Difference between revisions of "Tsubasa Arawashi"
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== Name == | == Name == | ||
− | The Japanese word ''tsubasa'', usually written 翼, means "wing" or "pair of wings", and the word ''arawashi'', usually written 荒鷲, means "wild eagle" or "ace pilot". They appear in ''katakana'' (ツバサ and アラワシ) in advertisements seen so far. (An advertisement dated 1940<REF> Advertisement published in the April 1940 issue of ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 79. </REF> shows a stylized bird of prey with outstretched wings.) | + | The Japanese word ''tsubasa'', usually written 翼, means "wing" or "pair of wings", and the word ''arawashi'', usually written 荒鷲, means "wild eagle" or "ace pilot".<REF> Sugiyama, p. 11, says that the Arawashi was "named after the famous bomber", but no Japanese aircraft seems to have been called that way. </REF> They appear in ''katakana'' (ツバサ and アラワシ) in advertisements seen so far. (An advertisement dated 1940<REF> Advertisement published in the April 1940 issue of ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 79. </REF> shows a stylized bird of prey with outstretched wings.) |
== Description == | == Description == | ||
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The '''early model''' has the advance knob at the bottom right and the back hinged to the left. There are film flanges on both ends of the top plate. | The '''early model''' has the advance knob at the bottom right and the back hinged to the left. There are film flanges on both ends of the top plate. | ||
− | In | + | In advertisements dated June and July 1939<REF> June 1939 advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 79. July 1939 advertisement published in ''Camera'', reproduced in [http://www.warbirds.jp/heiki/350000.htm this page of the Heiki Seikatsu website]. </REF>, this model was offered in two versions: |
* New Gold f/6.3 lens and Tsubasa B, 25–100 shutter ({{yen|20|1939}}); | * New Gold f/6.3 lens and Tsubasa B, 25–100 shutter ({{yen|20|1939}}); | ||
* New Gold f/4.5 lens and Tsubasa T, B, 25–150 shutter ({{yen|30|1939}}). | * New Gold f/4.5 lens and Tsubasa T, B, 25–150 shutter ({{yen|30|1939}}). | ||
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* {{Showa10}} Item 148. (See also the advertisement for item 150.) | * {{Showa10}} Item 148. (See also the advertisement for item 150.) | ||
* {{Zukan}} Item 4101. | * {{Zukan}} Item 4101. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Links == | ||
+ | In Japanese: | ||
+ | * Advertisement for the Tsubasa Arawashi published in the July 1939 issue of ''Camera'', reproduced in [http://www.warbirds.jp/heiki/350000.htm this page] of the [http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~heikiseikatsu/index.html Heiki Seikatsu website] | ||
== Timeline == | == Timeline == |
Revision as of 21:58, 22 January 2007
The Tsubasa Arawashi (ツバサ・アラワシ) is a 3×4 camera made by the Japanese company Optochrom in 1939–40.[1]
Contents
Name
The Japanese word tsubasa, usually written 翼, means "wing" or "pair of wings", and the word arawashi, usually written 荒鷲, means "wild eagle" or "ace pilot".[2] They appear in katakana (ツバサ and アラワシ) in advertisements seen so far. (An advertisement dated 1940[3] shows a stylized bird of prey with outstretched wings.)
Description
The Tsubasa Arawashi has a crudely shaped metal body. The tubular optical finder is in the middle of the top plate. A large black knurled ring supports the lens and shutter assembly. The film advance is certainly controlled by red windows.
All the models have an everset shutter. The shutter plate is marked TSUBASA SHUTTER at the top with a NE logo between both words, and NEW GOLD at the bottom.
Evolution
Early model, bottom advance
The early model has the advance knob at the bottom right and the back hinged to the left. There are film flanges on both ends of the top plate.
In advertisements dated June and July 1939[4], this model was offered in two versions:
- New Gold f/6.3 lens and Tsubasa B, 25–100 shutter (¥20);
- New Gold f/4.5 lens and Tsubasa T, B, 25–150 shutter (¥30).
In an advertisement dated September 1939[5], the features were the same but the lens name was changed to Lucomar.
Late model, top advance
The late model has the advance knob at the top left and the back hinged to the right. The body is upside down compared to the previous model. The back latch is modified and consists of a long sliding bar.[6]
This model was advertised in April 1940[7], in both f/6.3 and f/4.5 versions. The prices were the same and the shutter speeds were not given.
It seems that an intermediate model exists with the top advance knob, the back hinged to the right and the old type of back latch. It has been observed in an undated catalogue, where it is presented together with the Tsubasa Chrome, Olympic Four and Vest Olympic.[8] An example has also been observed in this configuration, but it has a folding frame finder for 4×6.5cm and 3×4cm format which is obviously not original, and which was perhaps attached to the bottom of the camera.
Notes
- ↑ Dates: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
- ↑ Sugiyama, p. 11, says that the Arawashi was "named after the famous bomber", but no Japanese aircraft seems to have been called that way.
- ↑ Advertisement published in the April 1940 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 79.
- ↑ June 1939 advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 79. July 1939 advertisement published in Camera, reproduced in this page of the Heiki Seikatsu website.
- ↑ Published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 79.
- ↑ This model is pictured in Sugiyama, item 4101.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 79.
- ↑ Catalogue observed at a Yahoo Japan auction.
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 148. (See also the advertisement for item 150.)
- 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 4101.
Links
In Japanese:
- Advertisement for the Tsubasa Arawashi published in the July 1939 issue of Camera, reproduced in this page of the Heiki Seikatsu website
Timeline
Kigawa timeline ( ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
3×4 | rigid | Baby Chrome | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baby Oso | Tsubasa Oso | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tsubasa Arawashi | ... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4×6.5 | telescopic | Tsubasa Chrome | ... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
folding | Tsubasa Spring | ... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.5×6 | strut folding | Semi Chrome B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
horizontal folding | Tsubasa Super Semi | ... | _ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tsubasa II Super Semi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tsubasa Nettar | Tsubasa Kiko Three | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
vertical folding | Semi Chrome A | Semi Sixteenth (dates unclear) |
Semi Kulax | Kiko Semi | ... | _ | Tsubasa Semi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6×6 | horizontal folding | Gotex | ... | ... | Poppy Six (dates unknown) |
... | Carl Six | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TLR | Kiko Flex | Tsubasaflex | Graceflex | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16mm | subminiature | ... | Poppy (dates unknown) |
... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufacturer: | ... | Kigawa Seimitsu | ... | Kigawa Kōgaku | Carl Kōgaku | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shin Nippon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributor: | Optochrom-sha | ... | Nichiei Shōkai | Kikō Shōji | ... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cameras whose actual existence is dubious are in a lighter shade. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cameras in yellow are variants sold and maybe assembled by other companies. |