Difference between revisions of "Kenko"
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'''Kenko Co., Ltd.''' or '''K.K. Kenkō''' (株式会社ケンコー) is a Japanese company that currently (2007) sells (and perhaps makes) digital cameras and camcorders as well as all sorts of camera accessories, including tripods, filters, conversion lenses, etc. The company also distributes in Japan the products of [[Cosina]] (including the [[Cosina Voigtländer|Voigtländer]] brand), [[Tokina]], Slik, Daiwa, Cokin, Lee and Tamrac. | '''Kenko Co., Ltd.''' or '''K.K. Kenkō''' (株式会社ケンコー) is a Japanese company that currently (2007) sells (and perhaps makes) digital cameras and camcorders as well as all sorts of camera accessories, including tripods, filters, conversion lenses, etc. The company also distributes in Japan the products of [[Cosina]] (including the [[Cosina Voigtländer|Voigtländer]] brand), [[Tokina]], Slik, Daiwa, Cokin, Lee and Tamrac. | ||
| − | + | == Early history == | |
| + | It seems that the company Kenko appeared as '''Murakami Shōkai''' (村上商会), already in existence in 1929.<REF> Advertisement dated February 1929 reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page by Toshio Inamura. </REF> In 1941–2, this company was already using the Kenko brand, and was also selling the [[Semi Kreis]] 4.5×6 folders; its main address was Tōkyō, Shinbashi, Kōsaten (東京・新橋・交叉点) and the address of the wholesales branch was Tōkyō, Nihonbashi, Honchō 2 (東京・日本橋本町二).<REF> Advertisements for the Semi Kreis reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.68. </REF> | ||
| − | In 1949, | + | In 1949, Murakami Shōkai announced the [[Kenko 35]] camera, taking both [[127 film]] and [[35mm film]].<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.351. </REF> The company name became '''Murakami Shashin Yōhin K.K.''' (村上写真用品株式会社) at some time. In 1953, it was still selling Kenko products, and was the distributor of the [[Union Semi]] folder and an authorized dealer for the [[Mamiya]] and [[Start]] cameras; the address was Tōkyō-to Minato-ku Shibashinbashi 1-chōme 16-banchi (東京都芝新橋一丁目十六番地).<REF> Advertisement for the Union Semi reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.202. </REF> |
| − | In an advertisement dated 1954, the company name was given as '''Kenkō Shashin Yōhin K.K.''' (ケンコー写真用品{{kabu}}).<REF> [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/20295344.html Advertisement for Kenko products] dated 1954, reproduced in [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/ Shashin-Bako]. </REF> The main address was Minato-ku Shibashinbashi (港区芝新橋) 1–6 in Tokyo, and there was a branch in Osaka. The Kenko products were made by various companies: according to the advertisement, the tripods were made by Eikensha (映研社) of Setagaya (Tokyo) and the filters were made by Tōyō Kōgaku Bōeki K.K. (東洋光学貿易{{kabu}}) of Ōmori (Tokyo). | + | In an advertisement dated 1954, the company name was given as '''Kenkō Shashin Yōhin K.K.''' (ケンコー写真用品{{kabu}}).<REF> [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/20295344.html Advertisement for Kenko products] dated 1954, reproduced in [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/ Shashin-Bako]. </REF> The main address was almost the same: Minato-ku Shibashinbashi (港区芝新橋) 1–6 in Tokyo, and there was a branch in Osaka. The Kenko products were made by various companies: according to the advertisement, the tripods were made by Eikensha (映研社) of Setagaya (Tokyo) and the filters were made by Tōyō Kōgaku Bōeki K.K. (東洋光学貿易{{kabu}}) of Ōmori (Tokyo). |
| + | |||
| + | For some reason, the Kenko official website gives 1957 as the founding date.<REF> [http://www.kenko-tokina.co.jp/recruit/kenko.html Kenko company profile]. </REF> | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 23:08, 28 December 2007
Kenko Co., Ltd. or K.K. Kenkō (株式会社ケンコー) is a Japanese company that currently (2007) sells (and perhaps makes) digital cameras and camcorders as well as all sorts of camera accessories, including tripods, filters, conversion lenses, etc. The company also distributes in Japan the products of Cosina (including the Voigtländer brand), Tokina, Slik, Daiwa, Cokin, Lee and Tamrac.
Contents
Early history
It seems that the company Kenko appeared as Murakami Shōkai (村上商会), already in existence in 1929.[1] In 1941–2, this company was already using the Kenko brand, and was also selling the Semi Kreis 4.5×6 folders; its main address was Tōkyō, Shinbashi, Kōsaten (東京・新橋・交叉点) and the address of the wholesales branch was Tōkyō, Nihonbashi, Honchō 2 (東京・日本橋本町二).[2]
In 1949, Murakami Shōkai announced the Kenko 35 camera, taking both 127 film and 35mm film.[3] The company name became Murakami Shashin Yōhin K.K. (村上写真用品株式会社) at some time. In 1953, it was still selling Kenko products, and was the distributor of the Union Semi folder and an authorized dealer for the Mamiya and Start cameras; the address was Tōkyō-to Minato-ku Shibashinbashi 1-chōme 16-banchi (東京都芝新橋一丁目十六番地).[4]
In an advertisement dated 1954, the company name was given as Kenkō Shashin Yōhin K.K. (ケンコー写真用品㈱).[5] The main address was almost the same: Minato-ku Shibashinbashi (港区芝新橋) 1–6 in Tokyo, and there was a branch in Osaka. The Kenko products were made by various companies: according to the advertisement, the tripods were made by Eikensha (映研社) of Setagaya (Tokyo) and the filters were made by Tōyō Kōgaku Bōeki K.K. (東洋光学貿易㈱) of Ōmori (Tokyo).
For some reason, the Kenko official website gives 1957 as the founding date.[6]
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement dated February 1929 reproduced in Nostalgic Camera, a page by Toshio Inamura.
- ↑ Advertisements for the Semi Kreis reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.68.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.351.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Union Semi reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.202.
- ↑ Advertisement for Kenko products dated 1954, reproduced in Shashin-Bako.
- ↑ Kenko company profile.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7.
Links
In English:
- Kenko official English website in English (the Japanese website is more complete)
In Japanese:
- Advertisement for Kenko products dated 1954, reproduced in Shashin-Bako
