Difference between revisions of "Korok"

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{{Japanese plate}}
 
{{Japanese plate}}
The '''Koroku''' (コロク) or '''Vest Koroku''' (ベストコロク) is a Japanese strut-folding plate camera. It was made from about 1914 by Rokuoh-sha, manufacturing branch of [[Konica|Konishi]] (predecessor of [[Konica]]), and it exists in 6.5×9cm (''daimeishi'') and 8×10.5cm (''tefuda'') size.<REF> Date: Kikuoka, p.32 of {{KKS}} no.10, {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080, Lewis, p.35. </REF> It was the successor of the [[Minimum Idea]].
+
The '''Korok''' (コロク) or '''Vest Korok''' (ベストコロク) is a Japanese strut-folding plate camera. It was made from about 1914 by Rokuoh-sha, manufacturing branch of [[Konica|Konishi]] (predecessor of [[Konica]]), and it exists in 5.5×8cm (''meishi'') and 8×10.5cm (''tefuda'') size.<REF> Date: Kikuoka, p.32 of {{KKS}} no.10, {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080, Lewis, p.35. </REF> It was the successor of the [[Minimum Idea]].
 +
 
 +
== Name ==
 +
The Roman name "Korok" is found in an original catalogue by [[Konica|Konishiroku]]; the Japanese name was written either "''Koroku kamera''" (コロク、カメラ) or "''Vesuto Koroku kamera''" (ヴヱスト、コロク、カメラ).<REF> "Korok", "''Koroku kamera''": catalogue by [[Konica|Konishiroku]] reproduced in Yazawa, p.4 of {{CCN}} no.259. "''Vesuto Koroku kamera''": advertisement reproduced in [http://www2f.biglobe.ne.jp/~ter-1212/sakura/koroku.htm this page at the R.&nbsp;Konishi Rokuoh-sha website]. </REF>
 +
 
 +
In the 1920s or 1930s, the word "Vest" (''Vesuto'') would commonly designate [[127 film]] in Japan (as in [[Minolta Vest]]); at the time of the Vest Korok, the prefix was simply used to remind the [[Vest Pocket Kodak]].
 +
 
 +
The Japanese name "''Koroku''" was certainly formed after <U>Ko</U>nishi <U>Roku</U>emon, name of the founder of the Konishi company; "Konishi Honten" and "Honten Konishi Rokuemon" were two alternative names of the company at the time. The name, pronounced as "Korok" or "Kolok", is also an obvious imitation of "Kodak".
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
The Koroku is one of the first Japanese cameras to have a metal body. It is inspired from the [[Vest Pocket Kodak]] and has a pop-out rectangular front standard mounted on trellis struts. This front standard contains a single [[brilliant finder]] at the top, in the middle, a meniscus lens and a simple shutter giving Time, Bulb and Instant settings selected by an index above the lens. The words ''MANUFACTURED BY ROKUOH-SHA TOKYO.'' are inscribed around the lens. The aperture is set by an index at the bottom, with four positions indicated both by the numbers ''1'', ''2'', ''3'', ''4'' and by words in ''kanji'' script.<REF> Words in ''kanji'' script: {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080. </REF>
+
The Korok is one of the first Japanese cameras to have a metal body. It is inspired from the [[Vest Pocket Kodak]] and has a pop-out rectangular front standard mounted on trellis struts. This front standard contains a single [[brilliant finder]] at the top, in the middle, a meniscus lens and a simple shutter giving Time, Bulb and Instant settings selected by an index above the lens. The words ''MANUFACTURED BY ROKUOH-SHA TOKYO.'' are inscribed around the lens. The aperture is set by an index at the bottom, with four positions indicated both by the numbers ''1'', ''2'', ''3'', ''4'' and by words in ''kanji'' script.<REF> Words in ''kanji'' script: {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080. </REF>
  
 
The rear part of the camera has no similarity with the [[Vest Pocket Kodak]], and simply consists of a box with attachment rails for the ground glass or plate holders.
 
The rear part of the camera has no similarity with the [[Vest Pocket Kodak]], and simply consists of a box with attachment rails for the ground glass or plate holders.
  
 
== Versions ==
 
== Versions ==
The advertisement for the Koroku reproduced [http://www2f.biglobe.ne.jp/~ter-1212/sakura/koroku.htm here at the R.&nbsp;Konishi Rokuoh-sha website] presents the camera as a new model, evolved from the [[Minimum Idea]] through various improvements. The camera is called "Vest Koroku Camera" (ヴェスト、コロク、カメラ) in the title and simply "Koroku Camera" (コロク、カメラ) in the text. The format is mentioned as ''meishi'' size, approximately corresponding to 5.5×8cm. The camera was sold with six single-sided plate holders, the same as the [[Minimum Idea]]. It cost ¥15 with cloth wallets and ¥16 with a leather case.
+
The advertisement for the Korok reproduced [http://www2f.biglobe.ne.jp/~ter-1212/sakura/koroku.htm here at the R.&nbsp;Konishi Rokuoh-sha website] presents the camera as a new model, evolved from the [[Minimum Idea]] through various improvements. The camera is called "Vest Korok Camera" (ヴヱスト、コロク、カメラ, ''Vesuto Koroku Kamera'') in the title and simply "Korok Camera" (コロク、カメラ, ''Koroku Kamera'') in the text. The format is mentioned as ''meishi'' size, approximately corresponding to 5.5×8cm. The camera was sold with six single-sided plate holders, the same as the [[Minimum Idea]]. It cost ¥15 with cloth wallets and ¥16 with a leather case.
  
It seems that the surviving example pictured in the various sources is one and the same.<REF> Example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080, in Kikuoka, p.32 of {{KKS}} no.10, in Lewis, p.35, and in [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371017&APage=2 this page of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology]. The camera is said to belong to M. Morihara in the two first sources, and the picture is the same in the last three. </REF> Its format is quoted as 6.5×9cm or ''daimeishi'' in some sources.<REF> Format quoted as 6.5×9cm in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080, and as ''daimeishi'' in Kikuoka, p.32 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF> In others, the format is given as 57×83mm for the camera in general, not necessarily referring to the pictured example;<REF> Format quoted as 57×83mm in Lewis, p.35, and in [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371017&APage=2 this page of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology]. </REF> this is an alternate approximation for ''meishi'' size. The picture in {{Sugiyama}} shows the full set, complete with original buck-skin wallets for the camera and for the six plate holders.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080. </REF>
+
It seems that the surviving example pictured in the various sources is one and the same.<REF> Example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080, in Yazawa, pp.1–3 and cover pages of {{CCN}} no.259, in Kikuoka, p.32 of {{KKS}} no.10, in Lewis, p.35, and in [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371017&APage=2 this page of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology]. The camera is said to belong to M. Morihara in the three first sources, and the picture is the same in the last three. </REF> Its format is quoted as 6.5×9cm or ''daimeishi'' in some sources, and as 57×83mm or ''meishi'' in others; the latter seems more plausible.<REF> Format quoted as 6.5×9cm in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080, and as ''daimeishi'' in Kikuoka, p.32 of {{KKS}} no.10. &mdash; Format quoted as 57×83mm in Lewis, p.35, and in [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371017&APage=2 this page of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology], and as ''meishi'' (50×77mm actual picture size) in Yazawa, p.2 of {{CCN}} no.259. The most detailed account of the camera is found in Yazawa, who seems to have examined the actual example instead of mere pictures. </REF> The picture in {{Sugiyama}} shows the full set, complete with original buck-skin wallets for the camera and for the six plate holders.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1080. </REF>
  
 
According to Kikuoka, apparently quoting the official company history ''Shashin to tomo ni hyaku-nen'', the camera also existed in 8×10.5cm (''tefuda'') size, and there was perhaps a wooden version in ''meishi'' (5.5×8cm) format, called the '''Sketch Camera''' (スケッチカメラ).<REF> Kikuoka, p.32 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF>
 
According to Kikuoka, apparently quoting the official company history ''Shashin to tomo ni hyaku-nen'', the camera also existed in 8×10.5cm (''tefuda'') size, and there was perhaps a wooden version in ''meishi'' (5.5×8cm) format, called the '''Sketch Camera''' (スケッチカメラ).<REF> Kikuoka, p.32 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF>
 
== Name ==
 
The name "Koroku" was certainly formed after <U>Ko</U>nishi <U>Roku</U>emon, name of the founder of the Konishi company; "Konishi Honten" and "Honten Konishi Rokuemon" were two alternative names of the company at the time. The name, pronounced as "Korok" or "Kolok" in Japanese, is also an obvious imitation of "Kodak".
 
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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* {{Lewis}} P.35 (the camera is called "Korok").
 
* {{Lewis}} P.35 (the camera is called "Korok").
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 1080.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 1080.
 +
* Yazawa Seiichirō (矢沢征一郎). "Renzu no hanashi (169) Koroku kamera" (レンズの話[169]コロク・カメラ, Lens story [169] Korok camera). In {{CCN}} no.259 (January 1999). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==

Revision as of 23:59, 18 January 2008

Japanese plate cameras
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No.0 (4×5cm) Secrette
atom (4.5×6cm) New Argus | Egorette | Secrette
Box cameras (edit)
No.0 (4×5cm) Adam | Hayatori Renshūyō
atom (4.5×6cm) Atom Hayatori Shashinki
meishi (5.5×8cm) Cherry
tefuda (8×10.5cm) Champion | Cherry | Sakura Army | Sakura Honor | Sakura Navy
nimaigake (8×12cm) Sakura Honor
kabine (12×16.5cm) Sakura Honor
Folding bed cameras (edit)
No.0 (4×5cm) Alpha | Sweet | Pony Sweet | Taishō-shiki
atom (4.5×6cm) Monarch | Need | Palma
meishi (5.5×8cm) Eagle | Idea A | Idea B | Idea Snap | Idea No.1 | Iris | Lily (horizontal) | Pearl No.3 | Special Camera | Venis | X
daimeishi (6.5×9cm) Apollo | Arcadia | Crite | Special East | Eaton | Elliotte | First | First Etui | Gold | Happy | Hope | Idea No.1 | Idea (metal) | Kinka | Kokka | Lily (horizontal) | Lily (metal) | Tropical Lily | Lloyd | Lomax | Masnette | Mikuni | Need | Nifca Klapp | Nifca Sport | Ohca | Palma | Peter | Prince | Prince Peerless | Proud | Romax | Rosen | Rubies | Sirius | Sun | Super | Tokiwa | Venus | Weha Idea | Weha Light
tefuda (8×10.5cm) Eagle | Idea A | Idea B | Idea No.1 | Idea (metal) | Iris | Lily (original) | Lily (horizontal) | Lily (metal) | Palma | Pearl No.3, No.4 | Minimum Pearl | Special Pearl | Sakura Palace | Sakura Pocket Prano | Star | Tokiwa | Weha
nimaigake (8×12cm) Eagle | Idea | Idea Binocular | Sakura Prano | Sakura Binocular Prano | Star Premo
hagaki (8×14cm) Eagle | Noble | Pearl No.3, No.4 | Star
kabine (12×16.5cm) Idea | Noble | Sakura Prano | Star Premo
Strut-folding cameras (edit)
No.0 (4×5cm) CH
atom (4.5×6cm) Idea Spring
meishi (5.5×8cm) Minimum Idea | Korok
daimeishi (6.5×9cm) Idea Spring | Minolta | Auto Minolta | Auto Press Minolta | Nifca-Dox | Vester Klapp
tefuda (8×10.5cm) Focal Happy | Idea Spring | Idea Telephoto
10×15cm Kongo Press
kabine (12×16.5cm) Idea Spring | Idea Telephoto
SLR cameras (edit)
atom (4.5×6cm) Simplex Reflex | Speed Reflex
meishi (5.5×8cm) Speed Reflex
daimeishi (6.5×9cm) Convex Reflex | Hogo Reflex | Idea Reflex (1932) | Neat Reflex | Simplex Reflex | Speed Reflex
tefuda (8×10.5cm) Idea Reflex (1910 and 1911) | Idea Reflex (1932) | Neat Reflex | Photo Deluxe Reflex | Speed Reflex
nimaigake (8×12cm) Idea Reflex (1910 and 1911) | Sakura Reflex Prano
kabine (12×16.5cm) Idea Reflex (1910 and 1911)
daikabine (13×18cm) Guaranteed Reflex
unknown Hardflex | Leinflex | Photoman Special Reflex
Stereo cameras
3.7×5cm Tokioscope
4×5in Idea Binocular | Sakura Binocular Prano
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 4.5×6, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Korok (コロク) or Vest Korok (ベストコロク) is a Japanese strut-folding plate camera. It was made from about 1914 by Rokuoh-sha, manufacturing branch of Konishi (predecessor of Konica), and it exists in 5.5×8cm (meishi) and 8×10.5cm (tefuda) size.[1] It was the successor of the Minimum Idea.

Name

The Roman name "Korok" is found in an original catalogue by Konishiroku; the Japanese name was written either "Koroku kamera" (コロク、カメラ) or "Vesuto Koroku kamera" (ヴヱスト、コロク、カメラ).[2]

In the 1920s or 1930s, the word "Vest" (Vesuto) would commonly designate 127 film in Japan (as in Minolta Vest); at the time of the Vest Korok, the prefix was simply used to remind the Vest Pocket Kodak.

The Japanese name "Koroku" was certainly formed after Konishi Rokuemon, name of the founder of the Konishi company; "Konishi Honten" and "Honten Konishi Rokuemon" were two alternative names of the company at the time. The name, pronounced as "Korok" or "Kolok", is also an obvious imitation of "Kodak".

Description

The Korok is one of the first Japanese cameras to have a metal body. It is inspired from the Vest Pocket Kodak and has a pop-out rectangular front standard mounted on trellis struts. This front standard contains a single brilliant finder at the top, in the middle, a meniscus lens and a simple shutter giving Time, Bulb and Instant settings selected by an index above the lens. The words MANUFACTURED BY ROKUOH-SHA TOKYO. are inscribed around the lens. The aperture is set by an index at the bottom, with four positions indicated both by the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and by words in kanji script.[3]

The rear part of the camera has no similarity with the Vest Pocket Kodak, and simply consists of a box with attachment rails for the ground glass or plate holders.

Versions

The advertisement for the Korok reproduced here at the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website presents the camera as a new model, evolved from the Minimum Idea through various improvements. The camera is called "Vest Korok Camera" (ヴヱスト、コロク、カメラ, Vesuto Koroku Kamera) in the title and simply "Korok Camera" (コロク、カメラ, Koroku Kamera) in the text. The format is mentioned as meishi size, approximately corresponding to 5.5×8cm. The camera was sold with six single-sided plate holders, the same as the Minimum Idea. It cost ¥15 with cloth wallets and ¥16 with a leather case.

It seems that the surviving example pictured in the various sources is one and the same.[4] Its format is quoted as 6.5×9cm or daimeishi in some sources, and as 57×83mm or meishi in others; the latter seems more plausible.[5] The picture in Sugiyama shows the full set, complete with original buck-skin wallets for the camera and for the six plate holders.[6]

According to Kikuoka, apparently quoting the official company history Shashin to tomo ni hyaku-nen, the camera also existed in 8×10.5cm (tefuda) size, and there was perhaps a wooden version in meishi (5.5×8cm) format, called the Sketch Camera (スケッチカメラ).[7]

Notes

  1. Date: Kikuoka, p.32 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, Sugiyama, item 1080, Lewis, p.35.
  2. "Korok", "Koroku kamera": catalogue by Konishiroku reproduced in Yazawa, p.4 of Camera Collectors' News no.259. "Vesuto Koroku kamera": advertisement reproduced in this page at the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website.
  3. Words in kanji script: Sugiyama, item 1080.
  4. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1080, in Yazawa, pp.1–3 and cover pages of Camera Collectors' News no.259, in Kikuoka, p.32 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, in Lewis, p.35, and in this page of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology. The camera is said to belong to M. Morihara in the three first sources, and the picture is the same in the last three.
  5. Format quoted as 6.5×9cm in Sugiyama, item 1080, and as daimeishi in Kikuoka, p.32 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10. — Format quoted as 57×83mm in Lewis, p.35, and in this page of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology, and as meishi (50×77mm actual picture size) in Yazawa, p.2 of Camera Collectors' News no.259. The most detailed account of the camera is found in Yazawa, who seems to have examined the actual example instead of mere pictures.
  6. Sugiyama, item 1080.
  7. Kikuoka, p.32 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.

Bibliography

Links

In Japanese: