Difference between revisions of "Matsushima"

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|| ''Cleaning cloth by Matsushima, offered with the [[Mirax]]. Scan by Jeffrey Felton. {{with permission}}.''
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|| ''Paper envelope for a cleaning cloth by Matsushima, offered with the [[Mirax]]. Scan by Jeffrey Felton. {{with permission}}.''
 
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'''Matsushima Megane-ten''' (松島眼鏡店, meaning Matsushima Glasses Shop) was a Japanese distributor active in the mid 1950s and based in Ginza, Tokyo.<REF> The exact address was Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Ginza 3–2 (東京都中央区銀座3–2). Source: advertisements listed below, dated November 1953 to August 1955. </REF> Its name implies that it was mainly an eyeglasses store, but it also had a photographic department (写真部). It is said that it was set up by "Mikami" (三神, ミカミ),<REF name="msj main"> [http://miranda-camera.xrea.jp/miranda/main.html Main page of the Miranda Society Japan]. </REF> either the name of an individual or that of another company.
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'''Matsushima''' was a Japanese camera store active in the 1950s, which notably distributed the [[Miranda|Orion and Miranda]] products.
  
It was distributing various products of [[Miranda|Orion Seiki]] at least from 1953 to 1955, including the [[Mirax]] reflex housing, [[Focabell]] bellows and [[Supreme lenses]], as well as the adapters for [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]].<REF name="adverts"> Advertisements listed below, dated November 1953 to August 1955. </REF> In 1955, it was also selling other accessories under the '''Unik''' brand, probably not made by Orion.<REF name="advert FAR80"> Advertisement in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art, p.22. </REF><REF name="advert ACA 1955"> Advertisement in {{ACA}} January 1955 (p.229), February 1955 (p.190), March 1955 (p.180), April 1955 (p.211) and August 1955 (p.206). </REF>
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== History ==
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The Matsushima camera store was founded in 1947 by Mikami Makoto (三神誠), who previously worked for [[Ishii and Echt|Ishii Shōkai]] from 1937 before he was mobilized.<REF name="KKS64 p10"> Hagiya, p.10 of {{KKS}} no.64. </REF> The store started as the photographic department (写真部) of '''Matsushima Megane-ten''' (松島眼鏡店, meaning Matsushima Glasses Shop), using a corner of the eyeglasses store.<REF name="KKS64 p10" /> It was situated in Ginza, Tokyo,<REF> The exact address was Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Ginza 3–2 (東京都中央区銀座3–2). Source: advertisements listed below, dated November 1953 to April 1958. </REF> next to [[Hattori|Hattori Tokei-ten]].<REF name="KKS64 p10" />
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At some time, Mikami met Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), founder of [[Miranda|Orion Seiki]], who was presented by their common acquaintance Nukui Teikichi (貫井提吉).<REF name="KKS64 p10" /> He was favourably impressed by the Orion products and decided to distribute them<REF name="KKS64 p10" /> at least as early as 1953;<REF> The earliest advertisement by Matushima showing Orion products found so far is in {{ACA}} November 1953, p.59. Advertisements for Orion products were previously placed by [[Summit|Summit Shōkai]]. </REF> these included the [[Mirax]] reflex housing, [[Focabell]] bellows and [[Supreme lenses]], as well as the [[Orion Coupler|Coupler]] and other adapters.<REF name="adverts"> Advertisements listed below, dated November 1953 to July 1958. </REF>
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Some time later, Ogihara, who was seeking capital to develop his [[Miranda T and TII|Miranda T]] SLR project, approached Mikami with the blueprints.<REF name="KKS64 p11"> Hagiya, p.11 of {{KKS}} no.64. </REF> Mikami decided to support the project, and provided funds to Orion Seiki, which became Orion Camera in 1955;<REF name="KKS64 p11" /> Matsushima thus became the first distributor of the Miranda T.
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At some point between 1955 and 1958, the company became '''Matsushima Shashin-yōhin K.K.''' (松島写真用品{{kabu}}, meaning Matsushima Photo Supply Co., Ltd.).<REF> The name Matsushima Megane-ten appears in the advertisement in {{ACA}} August 1955, p.206, and Matsushima Shashin-yōhin K.K. in the advertisement in {{SK}} April 1958 (p.317). </REF> In addition to the Orion and Miranda products, it was also selling various accessories under other brands, such as '''Unik''' c.1955<REF name="advert FAR80"> Advertisement in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art, p.22. </REF><REF name="adverts ACA 1955"> Advertisement in {{ACA}} January 1955, p.229, February 1955, p.190, March 1955, p.180, April 1955, p.211, and August 1955, p.206. </REF> and '''Macott''' c.1958.<REF name="advert SK 04/58"> Advertisement in {{SK}} April 1958, p.317. </REF><REF name="advert ACA 58"> Advertisements in {{ACA}} May 1958, p.221, and July 1958, p.213. </REF> Matsushima also offered to repair or improve all sorts of photographic products, for example to transform cameras and lenses from chrome to black finish, to add flash synchronization, and to make lens barrels or adapters for special needs.<REF name="advert SK 04/58" /><REF name="advert ACA 58" />
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Matsushima gradually became less involved in the distribution of [[Miranda]] products.<REF> The advertisement for Miranda cameras dated October 1955 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.200, was placed by Matsushima whereas those dated October 1957 and February 1959 reproduced on p.306 were placed by Miranda Camera itself. The last advertisement by Matsushima showing Miranda products known so far is that in {{SK}} April 1958 (p.317). </REF> By 1959, the cooperation had completely ceased and Miranda briefly entered distribution agreements with [[Riken|Ricoh]] before pulling back from the Japanese market. Matsushima ceased the camera retail business around the same time, and specialized in the design and manufacture of optical products for special needs, notably for TV cameras.<REF name="KKS64 p11" />
  
 
== Unik accessories ==
 
== Unik accessories ==
* Prismo pivoting [[brilliant finder]], slipped in the camera's accessory shoe (¥2,800)<REF name="advert FAR80" /><REF name="advert ACA 1955" />
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* Prismo pivoting [[brilliant finder]], slipped in the camera's accessory shoe (c.1955, ¥2,800)<REF name="advert FAR80" /><REF name="adverts ACA 1955" />
* Snap band, a hand strap attached in the tripod thread<REF name="advert FAR80" /><REF name="advert ACA 1955" />
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* Snap band, a hand strap attached in the tripod thread<REF name="advert FAR80" /><REF name="adverts ACA 1955" />
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* Macopy stand (c.1958, ¥6,800)<REF name="advert SK 04/58" /><REF name="advert ACA 58" />
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* Macott products<REF name="advert SK 04/58" /><REF name="advert ACA 58" />
  
 
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| colspan=2 | ''Advertisements by Matsushima. {{public domain Japan new}}.''
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||'' {{ACA}}, November 1953''
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||'' {{FAR}} special issue, June 1955''
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||'' {{SK}}, April 1958''
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|| ''Advertisements by Matsushima in {{ACA}} November 1953<br>and in the June 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}. {{public domain Japan new}}.''
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||'' {{ACA}}, May 1958''
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||'' {{ACA}}, July 1958''
 
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
* {{ACA}}. Advertisement by the photo department of [[Matsushima]] in November 1953 (p.59), January 1955 (p.229), February 1955 (p.190), March 1955 (p.180), April 1955 (p.211) and August 1955 (p.206).
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* {{ACA}}. Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima or Matsushima Megane-ten:
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** November 1953, p.59;
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** January 1955, p.229;
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** February 1955, p.190;
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** March 1955, p.180;
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** April 1955, p.211;
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** August 1955, p.206.
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* {{ACA}}. Advertisements by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin:
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** May 1958, p.221;
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** July 1958, p.213.
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* Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Miranda Sutōrī" (ミランダ・ストーリー, Miranda story). In {{KKS064}} Pp.9–12.
 
* {{FAR80}} Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima Megane-ten on p.22.
 
* {{FAR80}} Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima Megane-ten on p.22.
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* {{SK}} no.72, April 1958. Advertisement by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin on p.317.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
* Mention of Matsushima and Mikami in the [http://miranda-camera.xrea.jp/miranda/main.html main page] of the [http://miranda-camera.xrea.jp/ Miranda Society Japan]
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* Mention of Matsushima and Mikami in the [http://miranda.s32.xrea.com/miranda/index.html main page] of the [http://miranda.s32.xrea.com/ Miranda Society Japan]
  
 
[[Category: Japanese distributors]]
 
[[Category: Japanese distributors]]

Latest revision as of 10:42, 23 April 2019

Matsushima was a Japanese camera store active in the 1950s, which notably distributed the Orion and Miranda products.

History

The Matsushima camera store was founded in 1947 by Mikami Makoto (三神誠), who previously worked for Ishii Shōkai from 1937 before he was mobilized.[1] The store started as the photographic department (写真部) of Matsushima Megane-ten (松島眼鏡店, meaning Matsushima Glasses Shop), using a corner of the eyeglasses store.[1] It was situated in Ginza, Tokyo,[2] next to Hattori Tokei-ten.[1]

At some time, Mikami met Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), founder of Orion Seiki, who was presented by their common acquaintance Nukui Teikichi (貫井提吉).[1] He was favourably impressed by the Orion products and decided to distribute them[1] at least as early as 1953;[3] these included the Mirax reflex housing, Focabell bellows and Supreme lenses, as well as the Coupler and other adapters.[4]

Some time later, Ogihara, who was seeking capital to develop his Miranda T SLR project, approached Mikami with the blueprints.[5] Mikami decided to support the project, and provided funds to Orion Seiki, which became Orion Camera in 1955;[5] Matsushima thus became the first distributor of the Miranda T.

At some point between 1955 and 1958, the company became Matsushima Shashin-yōhin K.K. (松島写真用品㈱, meaning Matsushima Photo Supply Co., Ltd.).[6] In addition to the Orion and Miranda products, it was also selling various accessories under other brands, such as Unik c.1955[7][8] and Macott c.1958.[9][10] Matsushima also offered to repair or improve all sorts of photographic products, for example to transform cameras and lenses from chrome to black finish, to add flash synchronization, and to make lens barrels or adapters for special needs.[9][10]

Matsushima gradually became less involved in the distribution of Miranda products.[11] By 1959, the cooperation had completely ceased and Miranda briefly entered distribution agreements with Ricoh before pulling back from the Japanese market. Matsushima ceased the camera retail business around the same time, and specialized in the design and manufacture of optical products for special needs, notably for TV cameras.[5]

Unik accessories

  • Prismo pivoting brilliant finder, slipped in the camera's accessory shoe (c.1955, ¥2,800)[7][8]
  • Snap band, a hand strap attached in the tripod thread[7][8]
  • Macopy stand (c.1958, ¥6,800)[9][10]
  • Macott products[9][10]

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Hagiya, p.10 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.64.
  2. The exact address was Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Ginza 3–2 (東京都中央区銀座3–2). Source: advertisements listed below, dated November 1953 to April 1958.
  3. The earliest advertisement by Matushima showing Orion products found so far is in Asahi Camera November 1953, p.59. Advertisements for Orion products were previously placed by Summit Shōkai.
  4. Advertisements listed below, dated November 1953 to July 1958.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Hagiya, p.11 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.64.
  6. The name Matsushima Megane-ten appears in the advertisement in Asahi Camera August 1955, p.206, and Matsushima Shashin-yōhin K.K. in the advertisement in Shashin Kōgyō April 1958 (p.317).
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Advertisement in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art, p.22.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Advertisement in Asahi Camera January 1955, p.229, February 1955, p.190, March 1955, p.180, April 1955, p.211, and August 1955, p.206.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Advertisement in Shashin Kōgyō April 1958, p.317.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Advertisements in Asahi Camera May 1958, p.221, and July 1958, p.213.
  11. The advertisement for Miranda cameras dated October 1955 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.200, was placed by Matsushima whereas those dated October 1957 and February 1959 reproduced on p.306 were placed by Miranda Camera itself. The last advertisement by Matsushima showing Miranda products known so far is that in Shashin Kōgyō April 1958 (p.317).

Bibliography

  • Asahi Camera. Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima or Matsushima Megane-ten:
    • November 1953, p.59;
    • January 1955, p.229;
    • February 1955, p.190;
    • March 1955, p.180;
    • April 1955, p.211;
    • August 1955, p.206.
  • Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin:
    • May 1958, p.221;
    • July 1958, p.213.
  • Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Miranda Sutōrī" (ミランダ・ストーリー, Miranda story). In Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.64, June 2002. ISBN 4-257-13048-2. Miranda no keifu (ミランダの系譜, Miranda genealogy). Pp.9–12.
  • Photo Art rinji zōkan: Kamera akusesarī zensho (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラアクセサリー全書, Photo Art special issue: All the camera accessories). June 1955, no.80 of the magazine. Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima Megane-ten on p.22.
  • Shashin Kōgyō no.72, April 1958. Advertisement by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin on p.317.

Links