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'''K.K. Kuwata Shōkai''' (株式会社桑田商会) was a Japanese distributor, based in Osaka.<REF> Its address in 1936 was Ōsaka-shi Nishi-ku Shinmachi-dōri 1-chōme 2-banchi (大阪市西区新町通一丁目二番地), and from 1937 to 1939 it was Ōsaka-shi Nishi-ku Itachibori Minami-dōri 1 (大阪市西区立売堀南通一). </REF> It was found at the beginning of the century.<REF> Lewis, pp.27–8. </REF> Between 1936 and 1942, it distributed the [[Mulber (3×4)]] camera, the [[Mulber Six]], the [[Semi Mulber]], the [[Mulix]] and the [[Seica and Andes Four|Seica]].
  
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|| ''Advertisement by Kuwata in {{ACA}} June 1938. {{with permission}}''
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'''K.K. Kuwata Shōkai''' ({{kabu}}桑田商会) was a Japanese distributor, based in Osaka<REF> Its address in 1936 and early 1937 was Ōsaka-shi Nishi-ku Shinmachi-dōri 1–2 (大阪市西区新町通一丁目二番地); from May 1937 it was Ōsaka-shi Nishi-ku Itachibori Minami-dōri 1–13 (大阪市西区立売堀南通一丁目十三番地). Source: advertisements in {{ACA}} April 1936 to September 1939. </REF> and founded at the beginning of the 20th century.<REF> Lewis, pp.27–8. </REF>
   
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Kuwata was probably the owner of the "Mulber" brand. However the name '''Mulber Camera Works''' appears on the shutter plate of the [[Mulber (3×4)]] camera and in an advertisement dated March 1936 for the same camera<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.95. </REF> (under "Murber Camera Works"). It is unclear if Mulber Camera Works was an independent company, just Kuwata's manufacturing branch, or some sub-contractor.
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In 1936, Kuwata released the [[Mulber (3×4)]] and [[Mulber Six]] cameras. Kuwata was certainly the owner of the "Mulber" brand, and the cameras were certainly made by third-party manufacturers. The name "Mulber Camera Works" appears on the shutter plate of the [[Mulber (3×4)]] camera and in original advertising documents,<REF> See [[Mulber (3×4)]]. </REF> but that was certainly a dummy name, as other names ending in [[Camera Works]].
   
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In 1939, Kuwata released the [[Semi Mulber]], a rebadged version of the [[Semi Kinka]] made by [[Yamamoto Shashinki Kōsakusho]]; the same camera was also sold by [[Ricoh|Riken]] as the [[Adler B]]. In 1940, it started distributing the [[Seica and Andes Four|Seica]], a 4×4cm camera made by an unknown manufacturer, that was previously distributed by [[Ricoh|Riken]]. This might indicate that the company was involved into commercial agreements with [[Ricoh|Riken]].
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Some products distributed by Kuwata are called KKS or have a ''KKS'' marking, whose significance is unknown. (We can speculate something like <U>K</U>uwata <U>K</U>ōki <U>S</U>eisakusho or <U>K</U>uwata <U>K</U>ōgaku <U>S</U>eisakusho, meaning Kuwata Optical Works.)
  
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The Kuwata company used "KKS" initials in the name of various products, or applied a ''KKS'' marking. The significance of these initials is unknown.
   
 
Kuwata Shōkai survived the war, and it was an authorized dealer of the [[Shinkoh Rabbit]] in 1953.
  
Kuwata Shōkai survived the war, and it was an authorized dealer of the [[Shinkoh Rabbit]] in 1953.
   
 
== Cameras distributed ==
  
== Cameras distributed ==
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| width=100px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/5057381575/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5057381575_02f79130f2_t.jpg]
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| width=100px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1516284045/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2011/1516284045_9078e54983_t.jpg]
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| width=120px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/314365528/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/114/314365528_65581f6f51_t.jpg]
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|-
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| style="vertical-align: top;" | ''[[Mulber (3×4)]]''
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| style="vertical-align: top;" | ''[[Mulber Six]]''
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| style="vertical-align: top;" | ''[[Semi Mulber]], second model''
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| style="vertical-align: top;" | ''[[Mulix]]''
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|}
 
=== 127 film ===
  
=== 127 film ===
 
* [[Mulber (3×4)]]
  
* [[Mulber (3×4)]]
 
* [[Seica and Andes Four|Seica]] (4×4)
  
* [[Seica and Andes Four|Seica]] (4×4)
   
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<div class="plainlinks floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/314365528/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/114/314365528_65581f6f51_t_d.jpg]</div>
  
 
=== 120 film ===
  
=== 120 film ===
⚫
* [[Semi Mulber]] (4.5×6)
  
 
* [[Mulber Six]] (6×6)
  
* [[Mulber Six]] (6×6)
  ⚫
* [[Semi Mulber]] (4.5×6):
  +
** the first model is a rebadged [[Semi Kinka]], made by [[Yamamoto Shashinki Kōsakusho]]
  +
** the second model was reportedly made by [[Condor Camera|Motodori]]
 
* [[Mulix]] (6×6)
  
* [[Mulix]] (6×6)
  +
The [[Gotex and Poppy Six|Green]], a rebadged version of the [[Gotex and Poppy Six|Gotex]] by [[Kigawa]], has the exact same ''KKS'' logo as the Mulix; this might indicate that the camera was distributed by Kuwata.
   
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== Other ==
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== Other products ==
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|-
  
|-
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|| ''Mulber rangefinder,<br>from {{ACA}} November 1936.<br>{{public domain Japan old}}''
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|| ''KKS Anastigmat Mulber 21cm f/4.5.''<br>''Picture courtesy of Jay Tepper at [http://www.jay-tepper.com/ www.jay-tepper.com]. {{with permission}}''
  
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||
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|| ''KKS Anastigmat Mulber 21cm f/4.5.<br>That particular example is missing the diaphragm ring.<br>Picture courtesy of [http://www.jay-tepper.com/ Jay Tepper]. {{with permission}}''
 
|}
  
|}
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Kuwata also distributed other products:
  
⚫
* Mulber filters;<REF> Advertisements dated June and September 1939, October 1940 and February 1941 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.77 and 95–6. Advertisement on p.17 of ''Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin'', December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.51 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF>
  
⚫
* Mulber accessory rangefinder, sold ¥15 in 1936;<REF> Advertisement dated December 1936 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.95. </REF>
  
⚫
* KKS Anastigmat Mulber 210/4.5 large format lens, reported to have no diaphragm, sold ¥125 in 1941;<REF> Advertisement dated February 1941 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.77. An example sold in an online auction was reported to have no diaphragm. </REF>
  
⚫
* Bimagon (ビマゴン) wide-angle attachment for the 210/4.5 lens, sold ¥35 in 1941;<REF> Advertisement dated February 1941 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.77. </REF>
  
⚫
* Magnon Special 75/4.5 enlarging lens, advertised in 1940;<REF> Advertisement dated October 1940 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.95. </REF>
  
⚫
* KKS darkroom chemicals.<REF> Advertisements by Kuwata, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.77, 95 and 96. </REF>
  
   
  ⚫
* KKS Anastigmat Mulber 21cm f/4.5 large format lens, diaphragm to f/32,<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> sold ¥125 in 1941<REF name="ACA 02-04/41"> Advertisements in {{ACA}} February 1941 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.77, and in {{ACA}} April 1941, p.512. </REF>
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In the early 1930s, Kuwata was the importer of the Gevaert products.
  
  +
* Bimagon (ビマゴン) wide-angle attachment for Mulber, [[Tessar]], [[Yamasaki|Congo]] or [[T.Y.O.W.|Taiyo]] 21cm f/4.5 lenses, sold ¥35 or ¥45 in 1941<REF name="ACA 02-04/41" />
  ⚫
* Mulber accessory rangefinder, sold ¥15 in 1936<REF> Advertisements in {{ACA}} November 1936, p.A65, and December 1936, p.A61. That dated December is also reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.95. </REF>
  ⚫
* Mulber filters<REF> Advertisements in {{ACA}} June and September 1939, October 1940 and February 1941, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.77 and 95–6, advertisement in {{ACA}} April 1941, p.512, and advertisement on p.17 of {{NSKT}}, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.51 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF>
  ⚫
* Magnon enlarger, advertised in 1941<REF> Advertisement in {{ACA}} April 1941, p.512. </REF>
  ⚫
* Magnon Special 75/4.5 enlarging lens, advertised in 1940<REF> Advertisement in {{ACA}} October 1940, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.95. </REF>
  +
* Mulber flash powder<REF> Advertisements in {{ACA}} May 1937, p.A65, June 1937, p.A52, and July 1937, p.A54. </REF>
  ⚫
* KKS darkroom chemicals<REF> Advertisements in {{ACA}} April 1939 and February 1941, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.77 and 95. </REF>
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" width=400px style="text-align: center;"
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|-
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|| ''Advertisement in {{ACA}} April 1941, showing the Mulber 21cm f/4.5 lens and Magnon enlarger. {{public domain Japan old}}''
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|}
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== Imports ==
  +
In the early 1930s, Kuwata was the importer of Gevaert products. In 1938, it advertised the German [[Certo]] [[Dollina|Dollina III]], but it is not known if it was the importer or a mere retailer.
  +
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
  
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/2217788776/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2217788776_b03acd7983_d.jpg]
  
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/2217788776/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2217788776_b03acd7983_d.jpg]
 
|-
  
|-
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|| ''Advertisements for Gevaert products in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' February 1930. {{public domain Japan old}}''
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|| ''Advertisements for Gevaert products in {{ACA}} February 1930. {{public domain Japan old}}''
 
|}
  
|}
   
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== Bibliography ==
  
== Bibliography ==
−
* ''[[Asahi Camera]]''. Advertisement by Kuwata Shōkai in February 1930 (p.A17).
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* {{ACA}}. Advertisements by Kuwata Shōkai:
  +
** February 1930, p.A17;
  +
** April 1936, p.A26;
  +
** July 1936, p.A44;
  +
** August 1936, p.A48;
  +
** September 1936, p.A56;
  +
** October 1936, p.A63;
  +
** November 1936, p.A65;
  +
** December 1936, p.A61;
  +
** January 1937, p.A57;
  +
** February 1937, p.A52;
  +
** March 1937, p.A104;
  +
** April 1937, p.A108;
  +
** May 1937, p.A65;
  +
** June 1937, p.A52;
  +
** July 1937, p.A54;
  +
** August 1937, p.A53;
  +
** October 1937, p.A50;
  +
** November 1937, p.A50;
  +
** December 1937, p.A40;
  +
** January 1938, p.A44;
  +
** February 1938, p.A37;
  +
** March 1938, p.A44;
  +
** April 1938, p.A46;
  +
** May 1938, p.A44;
  +
** June 1938, p.A42;
  +
** September 1938, p.A36;
  +
** January 1939, p.A27;
  +
** April 1941, p.512.
 
* {{Showa10}}
  
* {{Showa10}}
−
* ''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. Advertisement on p.51, corresponding to p.17 of the December 15, 1939 issue.
 +
* {{NSKT1000}} Advertisement on p.51, corresponding to p.17 of the December 15, 1939 issue.
 
* {{Lewis}}
  
* {{Lewis}}
   

Latest revision as of 09:54, 9 October 2010

5054688755_1e91b79bde_m.jpg
Advertisement by Kuwata in Asahi Camera June 1938. (Image rights)

K.K. Kuwata Shōkai (㈱桑田商会) was a Japanese distributor, based in Osaka[1] and founded at the beginning of the 20th century.[2]

In 1936, Kuwata released the Mulber (3×4) and Mulber Six cameras. Kuwata was certainly the owner of the "Mulber" brand, and the cameras were certainly made by third-party manufacturers. The name "Mulber Camera Works" appears on the shutter plate of the Mulber (3×4) camera and in original advertising documents,[3] but that was certainly a dummy name, as other names ending in Camera Works.

In 1939, Kuwata released the Semi Mulber, a rebadged version of the Semi Kinka made by Yamamoto Shashinki Kōsakusho; the same camera was also sold by Riken as the Adler B. In 1940, it started distributing the Seica, a 4×4cm camera made by an unknown manufacturer, that was previously distributed by Riken. This might indicate that the company was involved into commercial agreements with Riken.

The Kuwata company used "KKS" initials in the name of various products, or applied a KKS marking. The significance of these initials is unknown.

Kuwata Shōkai survived the war, and it was an authorized dealer of the Shinkoh Rabbit in 1953.

Cameras distributed[]

2165019419_3bf3f48f53_t.jpg 5057381575_02f79130f2_t.jpg 1516284045_9078e54983_t.jpg 314365528_65581f6f51_t.jpg
Mulber (3×4) Mulber Six Semi Mulber, second model Mulix

127 film[]

  • Mulber (3×4)
  • Seica (4×4)

120 film[]

The Green, a rebadged version of the Gotex by Kigawa, has the exact same KKS logo as the Mulix; this might indicate that the camera was distributed by Kuwata.

Other products[]

5060140257_93cc936989_m.jpg 322090947_1fde9a822a_m.jpg
Mulber rangefinder,
from Asahi Camera November 1936.
(Image rights) 		KKS Anastigmat Mulber 21cm f/4.5.
That particular example is missing the diaphragm ring.
Picture courtesy of Jay Tepper. (Image rights)
  • KKS Anastigmat Mulber 21cm f/4.5 large format lens, diaphragm to f/32,[4] sold ¥125 in 1941[5]
  • Bimagon (ビマゴン) wide-angle attachment for Mulber, Tessar, Congo or Taiyo 21cm f/4.5 lenses, sold ¥35 or ¥45 in 1941[5]
  • Mulber accessory rangefinder, sold ¥15 in 1936[6]
  • Mulber filters[7]
  • Magnon enlarger, advertised in 1941[8]
  • Magnon Special 75/4.5 enlarging lens, advertised in 1940[9]
  • Mulber flash powder[10]
  • KKS darkroom chemicals[11]
5060180569_d5607e2389.jpg
Advertisement in Asahi Camera April 1941, showing the Mulber 21cm f/4.5 lens and Magnon enlarger. (Image rights)

Imports[]

In the early 1930s, Kuwata was the importer of Gevaert products. In 1938, it advertised the German Certo Dollina III, but it is not known if it was the importer or a mere retailer.

2217788776_b03acd7983_d.jpg
Advertisements for Gevaert products in Asahi Camera February 1930. (Image rights)

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Its address in 1936 and early 1937 was Ōsaka-shi Nishi-ku Shinmachi-dōri 1–2 (大阪市西区新町通一丁目二番地); from May 1937 it was Ōsaka-shi Nishi-ku Itachibori Minami-dōri 1–13 (大阪市西区立売堀南通一丁目十三番地). Source: advertisements in Asahi Camera April 1936 to September 1939.
  2. ↑ Lewis, pp.27–8.
  3. ↑ See Mulber (3×4).
  4. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Advertisements in Asahi Camera February 1941 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.77, and in Asahi Camera April 1941, p.512.
  6. ↑ Advertisements in Asahi Camera November 1936, p.A65, and December 1936, p.A61. That dated December is also reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.95.
  7. ↑ Advertisements in Asahi Camera June and September 1939, October 1940 and February 1941, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.77 and 95–6, advertisement in Asahi Camera April 1941, p.512, and advertisement on p.17 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.51 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku.
  8. ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera April 1941, p.512.
  9. ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera October 1940, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.95.
  10. ↑ Advertisements in Asahi Camera May 1937, p.A65, June 1937, p.A52, and July 1937, p.A54.
  11. ↑ Advertisements in Asahi Camera April 1939 and February 1941, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.77 and 95.

Bibliography[]

  • Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Kuwata Shōkai:
    • February 1930, p.A17;
    • April 1936, p.A26;
    • July 1936, p.A44;
    • August 1936, p.A48;
    • September 1936, p.A56;
    • October 1936, p.A63;
    • November 1936, p.A65;
    • December 1936, p.A61;
    • January 1937, p.A57;
    • February 1937, p.A52;
    • March 1937, p.A104;
    • April 1937, p.A108;
    • May 1937, p.A65;
    • June 1937, p.A52;
    • July 1937, p.A54;
    • August 1937, p.A53;
    • October 1937, p.A50;
    • November 1937, p.A50;
    • December 1937, p.A40;
    • January 1938, p.A44;
    • February 1938, p.A37;
    • March 1938, p.A44;
    • April 1938, p.A46;
    • May 1938, p.A44;
    • June 1938, p.A42;
    • September 1938, p.A36;
    • January 1939, p.A27;
    • April 1941, p.512.
  • 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.
  • 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. Advertisement on p.51, corresponding to p.17 of the December 15, 1939 issue.
  • Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), ISBN 0-935398-16-3 (hard).
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