Difference between revisions of "Yamashita"

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'''Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten,''' later '''Chūō Shashin-yōhin,''' was a Japanese distributor.
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{| class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align: center;"
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48271760451/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48271760451_2e0f76b9a0_m_d.jpg]
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|| ''Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, name and address.''<br>''{{public domain Japan old}}''
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'''Yamashita Shōten''' or '''Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten''', later '''Chūō Shashin-yōhin''', was a Japanese distributor.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
=== Prewar and wartime period ===
 
=== Prewar and wartime period ===
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The company '''Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten''' (山下友治郎商店, meaning "Yamashita Yūjirō Trading") was based in Tokyo.<REF> Its address from 1937 to 1942 was Tōkyō-shi Kōjimachi-ku Kōjimachi 1&ndash;6 (東京市麴町区麴町一丁目六). Source: advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;62, 74, 89&ndash;90, 92&ndash;3 and 106. </REF> Yamashita Yūjirō is a personal name, perhaps the name of the founder. The earliest document mentioning the company observed so far is dated April 1937,<REF> April 1937 advertisement for the [[Semi Proud (prewar)|Semi Proud]], reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;89. </REF> but the company was perhaps founded earlier: advertisements for the [[Sun Stereo]] dated 1935 are reported.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF> The company name was sometimes given as '''Yamashita Shōten''' (山下商店, meaning Yamashita Trading), without the first name Yūjirō.<REF> Advertisement dated February 1942 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;74. The [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371079&APage=8 Shinkoflex page of the JCII collection] says Yamashita Shōkai (山下商会) by mistake. </REF> (The address is identical, confirming that it is the same company.)
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{| class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align: center"
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48271862522/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48271862522_4eaecaf44f_t_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Rondo logo''<br>''{{fair use}}''
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|}
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The company '''Yamashita Shōten''' was already active in 1921. Its address at the time was Kōjimachi-ku Dōri 2–7 in Tokyo (東京市麴町通二丁目七番地).<REF> Advertisement in {{AR}} September 1921. </REF> It was sometimes called '''Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten''', where Yamashita Yūjirō is a personal name, perhaps that of the founder. The short and long name were used indifferently from the 1920s to the early 1940s.<REF> The earliest advertisement observed so far with "Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten" is in {{AR}} November 1924. The advertisement in {{SSA}} January 1934, and other advertisements dated March 1936 and February 1942 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.71 and 74, have the short form "Yamashita Shōten". The [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?no=103310371079 Shinkoflex page of the JCII collection] says Yamashita Shōkai (山下商会) by mistake. </REF> The address from 1935 to 1942 was Kōjimachi-ku Kōjimachi 1–6 (東京市麴町区麴町一丁目六).<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.62, 71, 74, 89–90, 92–3 and 106. The address is the same for  "Yamashita Shōten" and "Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten", confirming that this is the same company. </REF>
  
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Yamashita acted as authorized dealers for a variety of cameras. It was the sole distributor of products made by [[Shinkō Seiki|Shinkō]], among which the [[Shinkoflex]], the first Japanese 6&times;6 SLR.
+
Yamashita acted as authorized dealers for a variety of cameras. It was the sole distributor of products made by [[Shinkō Seiki|Shinkō]], among which the [[Shinkoflex]], the first Japanese 6×6 SLR.
  
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The company certainly owned the brand name "Rondo", under which it sold a variety of photographic products. The Rondo logo is a man's silhouette, it appeared on advertisements dated 1939 to 1942.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;89, 93 and 106, and [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/Bo1.jpg advertisements] reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website] and [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg advertisement] reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. </REF> It also sold a variant of the [[Tsubasa Super Semi]] under the name Rondex.<REF> Rondex distributed by Yamashita: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;344. </REF>
+
The company certainly owned the brand name "Rondo", under which it sold a variety of photographic products. The Rondo logo is a man's silhouette, it appeared on advertisements dated 1939 to 1942.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.89, 93 and 106, and [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg advertisement] reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. </REF> It also sold a variant of the [[Tsubasa Super Semi]] under the name Rondex.<REF> Rondex distributed by Yamashita: {{Kokusan}}, p.344. </REF>
  
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Yamashita certainly also owned the brand name "Sun", and it sold the [[Sun Stereo]] camera and offered an auto stop advance retrofit for 4.5&times;6 folders, called "Sun film stop".
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Yamashita certainly also owned the brand name "Sun", and it sold the [[Sun Stereo]] camera and offered an auto stop advance retrofit for 4.5×6 folders, called "Sun film stop".
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{| class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align: center"
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48271876692/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48271876692_24be0e9ab3_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Name and address of Chūō Shashin-yōhin''<br>''{{fair use}}''
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|}
  
 
=== Postwar period ===
 
=== Postwar period ===
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The company survived the war, and it was known as '''K.K. Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten''' ({{kabu}}山下友治郎商店) in early 1950.<REF> Advertisement dated February 1950 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;180. </REF> It was still based in Tokyo but the address was different: it became Chiyoda-ku Kanda Ogawamachi (千代田区神田小川町) 3&ndash;8.<REF> Source: advertisements dated from 1950 to 1959 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;117, 138, 150, 180&ndash;1 and 281. </REF>
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After the war, the company emerged in April 1946 as [[Chiyoda Shōkai]], based in Ginza and established by Yamashita Yūjirō and Hashimoto Tadamasa (橋本忠政), as was clearly stated in an advertisement in {{AR}}.<REF> Advertisement in {{AR}} April 1946, p.30. The exact address was Tōkyō-to Kyōbashi-ku Ginza 7–3 (東京都京橋区銀座七丁目三番地). </REF> The company Chiyoda Shōkai would operate well into the 1950s, but Yamashita Yūjirō probably left at some time to found another company, again called '''K.K. Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten''' ({{kabu}}山下友治郎商店), based in Ogawamachi and known to be active in February 1950.<REF> Advertisement dated February 1950 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.180. The address was Tōkyō-to Chiyoda-ku Kanda Ogawamachi 3–8 (東京都千代田区神田小川町3–8). </REF> In March or April 1950, the name of the company was changed to '''Chūō Shashin-yōhin K.K.''' (中央写真用品{{kabu}}), translated in English as '''Central Photo Supply Co., Ltd.''', at the same address.<REF> An advertisement dated April 1950, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.180, says that Chūō Shashin-yōhin is the new name of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten (山下友治郎商店改称). The English translation appears in an advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.117. The address in Ogawamachi is the same as that of K.K. Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, as appears in the advertisements dated 1950 to 1959 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.117, 138, 150, 180–1 and 281. </REF> The company used the brand name Rondo again from 1951 to 1959.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.117, 138, 150, 181 and 281. </REF> The most recent mention of the company found so far is dated February 1959.<REF> February 1959 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.281. </REF>
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The name of the company was changed to '''Chūō Shashin-yōhin K.K.''' (中央写真用品{{kabu}}) in March or April 1950.<REF> An advertisement dated April 1950, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;180, says that Chūō Shashin-yōhin is the new name of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten (山下友治郎商店改称). </REF> The English translation of the new name was '''Central Photo Supply Co., Ltd.'''<REF> English translation: advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;117. </REF> The company used the brand name Rondo again from 1951 to 1959.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;117, 138, 150, 181 and 281. </REF> The most recent document mentioning the company observed so far is dated February 1959.<REF> February 1959 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;281. </REF>
 
  
 
== Prewar and wartime products ==
 
== Prewar and wartime products ==
 
=== Cameras sold under a Yamashita brand ===
 
=== Cameras sold under a Yamashita brand ===
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* [[Sun Stereo]] (4.5&times;6 stereo box, 1935&ndash;7)
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* [[Sun Stereo]] (4.5×6 stereo box, 1935–7)
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* [[Tsubasa Super Semi|Rondex]] (4.5&times;6 folder, name variant of the [[Tsubasa Super Semi]], 1940)
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* [[Tsubasa Super Semi|Rondex]] (4.5×6 folder, name variant of the [[Tsubasa Super Semi]], 1940)
  
 
=== Cameras distributed by Yamashita ===
 
=== Cameras distributed by Yamashita ===
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* [[Shinkoflex]] (6&times;6 SLR with focal plane shutter, 1940)
+
* [[Boltax]] (25×25mm on [[Bolta film]], from 1938)
−
* [[Shinko Super]] (6&times;6 viewfinder with focal plane shutter, 1942)
+
* [[Shinkoflex]] (6×6 SLR with focal plane shutter, 1940)
−
* [[Rorox|Shinko Baby]] (3&times;4 viewfinder)
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* [[Shinko Super]] (6×6 viewfinder with focal plane shutter, 1942)
 +
* [[Rorox and Shinko Baby|Shinko Baby]] (3×4 viewfinder)
  
 
=== Cameras sold by Yamashita as authorized dealer ===
 
=== Cameras sold by Yamashita as authorized dealer ===
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* [[Hansa Semi Rollette]] and [[Union Ref and Hansa Rollette Ref|Hansa Rollette Ref]] (1937)<REF> Extract of the catalogue of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten dated April 20, 1937, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;84. </REF>
+
* [[Gold plate folders]] (1935–6)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.71. </REF>
−
* [[Bakyna]] (1937)<REF> Extract of the catalogue of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten dated April 20, 1937, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;91. </REF>
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* [[Baby Light]]<REF> Undated leaflet by Ōhashi Takeji Shōten. </REF>
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* [[Olympus Standard]], [[Olympus folders|Semi Olympus and Semi Olympus II]] (1937)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;62. </REF>
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* [[Hansa Semi Rollette]] and [[Union Ref and Hansa Rollette Ref|Hansa Rollette Ref]] (1937)<REF> Extract of the catalogue of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten dated April 20, 1937, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.84. </REF>
−
* [[Kigawa|Optochrom]] range (1937&ndash;9)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;78&ndash;9. </REF>
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* [[Bakyna]] (1937)<REF> Extract of the catalogue of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten dated April 20, 1937, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.91. </REF>
−
* [[Semi Proud (prewar)]] (1937&ndash;42)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;89&ndash;90. </REF>
+
* [[Semi Olympus]], [[Semi Olympus II]] and [[Olympus Standard]] (1937)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.62. </REF>
−
* [[Semi Prux]] (1940)<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;90. </REF>
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* [[Kigawa|Optochrom]] range (1937–9)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.78–9. </REF>
−
* [[Semi Rody]] (1941&ndash;2)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;89 and 106. </REF>
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* [[Semi Proud]] (1936–42)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.71 and 89–90. </REF>
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* [[Picny]] (1938)<REF> Advertisement reproduced in Awano, p.&nbsp;10 of ''Camera Collectors' News'' no.&nbsp;332. </REF>
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* [[Semi Prux]] (1940)<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.90. </REF>
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* [[Boltax]] (1938&ndash;42)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;89, 92&ndash;3 and 106, and in Awano, p.&nbsp;10 of ''Camera Collectors' News'' no.&nbsp;332. </REF>
+
* [[Semi Rody]] (1941–2)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.89 and 106. </REF>
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* [[Bolty]] (1942)<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;93. </REF>
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* [[Picny]] (1938)<REF> Advertisement reproduced in Awano, p.10 of {{CCN}} no.332. </REF>
−
* [[Zuiko|Enlarging Zuiko 50/4.5]]<REF> [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg Advertisement] reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. </REF>
+
* [[Boltax]] (1938–42)<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.89, 92–3 and 106, and in Awano, p.10 of {{CCN}} no.332. </REF>
 +
* [[Bolty]] (1942)<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.93. </REF>
 +
 
 +
=== Cameras imported by Yamashita ===
 +
In the mid-1920s, Yamashita imported the [[Thowe]] plate folder and the [[KW]] [[Patent Etui]].
 +
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" width=450px style="text-align: center;"
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48271814941/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48271814941_8d6c5b9e43_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Advertisement by Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten in ''[[Ars Camera]]'' November 1924, showing the [[Thowe]] plate folder (ソウヱカメラ) and the [[KW]] [[Patent Etui]]. {{public domain Japan old}}''
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|}
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 +
=== Aftermarket conversions ===
 +
In 1939, Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten advertised an auto-stop device called '''Sun film stop''' (サンフィルムストップ), offered as an aftermarket conversion for various 4.5×6 folding cameras. The conversion consists a metal casing replacing the regular advance key, supporting an advance knob, a large exposure counter disc and a sliding lever at the front to unlock the advance after each exposure. The device looks like the auto-stop mechanism of the [[Plaubel]] [[Roll-Op]] but is not a plain copy. It was made by an unknown company. The January 1939 advertisement in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' shows the Sun film stop mounted on a Semi Prince with [[Pronto]] shutter, gives the price of ¥5 and says that the conversion was available for the 4.5×6 [[Super Ikonta]], [[Ikonta]], [[Nettar]], [[Welta Perle]], [[Semi Lyra]], [[Semi Minolta (I) and II|Semi Minolta]] and [[Semi Prince]].<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.92. </REF>
  
 
=== Other ===
 
=== Other ===
 +
* [[Zuiko|Enlarging Zuiko 50/4.5]]<REF> [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg Advertisement] reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. </REF>
 
* Shinko enlarger (1942)
 
* Shinko enlarger (1942)
 +
* flexible hoods, 27mm, 28mm and 30mm diameter (sold for ¥3.50 each in 1939)<REF> Column in {{ACA}} January 1939, p.190. </REF>
  
 
== Postwar products ==
 
== Postwar products ==
Line 46: Line 76:
 
==== Bolta film cameras ====
 
==== Bolta film cameras ====
 
* Bolta Homer
 
* Bolta Homer
 +
* Tri Flex (24×24mm pseudo TLR)
  
 
==== 35mm film cameras ====
 
==== 35mm film cameras ====
 
* Autofocus Tele Homer (or "Outofocas Tere Homer"<!-- sic -->)
 
* Autofocus Tele Homer (or "Outofocas Tere Homer"<!-- sic -->)
−
* [[Sunny]] (24&times;24mm, 1951)
+
* [[Sunny]] (24×24mm, 1951)
−
* [[Aruba 35]] (24&times;24mm, 1953)
+
* [[Aruba 35]] (24×24mm, 1953)
−
* [[Aruba 35|Aruba 35 II]] (24&times;36mm, 1953)
+
* [[Aruba 35 II]] (24×36mm, 1953)
−
{{McKeown}} attributes the [[Wacoh A]] to Chūō. This camera was actually made by [[National Kōgaku]] but it was perhaps distributed by the company.
+
The [[Wacoh A]], made by [[National Kōgaku]] is attributed to Chūō in some sources, perhaps because it was distributed by the company.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 3829, repeated in {{MK}}, p.206. </REF>
 +
<!-- I'm assuming these go here, with no evidence of anyone else using the brand name: both trap-needle/EE auto exposure -AWCam -->
 +
* [[Rondo Colormatic]]
 +
* Rondo Auto-35
  
 
==== 120 film cameras ====
 
==== 120 film cameras ====
−
* [[Dox]] (6&times;9cm box, 1951&ndash;2)
+
* [[Dox]] (6×9cm box, 1951–2)
−
* [[Dox|Dox New Six]] (6&times;6cm box, 1951&ndash;2)
+
* [[Dox|Dox New Six]] (6×6cm box, 1951–2)
−
* [[Ponix]] (6&times;6cm viewfinder, 1954&ndash;7)
+
* [[Ponix]] (6×6cm viewfinder, 1954–7)
−
* [[Ponix|Ponix Junior]] (6&times;6cm viewfinder, 1957&ndash;9)
+
* [[Ponix|Ponix Junior]] (6×6cm viewfinder, 1957–9)
−
* [[Ponix|Super Ponix]] (6&times;6cm viewfinder, 1958)
+
* [[Ponix|Super Ponix]] (6×6cm viewfinder, 1958)
−
* [[Ponix|Ponix assembly set]] (6&times;6cm viewfinder, 1958&ndash;9)
+
* [[Ponix|Ponix assembly set]] (6×6cm viewfinder, 1958–9)
−
* [[Shumy and Harmony|Shumy]] (6&times;6cm viewfinder, also sold as the Flashline)
+
* [[Shumy and Harmony|Shumy]] (6×6cm viewfinder, also sold as the Flashline)
−
* [[Shumy and Harmony|Harmony]] (6&times;6cm viewfinder)
+
* [[Shumy and Harmony|Harmony]] (6×6cm viewfinder)
−
[http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.24.htm This page of the AJCC website] attributes the [[Semi Dak]] to Chūō but other sources attribute it to Asahi Shōten (朝日商店).<REF> Asahi Shōten: Sugiyama, item 4175; {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;354. </REF>
+
[http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.24.htm This page of the AJCC website] attributes the [[Semi Dak]] to Chūō but other sources attribute it to Asahi Shōten (朝日商店).<REF> Asahi Shōten: {{SUG}}, item 4175; {{Kokusan}}, p.354. </REF>
  
 
=== Other ===
 
=== Other ===
−
* Shinko enlarger (1942)
 
 
* Center enlarger (1951)
 
* Center enlarger (1951)
 
* Minicam copy kit, a repro stand for [[Leica]] and [[Canon]] rangefinder cameras (1951)
 
* Minicam copy kit, a repro stand for [[Leica]] and [[Canon]] rangefinder cameras (1951)
−
* [[Rondo]] viewer (1952)
+
* Rondo viewer (1952)
 
* Enlarger meter (1952)
 
* Enlarger meter (1952)
−
* various [[Rondo]] accessories (around 1957&ndash;9)
+
* various Rondo accessories (around 1957–9)
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 77: Line 110:
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 +
* {{AR}}. Advertisements by Yamashita Shōten in September 1921 and February 1922, by Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten in November 1924. No page numbers.
 +
* {{AR}}. Advertisement by [[Chiyoda Shōkai]] in April 1946 (p.30).
 
* {{Showa10}}
 
* {{Showa10}}
−
* Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Picny" (ピクニー). In ''[[Camera Collectors' News]]'' no.&nbsp;332 (February 2005). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
+
* {{ACA}}. "Atarashii kikai to zairyō" (新しい機械と材料, New equipment and materials), January 1939, pp.189–91. (Briefly mentions Yamashita Shōten as the distributor of flexible hoods.)
 +
* Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Picny" (ピクニー). In {{CCN}} no.332 (February 2005). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
 +
* {{McKeown12}}
 +
* [[Ōhashi|Ōhashi Takeji Shōten]] (大橋武治商店). Leaflet for the Baby Light and the Cross filters and hood. Date not indicated. Document partly reproduced in [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/albums/72157712044466583/ this Flickr album] by Rebollo_fr.
 +
* {{SSA}}. Advertisement by Yamashita Shōten in January 1934. No page number.
 +
* {{Zukan}}
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
−
* [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/Bo1.jpg Advertisements for the Boltax] showing the Rondo logo, published in the 8 March and 15 November 1939 and 4 September 1940 issues of ''[[Asahi Graph]]'' and reproduced in the [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki-v.htm small format camera page] of the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]
 
 
* [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg Advertisement for the enlarging Zuiko 50/4.5] showing the Rondo logo, published in 1941 and reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page by Toshio Inamura
 
* [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg Advertisement for the enlarging Zuiko 50/4.5] showing the Rondo logo, published in 1941 and reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page by Toshio Inamura
 +
 +
In French
 +
* [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/index.php?/category/773 Chuo page] at [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/ Collection G. Even's site]
  
 
[[Category: Japanese distributors]]
 
[[Category: Japanese distributors]]

Latest revision as of 18:59, 9 December 2019

48271760451_2e0f76b9a0_m_d.jpg
Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, name and address.
(Image rights)

Yamashita Shōten or Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, later Chūō Shashin-yōhin, was a Japanese distributor.

History

Prewar and wartime period

48271862522_4eaecaf44f_t_d.jpg
Rondo logo
(Image rights)

The company Yamashita Shōten was already active in 1921. Its address at the time was Kōjimachi-ku Dōri 2–7 in Tokyo (東京市麴町通二丁目七番地).[1] It was sometimes called Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, where Yamashita Yūjirō is a personal name, perhaps that of the founder. The short and long name were used indifferently from the 1920s to the early 1940s.[2] The address from 1935 to 1942 was Kōjimachi-ku Kōjimachi 1–6 (東京市麴町区麴町一丁目六).[3]

Yamashita acted as authorized dealers for a variety of cameras. It was the sole distributor of products made by Shinkō, among which the Shinkoflex, the first Japanese 6×6 SLR.

The company certainly owned the brand name "Rondo", under which it sold a variety of photographic products. The Rondo logo is a man's silhouette, it appeared on advertisements dated 1939 to 1942.[4] It also sold a variant of the Tsubasa Super Semi under the name Rondex.[5]

Yamashita certainly also owned the brand name "Sun", and it sold the Sun Stereo camera and offered an auto stop advance retrofit for 4.5×6 folders, called "Sun film stop".

48271876692_24be0e9ab3_d.jpg
Name and address of Chūō Shashin-yōhin
(Image rights)

Postwar period

After the war, the company emerged in April 1946 as Chiyoda Shōkai, based in Ginza and established by Yamashita Yūjirō and Hashimoto Tadamasa (橋本忠政), as was clearly stated in an advertisement in Ars Camera.[6] The company Chiyoda Shōkai would operate well into the 1950s, but Yamashita Yūjirō probably left at some time to found another company, again called K.K. Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten (㈱山下友治郎商店), based in Ogawamachi and known to be active in February 1950.[7] In March or April 1950, the name of the company was changed to Chūō Shashin-yōhin K.K. (中央写真用品㈱), translated in English as Central Photo Supply Co., Ltd., at the same address.[8] The company used the brand name Rondo again from 1951 to 1959.[9] The most recent mention of the company found so far is dated February 1959.[10]

Prewar and wartime products

Cameras sold under a Yamashita brand

Cameras distributed by Yamashita

Cameras sold by Yamashita as authorized dealer

Cameras imported by Yamashita

In the mid-1920s, Yamashita imported the Thowe plate folder and the KW Patent Etui.

48271814941_8d6c5b9e43_d.jpg
Advertisement by Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten in Ars Camera November 1924, showing the Thowe plate folder (ソウヱカメラ) and the KW Patent Etui. (Image rights)

Aftermarket conversions

In 1939, Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten advertised an auto-stop device called Sun film stop (サンフィルムストップ), offered as an aftermarket conversion for various 4.5×6 folding cameras. The conversion consists a metal casing replacing the regular advance key, supporting an advance knob, a large exposure counter disc and a sliding lever at the front to unlock the advance after each exposure. The device looks like the auto-stop mechanism of the Plaubel Roll-Op but is not a plain copy. It was made by an unknown company. The January 1939 advertisement in Asahi Camera shows the Sun film stop mounted on a Semi Prince with Pronto shutter, gives the price of ¥5 and says that the conversion was available for the 4.5×6 Super Ikonta, Ikonta, Nettar, Welta Perle, Semi Lyra, Semi Minolta and Semi Prince.[23]

Other

Postwar products

These products were distributed by Yamashita then by Chūō.

Bolta film cameras

  • Bolta Homer
  • Tri Flex (24×24mm pseudo TLR)

35mm film cameras

  • Autofocus Tele Homer (or "Outofocas Tere Homer")
  • Sunny (24×24mm, 1951)
  • Aruba 35 (24×24mm, 1953)
  • Aruba 35 II (24×36mm, 1953)

The Wacoh A, made by National Kōgaku is attributed to Chūō in some sources, perhaps because it was distributed by the company.[26]

120 film cameras

This page of the AJCC website attributes the Semi Dak to Chūō but other sources attribute it to Asahi Shōten (朝日商店).[27]

Other

  • Center enlarger (1951)
  • Minicam copy kit, a repro stand for Leica and Canon rangefinder cameras (1951)
  • Rondo viewer (1952)
  • Enlarger meter (1952)
  • various Rondo accessories (around 1957–9)

Notes

  1. ↑ Advertisement in Ars Camera September 1921.
  2. ↑ The earliest advertisement observed so far with "Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten" is in Ars Camera November 1924. The advertisement in Shashin Salon January 1934, and other advertisements dated March 1936 and February 1942 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.71 and 74, have the short form "Yamashita Shōten". The Shinkoflex page of the JCII collection says Yamashita Shōkai (山下商会) by mistake.
  3. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.62, 71, 74, 89–90, 92–3 and 106. The address is the same for "Yamashita Shōten" and "Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten", confirming that this is the same company.
  4. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.89, 93 and 106, and advertisement reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura.
  5. ↑ Rondex distributed by Yamashita: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.344.
  6. ↑ Advertisement in Ars Camera April 1946, p.30. The exact address was Tōkyō-to Kyōbashi-ku Ginza 7–3 (東京都京橋区銀座七丁目三番地).
  7. ↑ Advertisement dated February 1950 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.180. The address was Tōkyō-to Chiyoda-ku Kanda Ogawamachi 3–8 (東京都千代田区神田小川町3–8).
  8. ↑ An advertisement dated April 1950, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.180, says that Chūō Shashin-yōhin is the new name of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten (山下友治郎商店改称). The English translation appears in an advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.117. The address in Ogawamachi is the same as that of K.K. Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, as appears in the advertisements dated 1950 to 1959 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.117, 138, 150, 180–1 and 281.
  9. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.117, 138, 150, 181 and 281.
  10. ↑ February 1959 advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.281.
  11. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.71.
  12. ↑ Undated leaflet by Ōhashi Takeji Shōten.
  13. ↑ Extract of the catalogue of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten dated April 20, 1937, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.84.
  14. ↑ Extract of the catalogue of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten dated April 20, 1937, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.91.
  15. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.62.
  16. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.78–9.
  17. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.71 and 89–90.
  18. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.90.
  19. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.89 and 106.
  20. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Awano, p.10 of Camera Collectors' News no.332.
  21. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.89, 92–3 and 106, and in Awano, p.10 of Camera Collectors' News no.332.
  22. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.93.
  23. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92.
  24. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura.
  25. ↑ Column in Asahi Camera January 1939, p.190.
  26. ↑ Sugiyama, item 3829, repeated in McKeown, p.206.
  27. ↑ Asahi Shōten: Sugiyama, item 4175; Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.354.

Bibliography

  • Ars Camera. Advertisements by Yamashita Shōten in September 1921 and February 1922, by Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten in November 1924. No page numbers.
  • Ars Camera. Advertisement by Chiyoda Shōkai in April 1946 (p.30).
  • 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.
  • Asahi Camera. "Atarashii kikai to zairyō" (新しい機械と材料, New equipment and materials), January 1939, pp.189–91. (Briefly mentions Yamashita Shōten as the distributor of flexible hoods.)
  • Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Picny" (ピクニー). In Camera Collectors' News no.332 (February 2005). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
  • 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).
  • Ōhashi Takeji Shōten (大橋武治商店). Leaflet for the Baby Light and the Cross filters and hood. Date not indicated. Document partly reproduced in this Flickr album by Rebollo_fr.
  • Shashin Salon. Advertisement by Yamashita Shōten in January 1934. No page number.
  • 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.

Links

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