Katsuma
Katsuma Kōgaku (勝間光学, translated as Katsuma Optical Co.) is a Japanese company. It is mentioned by various sources as a binocular maker. In 1932, it was one of the two founders of the company Tōkyō Kōgaku (later Topcon), together with the measure instruments branch of Hattori Tokei-ten Seikōsha (服部時計店精工社).
After the war[1], it made cameras with the Lyra brand name and used the Terionar brand name for some lenses. These brand names were used by Fuji Kōgaku until 1944, and maybe also after the war[2]. The company also used a KATUMA[3] LYRA logo that was similar in shape to the logo used by Fuji Kōgaku. This page at Japan Family Camera says that the latter company was split in two parts after the war: Taisei Kōki and Katsuma Kōgaku, with the latter one keeping the Lyra brand name. This cannot be exact because Katsuma already existed before, but it could have bought the Lyra brand name and other assets to Fuji Kōgaku after the war, while the rest of the company became Taisei Kōki.
Contents
4.5×6 folder
- Semi Lyra A, SR (postwar models)
6×6 folder
There is possibly a postwar model of the Lyra Six.
6×6 TLR
Notes
- ↑ Its address in 1955 was Tōkyō-to Toshima-ku Ikebukuro 6, 1981 (東京都豊島区池袋６の１９８１).
- ↑ This is suggested by the existence of a version of the Lyra Six with a top housing, having Fujikō markings and typical postwar features, like the synchronized shutter with PC connector.
- ↑ 'Katuma' and 'Katsuma' are two alternative ways to write 勝間 in the Roman alphabet. The latter is closer to the true pronunciation.
