Difference between revisions of "Kenko"
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| − | '''Kenko | + | '''Kenko''' is a Japanese company, whose origin can be traced back to the Kenko products sold by the company Murakami. |
== Early history == | == Early history == | ||
| − | + | The company '''Murakami Shōkai''' (村上商会) was 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, 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 Minato-ku Shibashinbashi (港区芝新橋) 1–16 in Tokyo.<REF> Advertisement for the Union Semi reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.202. </REF> | 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 Minato-ku Shibashinbashi (港区芝新橋) 1–16 in Tokyo.<REF> Advertisement for the Union Semi reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.202. </REF> | ||
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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> | 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> | ||
| − | == | + | == Current situation == |
| + | The company is currently (2008) called '''Kenko Co., Ltd.''' or '''K.K. Kenkō''' (株式会社ケンコー). It sells (and perhaps makes) film cameras, digital cameras and camcorders under the Kenko brand, and makes lenses under the [[Tokina]] brand. It sells all sorts of camera accessories under the Kenko brand, including tripods, filters, conversion lenses, etc. It also makes accessories sold under other brands, such as the Slik and Daiwa tripods, the Cokin and Lee filters, the Tamrac camera bags, ATP memory cards and Aska portable image viewers. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The company absorbed [[Fujimoto|Fujimoto Shashin Kōgyō]] on December 27, 2007,<REF> [http://www.kenko-tokina.co.jp/lucky/lucky1228.html Press release on the Kenko website]. </REF> which has become the Fujimoto photo activities department (藤本写真事業部), making lab systems, enlargers and slide projectors. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Camera list == | ||
| + | === 35mm SLR === | ||
| + | * Kenko KF-1N (silver) and KF-1N BK (black), in [[Nikon F lenses|Nikon F mount]] | ||
| + | * Kenko KF-2N, in [[Nikon F lenses|Nikon F mount]] | ||
| + | * Kenko KF-3YC, in [[Yashica / Contax lenses|Yashica / Contax mount]] | ||
| + | * Kenko KF-4PK, in [[Pentax K lenses|Pentax K mount]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Older advertisements == | ||
In ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' May 1929, Murakami advertised an inexpensive [[no-need-darkroom]] box camera called the '''It''', offered for {{yen|4.30|1929}}. | In ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' May 1929, Murakami advertised an inexpensive [[no-need-darkroom]] box camera called the '''It''', offered for {{yen|4.30|1929}}. | ||
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;" | {| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;" | ||
Revision as of 15:49, 25 April 2008
Kenko is a Japanese company, whose origin can be traced back to the Kenko products sold by the company Murakami.
Contents
Early history
The company Murakami Shōkai (村上商会) was 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 Minato-ku Shibashinbashi (港区芝新橋) 1–16 in Tokyo.[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]
Current situation
The company is currently (2008) called Kenko Co., Ltd. or K.K. Kenkō (株式会社ケンコー). It sells (and perhaps makes) film cameras, digital cameras and camcorders under the Kenko brand, and makes lenses under the Tokina brand. It sells all sorts of camera accessories under the Kenko brand, including tripods, filters, conversion lenses, etc. It also makes accessories sold under other brands, such as the Slik and Daiwa tripods, the Cokin and Lee filters, the Tamrac camera bags, ATP memory cards and Aska portable image viewers.
The company absorbed Fujimoto Shashin Kōgyō on December 27, 2007,[7] which has become the Fujimoto photo activities department (藤本写真事業部), making lab systems, enlargers and slide projectors.
Camera list
35mm SLR
- Kenko KF-1N (silver) and KF-1N BK (black), in Nikon F mount
- Kenko KF-2N, in Nikon F mount
- Kenko KF-3YC, in Yashica / Contax mount
- Kenko KF-4PK, in Pentax K mount
Older advertisements
In Asahi Camera May 1929, Murakami advertised an inexpensive no-need-darkroom box camera called the It, offered for ¥4.30.
|
| Advertisement by Murakami Shōkai in Asahi Camera May 1929. (Image rights) |
|
| Advertisement by Murakami Shōkai in Asahi Camera June 1932. (Image rights) |
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.
- ↑ Press release on the Kenko website.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Murakami Shōkai in February 1930 (p.A26) and June 1932 (p.A32).
- 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
