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, Katsuma Kōgaku Kikai Seisakusho (勝間光学機械製作所) was one of the two founders of the company Tōkyō Kōgaku (later Topcon), together with the measuring instruments branch of Hattori Tokei-ten Seikōsha (服部時計店精工社).
In the 1950s,[1] under the full name Katsuma Kōgaku Kōgyō K.K. 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] On its Lyra cameras, the company used a KATUMA[3] LYRA logo that was similar in shape to the logo used by Fuji Kōgaku[4]. It is said that the latter company was split into two parts after the war: Taisei Kōki and Katsuma Kōgaku, with the latter one keeping the Lyra brand name.[5] This cannot be the full explanation because Katsuma already existed before, but the company is certainly related to Fuji Kōgaku and Taisei Kōki.
A related company is Pioneer Camera, which was contemporary with Katsuma and shared the same address.
4.5×6 folder
- Semi Lyra A, SR (postwar models)
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.
- ↑ Another logo has been used on binoculars: KOC (for Katsuma Optical Company) inside a triangle inside a circle.
- ↑ According to Tanaka, p. 44, and this page at Japan Family Camera.
Sources / further reading
- Nihon no kamera o omoshiroku shita kyōshū no burando ten (日本のカメラを面白くした郷愁のブランド展, Exhibition of nostalgic brands that made Japanese cameras interesting). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1997. Exhibition catalogue.
- Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). Nihon no niganrefu: Zenpen (日本の二眼レフ：前編, The TLRs of Japan, vol. 1). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1983. ISBN 4-257-08088-4
