Japanese WWII binoculars
Article about: There is little news, on the binoculars used by the Japanese army in the Second World War, I hope that starting this post can give more info on the subject. I have this article Outline of Ja
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Japanese WWII binoculars
There is little news, on the binoculars used by the Japanese army in the Second World War, I hope that starting this post can give more info on the subject.
I have this article
Outline of Japanese binocular production. by Peter Abrahams, telscope@europa.com
In 1873, Matsugoro Asakura traveled to Austria for Japanese government
sponsored study of optical manufacturing; returning in 1875 to build a lens
making factory, also with government assistance. Matsugoro died before
finishing the factory, which was completed in 1876, producing ophthalmic lenses
using imported glass. His son, Kametaro Asakura, developed a photographic lens
after 1883, exhibiting it in 1890, the first known Japanese made multi element
photographic lens (there were earlier singlet objectives).
During the 1894-1895 Sino-Japanese War, Konishiroku Co. imported binoculars
from Carl Zeiss: fifty of the 6 power models, fifty 8 power, and five 5 & 10
power ('Admiral Togo' Marineglas) models.
Fujii Brothers were the first binocular manufacturer in Japan, producing
their first models in 1911. Ryuzo Fujii graduated from the Tokyo Institute of
Technology in mechanical engineering, studied optics in Germany for 3 years;
and from 1901-1908 was a naval engineer (Army officer in other sources), then
left to open a business with brother Kohzo (or Mitsuzo), a chemist. After
renting a dirt floor room in a house, for research work, in 1909 they opened
the Fujii Lens Works in Tokyo with German fabrication equipment and Zeiss
measuring instruments. Their intent was to produce binoculars, and after two
years of development, circa 1911, the first Japanese binocular was produced,
the Fujii Brothers Victor 8 x 20. Galilean field glasses might also have been
made. WWI brought on difficulties in obtaining the German optical glass used
in these early models, but production continued. 6 x 15 and 6 x 20 binoculars
were exported to Russia and England. In 1917, Fujii joined with the Tokyo
Keiki Seisaku Sho (Tokyo Measuring Instrument Works - metal fabricators), and
Iwaki Glass, (also Mitsubishi, who provided investment funds), to form Nippon
Kogaku, for the purpose of manufacturing optical munitions.
In 1915, due to the difficulties in importing German optical glass, the
Japanese Naval Institute of Technology in Tokyo began to develop optical glass
manufacture, also sending students to Germany and England; with the design and
production of lenses beginning in 1918. The Institute was destroyed in the
1923 earthquake, and the technical staff joined Nippon Kogaku. The Nikon Corp.
web site lists 1918 as the year that optical glass research and production
began at Nippon Kogaku. In 1921, the Osaka Industrial Material Testing
Laboratory (part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce) began research
into the production of optical glass, which at the time was imported from
England, France, and Germany.
In 1918, Nippon Kogaku exported over 15,000 prism binoculars (in 18 models)
to England, France, America, and Russia. In 1921, eight German scientists &
engineers were hired for five years: Max Lang, Hermann Dillmann, Ernst Bernick,
Otto Stange, Adolf Sadtler, Karl Weise, Albert Ruppert, and Heinrich Acht (the
principal engineer). One of the first tasks for the group was redesigning NK
binoculars, resulting in the Luscar & Mikron models of 1921. The Mikron, in 4x
and 6x, were very small, weighing only 90 grams for the 6x models. The Orion 6
x 24 and 8 x 26, and the Nova series, appeared in 1923. The German team also
assisted in the introduction of photographic lenses. 1948 saw the release of a
new Mikron series including a CF model of the Mikron 6 x 15.
During the 1930s, the Japanese Army decided to issue a binocular to all non
commissioned officers. Prism binoculars cost 80 Yen, and Nippon Kogaku was
asked to produce a binocular costing 30 Yen. The result was the Imperial Army
NCO field binocular type 93, a Galilean with a reticle for estimating distance.
Reticles are not used in Galilean binoculars because there is no internal focal
plane, but in the NK design, a scale was etched on the inner surface of the
objective, and a convex lens was glued to the upper half of the ocular, to
focus on the scale. This design is unique among mass produced binoculars and
quite effective.
During WWII, Nippon Kogaku had 23,000 employees in 25 factories; but
immediately postwar had 900 people & 2 factories. Certain optical glass
supplies were imported during WWII from Germany, via submarine.
In 1919, Asahi Kogaku was established in Tokyo to make ophthalmic lenses,
making movie projector lenses by 1923, and photographic lenses by 1929 or 1931.
WWII destroyed most of the factory and the company was closed. Asahi Optical
Co. was restarted in 1948 to make binoculars for export.
In 1919, the forerunner of Olympus Optical Co. was established as a
microscope manufacturer, Takachiho Seisaku Sho. Photographic lenses were first
made in 1936. The Olympus name was adopted in 1949.
In 1928, the forerunner of Minolta was founded as Nichi-Doku Shashinki
Shokai (translated as 'Japan-Germany'). Lens production began in 1937. In
1942, Minolta was commissioned by the Japanese Navy to manufacture optical
glass at a plant near Kobe. The first Japanese coated camera lens was a
Minolta Rokkor of 1946.
1932 saw the merger of factories including an optical plant, to form Hattori
Tokei Ten, to manufacture clocks. They made photographic lenses by 1934. At
some date, the company became Tokyo Kogaku Kikai, Tokyo Optical, using the Toko
mark on binoculars during WWII.
Canon began as Seiki Kogaku Kenku Sho in 1933, producing cameras by 1935 and
lenses by 1939. The Canon name was adopted in 1947.
Riken Optics, later Ricoh, began making sensitized paper, and was making
cameras by 1938.
In 1934, the Fuji Photo Film Co. was established (not related to Fujii
Brothers). In 1938, Fuji began melting and production of optical glass and
lenses. During World War II, Fuji made lenses and aerial cameras. Post-war,
Fuji produced optical glass and lenses for studio cameras.
Japanese military 'giant' binoculars are quite common a half century after
WWII. Production numbers are not known, but diagrams of Japanese Navy vessels
show, for example, a cruiser class ship with 13 giant binoculars mounted on the
deck.
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Kevin Kuhne wrote the chapter, 'Japanese Binoculars', for 'Militaerische
Fernglaeser und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe, und Marine', by Hans Seeger
(Hamburg: Seeger, 1996). A summary of this chapter follows:
Toko and Nikko produced the largest number of large military binoculars
during WWII. Most eyepieces were variations of the standard 5 element Erfle
design, with 60 degree apparent field and low eye relief. The Japanese bought
about 200,000 pounds of optical glass from Schott 1939 - 1944. External,
eyepiece mounted polarizing and haze filters were usually provided, and gas
charging ports are found on all models, some with internal dessicant in a silk
bag. The U.S. giant binoculars used during WWII were mostly directly copied
from captured Japanese models.
Collimation by adjusting eccentric ring objective cell: 60mm, 80mm, 105mm,
120mm, and some of the 150mm models.
Collimation by adjusting prisms: Some 150mm models, and the 180 mm model.
Models included:
7.5 x 60. 45 degree inclined eyepieces. Erfle eyepieces, 60 degree field.
Schmidt roof prism with swiveling rhomboid prisms to adjust IPD. Performance
excellent.
10 x 60. 60 degree inclined eyepieces. Erfle eyepieces, 60 degree field.
Amici type roof prism, with swiveling rhomboid prisms to adjust IPD.
Performance adequate.
10 x 80. Straight through. Porro II.
15 x 80. Straight through. Erfle eyepieces, 60 degree field. Porro II
prisms. Objectives are air spaced achromats. Performance very good.
15 x 80. 45 degree inclined eyepieces. Erfle eyepieces, 60 degree field.
45 degree deviation prism and a Porro II prism. Made by Yashima. Performance
adequate.
15 x 80. 60 degree inclined eyepieces. Erfle eyepieces, 60 degree field.
Scaled up version of the 10 x 60. Performance very good.
15 x 100. Straight through. 60 degree apparent field. Objective is a
three element Cooke type lens, allowing shorter focal length. Performance
excellent.
20 x 100. Straight through. Erfle eyepieces, 60 degree field. Porro Il
prisms. Objective is an air spaced achromat. Scaled up version of the 15 x
80. Performance very good.
15 x 105. 60 degree inclined eyepieces. Erfle eyepieces, 60 degree field.
Objective is air spaced. Scaled up version of the 15 x 80, with same roof &
rhomboid prisms. Performance excellent.
15 x 120. Straight through. Erfle eyepiece, 60 degree field. Objective is
a three element Cooke type lens. Scaled up version of the 80 mm Porro II. One
example is labeled (translation
'120 mm Binocular for Night Torpedo No. 59
Manufactured in 2nd Month of Showa 13th Year (Feb. 1938) By Tokyo Kogakukikai
Kabushiki Kaisha' (Tokyo Optical Equipment Co.).
15 x 120. 45 degree inclined eyepieces. 60 degree field, oversized
eyepiece with eye lens 30.5mm diameter, long eye relief. Schmidt roof prism
with swiveling rhomboid prism for IPD. Made by Toko. Performance excellent.
20 x 120. Straight through. Erfle eyepiece, 60 degree field. Scaled up
version of the 80 mm Porro II.
20 x 120. Straight through. Erfle eyepiece, 60 degree field. Porro II.
Deck mounted on submarines, in a sealed steel case, objectives covered by 40 mm
glass window, eyepieces behind steel door. IPD adjustment via lever between
the eyepieces, fastened to gears that rotate Porro II housings. 170 pounds.
Scaled up version of the 80 mm Porro II.
20 x 120. 22.5 degree inclined eyepieces. Erfle eyepiece, 60 degree field.
Large Porro II prisms with exit face angled at 22.5 degrees, swiveling rhomboid
prisms to adjust IPD. Performance excellent.
20 x 120. 45 degree inclined eyepieces. Erfle eyepiece, 60 degree field.
45 degree Schmidt prism with swiveling rhomboid prism to adjust IPD. Made by
Nikko. Performance excellent.
120 mm models weigh from 30 to 50 pounds without their mountings.
18.8 x 150. Porro II. Objectives are doublets or Cooke triplets.
Performance excellent.
20 x 150. 60 degree field. Porro II. Objectives are doublets or Cooke
triplets. Performance excellent.
25 x 150. 60 degree field. Porro II. Objectives are doublets or Cooke
triplets. Performance excellent.
20 & 30 x 150. 60 degree field. Turret mounted eyepieces. Porro II.
Objectives are doublets or Cooke triplets. Performance excellent.
150 mm models weigh about 80 pounds.
22.5 & 30 x 180. 60 degree field. Turret mounted eyepieces. Porro II.
Objectives are Cooke triplets, f 4.5. Weighs about 130 pounds.
33 x 200. Folded optical system: from objective lens, through two 90 degree
prisms, through two 45 degree prisms, to eyepiece. 1400mm focal length, 787mm
physical dimension. Erfle eyepiece, 60 degree field. Cooke triplet
objectives. Cast bronze body, weighs over 250 pounds without mounting. Optics
are not coated. Performance quite satisfactory. Labeled (translation '20
cm. Telescope #2, Manufactured at the Japanese Naval Technical Centre, February
1932.'
50 & 83 x 250. Turret mounted eyepieces. Two made by Nikko in the early
1940s, used at the Russo-Japanese front for artillery spotting, one destroyed
in action, one returned to Japan during the war, now at the National Science
Museum in Tokyo, modified to 40 x 250. Brass, weighs over 300 pounds without
mounting.
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On 20 February, 1947, the U.S. General McArthur signed the document SCAPIN
1535, which required all export items carry to carry the MIOJ mark for 'Made in
Occupied Japan'. (SCAP = Supreme Commaner for the Allied Powers). Post-war
control of Japanese exports was held by U.S. military offices until August,
1949. The MIOJ requirement was in force until SCAPIN 2061, 05 December 1949,
(another source places this date at the treaty signed on 08 September, 1951,
becoming effective 28 April, 1952). After one of these dates, 'Made in Japan'
or 'Japan' were used. In 1952, the military occupation of Japan ended.
The 'J-symbols' (JB and JL followed by a number) were used after November of
1959, for about 30 years, to indicate a product approved by the Japan
Binoculars Export Promotion Association. These marks, about 2mm in height, are
usually next to the bridge, between the objectives. JB, followed by 2 or 3
digits, identifies the maker of the finished binocular, and JE identifies the
maker of the metal body. The J shows a horizontal line from the middle of the
J, combining L and J to mean Light Machinery of Japan. The common oval paper
label 'PASSED JTII' means compliance with the export standards of the Japan
Telescopes Inspection Institute.
Tamron company was founded in November of 1950 as Taisei Optical Equipment
Manufacturing, in Urawa, producing cameras and binocular lenses commences
Japanese manufacturing and marketing businesses were permitted to deduct
from their income taxes 80 percent of their income from exports.
An important part of the history of binocular manufacture in Japan is the
highly controlled nature of the business. It is impossible to understand these
circumstances without fluency in Japanese. A sketch of the situation is found
in a 2 page paper, "History of Binoculars, as outlined in Japan". No author is
given, but from the reference to Otsuka Optical, the source can probably be
inferred:
"From 1955 on, Japan could manage to share 95% of the world market of
binoculars. On the other hand, optical instrument manufacturers made their
appearance one after another, going in for an excessive business competition.
In January 1955, the Japan Export Binocular Industry Association was
established and began demand-and-supply adjustment work (controls on the
quantity of shipment, sales price and method) to eliminate the excessive
competition, thus giving rise to the appearance of an era of cartels. It was
in those days that Otsuka Optical was born with an allocated production
capacity of 200 binoculars a month. Later, this adjustment work was extended
to cover six lines of business, such as trading companies, lenses, molding,
barrels, and cases, thus driving Japan's binocular industry into an era of
cartels on a full scale."
"For a further solidification of the cartels, the Japan Binocular Export
Projects Association was established in August 1960 to engage in substantial
buying and selling. In March 1961, however, the substantial buying and selling
were called off due to the backlog and dwindling fund. The Association's debts
amounted to 500 million Yen. Without any constructive measures taken, the
exports were suspended in April 1961, placing the Japanese binocular industry
in the worst condition. In an attempt to have access to an allocation,
businesses purchased 20% of the backlog and shipped them although they were
aware that the dealings would increase their deficits. It is under such
circumstances that many businesses went down."
Further information related to the business or technical development of the
Japanese binocular industry would be welcome.
--------
sources:
Baird, John. Early Binoculars. Nikon Historical Society NHS Journal #31,
March 1991.
Baird, John. The Japanese Camera. Yakima: Historical Camera Publications,
1990.
Condax, Philip; The Evolution of the Japanese Camera; pp4-5. Tano, Masahiro; A
Brief History of Japanese Cameras; pp6-10. Hibi, Takashi and William S.
Fujimura; A History of Japanese Camera Optics; pp11-15. The Evolution of the
Japanese Camera. Rochester: George Eastman House, 1984.
Donnelly, George. The Development of the Japanese Photographic Products
Industry 1954-1958. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Commerce,
1959.
Iba, Yasuaki. Amateur Astronomy and Telescope Making in Japan. Popular
Astronomy 39 (1931) 290-291.
Kuhne, Kevin. Japanese Binoculars. Chapter 3.2 of: Militaerische Fernglaeser
und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe, und Marine, by Hans Seeger (Hamburg: Seeger,
1996).
Lane, Richard. N-K Optical Ordnance. Nikon Historical Society NHS Journal;
June 1993, Sept. 1993, Dec. 1993, March 1994, June 1994, Sept. 1994, March
1995.
Meyer, Cy. MIOJ: From When to When? Nikon Historical Society NHS Journal,
Dec. 31, 1992.
Nikon | ページが見つかりません
http://nikon.topica.ne.jp/bi_e/encyclo/history.htm
Nikon | ページが見つかりません
株式会社タムロン コーポレートサイト
PHOTOGUIDE.JP/Search
http://www.cameraguild.co.jp/nekosan/binos.htm
================================================== =====
See web page: http://home.europa.com/~telscope/binotele.htm
for further information, including:
JB - JE codes for manufacturers; list of codes & explanation.
'The List of Binocular Makers' 1959. -Japan Binoculars Export Promotion Co. 203 companies.
Trademarks of optical manufacturers. From: Guide Book of Japanese Optical and Precision Instruments: Japan Optical and Precision Instruments Manufacturers' Association. 1953, 1957/58, 1959/60, 1961/62, 1964-65, 1966-1967, 1973-1974.
Japan Telescopes Inspection Institute, notice & photo. LJ mark on instruments.
Photographs of Japanese binocular factories from the 1950s.
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There are a few serious monograph studies in Japanese on this subject done by researchers at the Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science as well as other sources in the optics industry issued in pdf form, so I can supply these if you want to get them translated by a professional translator. Unfortunately, this is another area I personally have no wish to write about.
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by
nick komiya
Not exist a simple list with the industries who make binocular in WWII ? Thanks
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Probably, but I never looked for such.
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This can help too THE LIST OF BINOCULAR MAKERS 1959.
Japan Binoculars Export Promotion Co., Ltd.
http://home.europa.com/~telscope/j-list.txt
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光覇號 [last one is old kanji for 号]
Mitsuharu-go
Mitsuharu-name/number/nickname
Named to
富樫
Togashi
--Guy
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