤本写真機製作所) and the plant was moved to a new location in Osaka, Higashi-sumiyoshi-ku Kuwazu-chō (大阪市東住吉区桑津町).<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. </REF> The company's main address in 1960 was Yao-shi Kyūhōji 2204 (八尾市久宝寺2204) in Osaka.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]] Annual '60''. </REF>
 
The company was incorporated again in 1952 as '''K.K. Fujimoto Shashinki Seisakusho''' ({{kabu}}藤本写真機製作所) and the plant was moved to a new location in Osaka, Higashi-sumiyoshi-ku Kuwazu-chō (大阪市東住吉区桑津町).<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. </REF> The company's main address in 1960 was Yao-shi Kyūhōji 2204 (八尾市久宝寺2204) in Osaka.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]] Annual '60''. </REF>
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=== Others ===
 
=== Others ===
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Other cameras named [[Prince]] are often attributed to Fujimoto,<REF> For example in {{McKeown}}, pp.&nbsp;331&ndash;2. </REF> but this is not certain. Here is a list:
+
Other cameras named [[Prince]] are often attributed to Fujimoto,<REF> For example in {{McKeown}}, pp.331&ndash;2. </REF> but this is not certain. Here is a list:
 
* [[Prince plate folder|Prince]], 6.5&times;9 plate folder
 
* [[Prince plate folder|Prince]], 6.5&times;9 plate folder
 
* [[Prince Peerless]], 6.5&times;9 plate folder
 
* [[Prince Peerless]], 6.5&times;9 plate folder
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* {{Inquiry1943}}
 
* {{Inquiry1943}}
 
* Kawamata Masataku (川又正卓). ''Semi Prince &mdash; Luck.'' In [[Sources: Japanese language#Supuringu kamera de ikou|''Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata'']] (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: The use of and actual examples from 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp. 78&ndash;80.
 
* Kawamata Masataku (川又正卓). ''Semi Prince &mdash; Luck.'' In [[Sources: Japanese language#Supuringu kamera de ikou|''Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata'']] (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: The use of and actual examples from 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp. 78&ndash;80.
−
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.&nbsp;331&ndash;2, 572.
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* {{McKeown12}} Pp.331&ndash;2, 572.
−
* Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Semi Purinsu kara Rakku made &mdash; Takahashi Kenzō shi ni kiku." (セミプリンスからラックまで・高橋健三氏にきく, "From the Semi Prince to the Luck &mdash; Asking Takahashi Kenzō") {{KKS011}} Pp.&nbsp;50&ndash;1. Based on an interview of Takahashi Kenzō, former CEO of Fujimoto, who entered the company in 1934.
+
* Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Semi Purinsu kara Rakku made &mdash; Takahashi Kenzō shi ni kiku." (セミプリンスからラックまで・高橋健三氏にきく, "From the Semi Prince to the Luck &mdash; Asking Takahashi Kenzō") {{KKS011}} Pp.50&ndash;1. Based on an interview of Takahashi Kenzō, former CEO of Fujimoto, who entered the company in 1934.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==

Revision as of 19:19, 28 November 2007

2071278387_b8dd1edb47_m_d.jpg
K.K. Fujimoto Shashinki Seisakusho. (Image rights)

Fujimoto is a Japanese company that made cameras at some time and currently (2007) makes enlargers and other equipment.

History

Fujimoto was founded in Osaka in 1913 by Fujimoto Tōjirō (藤本藤次郎) to make photogravure equipment.[1] In 1933, it established as Gōshi-gaisha Fujimoto Seisakusho (㈾藤本製作所, meaning Fujimoto Mfg. Co.) and opened a plant in Osaka, Nakahoribashi.[2] It certainly began to manufacture cameras at about that time. It released the Semi Prince (distributed by Fukada Shōkai) in late 1934.[3]

It is possible but not certain that all the cameras called Prince and advertised as "made by Prince Camera Works" were actually made by Fujimoto. It is most likely that Prince Camera Works was just a dummy name used by the distributor Fukada Shōkai for advertising purpose, and that it became associated with Fujimoto because the two companies had commercial agreements.

In 1935, the production of enlargers began under the brand Lucky and it still continues today (2007).[4] The first enlargers were developed by Takahashi Kenzō (高橋健三), who had entered the company in 1934 and would become its CEO after the war.[5]

2071278389_a7460a8a6c_o_d.jpg
Fujimoto logo. (Image rights)

In 1937, Fujimoto bought a plant in Mukogawa to Neumann & Heilemann.[6] The Prince Flex TLR, certainly developed by Neumann & Heilemann at the first place, was perhaps taken over by Fujimoto at the same time (see Prince Flex). The Semi Lucky, produced in the Mukogawa plant,[7] was the first camera sold by the company under its own brand. In 1940, Fujimoto began to make its own Rapidex leaf shutter, produced in the same Mukogawa plant and mounted on the Semi Sport.[8] The Rapidex shutter displays the logo of the company, formed by the letters FT arranged as a circle — FT are the initials of the founder Fujimoto Tōjirō (藤本藤次郎).[9] Fujimoto also made a larger leaf shutter called Sport, sold to various other camera makers.[10]

In 1943, Fujimoto established a new plant together with Kashimura Yōkō and Tomioka Kōgaku in the Manchurian city of Dalian, under the name Kantō Kōgaku Kōgyō K.K. (関東光学工業㈱).[11] Plans were drawn to move the production of enlargers and cameras there, with almost no result.[12] All activity stopped in 1945.

In 1949 the Semi Sport and Lucky enlargers were advertised by a company called Nihon Kōki Kōgyō K.K. (日本光機工業㈱), whose relationship with Fujimoto is unknown.[13]

2071248123_f1b685f42b_m_d.jpg 2071210799_03ac5f8b54_m_d.jpg
Advertisements for the Lucky enlargers, published in the October and November 1955 issues of Photo Art. (Image rights)

In 1950 the company was revived as Fujimoto Shashinki Seisakusho (藤本写真機製作所, meaning Fujimoto Camera Mfg. Co.) by Takahashi Kenzō.[14] It made a camera called Luck during a short time and also used the name Fujimoto Camera Works (藤本カメラワークス) for advertising before dropping camera production.[15] At the beginning, the products were distributed by Kashimura Yōkō, which was still mentioned as authorized dealer for Kantō (Eastern Japan) in 1954.[16]

The company was incorporated again in 1952 as K.K. Fujimoto Shashinki Seisakusho (㈱藤本写真機製作所) and the plant was moved to a new location in Osaka, Higashi-sumiyoshi-ku Kuwazu-chō (大阪市東住吉区桑津町).[17] The company's main address in 1960 was Yao-shi Kyūhōji 2204 (八尾市久宝寺2204) in Osaka.[18]

In 1966 the company became Fujimoto Shashin Kōgyō K.K. (藤本写真工業株式会社, officially translated as Fujimoto Photo Industrial Co., Ltd.).[19] In 1984, Takahashi Kenzō became senior advisor (相談役) and Takahashi Hideo (高橋英夫) became the new CEO.[20]

The company still exists (2007) and makes lab systems, enlargers and slide projectors.

Camera list

753849154_6a45347ca8_t_d.jpg
Semi Prince (Image rights)

4.5×6 folders

Others

Other cameras named Prince are often attributed to Fujimoto,[21] but this is not certain. Here is a list:

Shutter list

Notes

  1. ↑ Fujimoto official company history.
  2. ↑ Fujimoto official company history. The exact address was Ōsaka-shi Minami-ku Horibashi-suji (大阪市南区堀橋筋) 2–8. Source: advertisement dated December 1935 reproduced in Tanimura, p.51 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.11, advertisements dated 1937 to 1942 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.76 and 102, and April 1943 government inquiry.
  3. ↑ The earliest advertisement for the Semi Prince was in the November 1934 issue of Asahi Camera. It is reproduced in Tanimura, p.50 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.11.
  4. ↑ Fujimoto official company history.
  5. ↑ Tanimura, p.51 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.11.
  6. ↑ Tanimura, p.51 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.11.
  7. ↑ Tanimura, p.51 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.11.
  8. ↑ Fujimoto official company history. Produced in the Mukogawa plant: Tanimura, p.51 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.11. The Rapidex is attributed to Chiyoda, predecessor of Minolta, in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras") (shutter item 18-P-27), certainly by mistake.
  9. ↑ FT initials of Fujimoto Tōjirō: Tanimura, p.51 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.11.
  10. ↑ Sport made by Fujimoto: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 24-Q-2.
  11. ↑ Fujimoto official company history.
  12. ↑ Tanimura, p.51 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.11.
  13. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.143.
  14. ↑ Fujimoto official company history. McKeown, pp.331–2, lists "Fujimoto Camera Works" and "Fujimoto Mfg. Co." as two different companies, but this is a mistake.
  15. ↑ Fujimoto Camera Works: advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.205.
  16. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.125 and 205.
  17. ↑ Fujimoto official company history.
  18. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera Annual '60.
  19. ↑ Fujimoto official company history.
  20. ↑ Fujimoto official company history.
  21. ↑ For example in McKeown, pp.331–2.

Bibliography

Links

In Japanese:

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