Tokiwa plate folders
The Tokiwa or Tokiwa Camera (トキワカメラ) are Japanese plate folders, about which little is known.
Origin
Most sources say that the were made by Kuribayashi.[1] Some add that the Tokiwa was based on the Kokka and was supplied to the company Tokiwa Kōgaku, which later provided Tokiwa lenses for other Kuribayashi cameras.[2] The mention of the Kokka is certainly a mistake, as the two cameras seem to have no part in common.
The original advertisements found so far were placed by Mizuno Shashinki-ten and say nothing of Tokiwa Kōgaku. In these, the camera name is written "Tokiwa Camera" in katakana: トキワカメラ. This name was certainly chosen by Mizuno as a reference to the Japanese word tokiwa written 常磐, meaning "eternity" or "evergreen". It has probably nothing to see with the family name Tokiwa, written 常盤, as found in the company name Tokiwa Kōgaku.
Known advertisements
The Tokiwa Camera was advertised in June 1935 in Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin.[3] Three models are listed in daimeishi size (6.5×9cm):
- No.1, single extension (一段伸), ¥24;
- No.2, one-and-a-half extension (一段半), ¥28;
- No.3, double extension (二段伸), ¥31.
The advertisement mentions f/4.5 and f/6.3 lenses, and the prices probably correspond to the cheaper lens. The picture shows the double extension model. It has an all-metal body and a small focusing wheel on the photographer's right. There is a brilliant finder with an attached bubble level, and a wireframe finder with an indent at the bottom and a rectangular eyepiece. A knob is visible above the front standard, controlling the vertical movements.
The Tokiwa Camera was also advertised in the July 1935 and January 1936 issues of Asahi Camera.[4] The January 1936 advertisement has the same picture as before, and the caption confirms that it shows the daimeishi Tokiwa no.3.[5] The range is extended by the addition of a tefuda model (8×10.5cm), and more details are given:
- No.1, daimeishi, single extension, no movements, from ¥24 with an f/6.3 lens;
- No.2, daimeishi, one-and-a-half extension, no movements, from ¥28 with an f/6.3 lens;
- No.3, daimeishi, true double extension, vertical movements, from ¥32 with an f/6.3 lens;
- No.0, tefuda, true double extension, vertical movements, from ¥45 with an f/6.3 lens.
Notes
- ↑ Made by Kuribayashi: Sugiyama, item 1251, Baird, pp.15 and 57–8 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras, McKeown, p.576.
- ↑ Supplied to Tokiwa Kōgaku: Baird, pp.15 and 57–8 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras, McKeown, p.576.
- ↑ Advertisement in Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin June 1st, 1935, reproduced on p.24 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.338.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.80.
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. Item 154.
- Baird, John R. Collectors guide to Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras. Grantsburg, WI (USA): Centennial Photo Service, 1991. ISBN 0-931838-16-9. Pp.15 and 57–8.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.576.
- Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin (日本写真興業通信). Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku (百号ごと十回の記録, Ten records, every hundred issues). Tokyo: Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin Sha (日本写真興業通信社), 1967. No ISBN number. P.24, corresponding to p.6 of the June 1st, 1935 issue.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 1251.
Kuribayashi prewar and wartime cameras ( ) | ||||
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rollfilm folders | ||||
Eagle | Speed Pocket | First Roll | First Center | Semi First | First Six | Baby Semi First | Semi Rotte | Hokoku | Mizuho | ||||
plate folders | rigid | SLR | TLR | unknown |
Mikuni | First | First Etui | Kokka | Romax | Tokiwa | Molby | Speed Reflex | First Reflex | Baby First |