WWll Imperial Japanese Soldiers Box Kanji etc

[Wblastoff]

WWll Imperial Japanese Box

This box is awesome, beautifully made with Nickel plated fittings. (which is weird cause they would shine in sun) I believe it held some survey equipment, but anyone who reads Kanji I could use some help. Would love to find what was inside bring them together again.

[SHEMP H]

The aluminum tag in photo 5 has the manufacturers date as January 1941

[Akira Komiya]

Apparently it is a box for an artillery theodolite made in January, 1941 by “東京光學機械株式會社ーTokyo Kougakukikai Kabushikigaisha- Tokyo Optical Machinery Corporation”, today’s Topcon Corporation.
Because in addition to the bright fittings, there are no type designation, and no star in a circle stamp indicating acceptance by the Army, I first thought that it was for a civilian transit, theodolite or similar surveying equipment, but found an almost identical example, albeit made by Nikon, on a site of those who study historical Nikon products: August 2005, Nikon Kenkyukai. The box is almost identical to yours except that instead of writing “地上標定機箱”, it writes”地上標定機匣” which both read “Chijouhyouteiki bako”, box for artillery theodolite with the difference being the last characters 箱 vs 匣” both indicating box.
Maybe these were commercial equipment being used for military use?

[MAP]

Separate from the topic, I just want to say how great it is to have Akira posting on the forum. A great resource and addition.

[Akira Komiya]

Dear Map-san:
Thank you very much for the very kind words.
Although I am no match for my late brother Nick, I am happy if I can be of some use to the collector community.
Kindest regards,

Akira Komiya

[Akira Komiya]

Just so that in case the link to the site becomes inactive in the future the photos will still be viewable here for posterity, I will attach photos taken from the site.
The link to the site is as follows: August 2005, Nikon Kenkyukai

[Kiipu]

The name plate has the 東 final inspection mark which was used by the Tōkyō 1st Army Arsenal 東京第一陸軍造兵廠.

[Akira Komiya]

I didn’t get that. (I was under the misconception that everything accepted by the Army had a star stamp, but come to think of it, the only items I really looked at were aircraft related items.)

[Kiipu]

As an aside, this type of wooden box was also used for microscopes, both in the United States and Japan.

After the war, the Japanese exported binoculars, cameras, and microscopes, to the United States. I actually own a pair of Japanese made binoculars that my father bought at Sears back in the 1950s. Japanese optics were thought highly of in this country.

[Akira Komiya]

-As an aside, this type of wooden box was also used for microscopes, both in the United States and Japan.-
I must confess that until you pointed me out to the arsenal stamp and its significance (I didn't notice the "東" stamp until you pointed it out and even if I did, I didn't know that the "東" stamp was an arsenal stamp, which demonstrates that it is never too late to learn something), I was still somewhat skeptical of its military use even after finding the Nikon enthusiasts' site.

-I actually own a pair of Japanese made binoculars that my father bought at Sears back in the 1950s. Japanese optics were thought highly of in this country.-
According to a German book on military optics that I have, Japan was supposed to have imported huge quantities of optical glass from Germany prior to the outbreak of WW2 in anticipation of embargos, so that may be a reason. Even today, the use of Zeiss lenses are a big selling point for cell phones, digital cameras, cam coders, etc.