Nikon A Japanese History - a mini book review

[Rollin]

I’m working on an article related to the Nippon Kogaku W-Nikkor 3.5cm/1.8 and hoping to find more about the designer Hideo Azuma, so imported a copy of Giulio Forti’s Nikon A Japanese History. Also, was thinking it might be a nice Christmas present for a friend who is a digital Nikon user and he might appreciate learning more about the history of the company. My references otherwise are Robert Rotoloni’s The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System, which of course is not meant to be a comprehensive company history, reading posts in this forum, and various internet articles like Robert’s & Mike Eckman’s excellent Rotoloni Reports.

Recently published in 2024 in Italy, and 312 pages long, I hoped it would have lots of details. I could not find it available in the States, so the least expensive I found was ordering it from Amazon Spain for about $50, and with shipping, etc. adding $31. You might be able to find better.

Unfortunately, it is a labor to read as the translation/copy editing is horrendously bad. This is an example on pg. 2:



I am concerned there are a few places where the facts got lost in translation too.

I did find interesting sections here and there, like the details of Ryuzo Fujii’s recruitment trip after World War I where he signed the eight German specialists to five year contracts. And then that two died in Japan, and the reasons for all but one of the remaining's contract being cut short.

The back cover states the goal was to present the history “with the charm of a novel.” I was not charmed by seventeen poorly written pages on the one year war with Russia that could have been boiled down to about two to three pages of Nikon relevant info in my opinion. I do give the author credit for tying in the wars and other influences in the country in a direct way to the development of the company.

I’m guessing there is good information in it, and perhaps even unique details not published elsewhere, or at least not in a single volume, but as I shared before I do not have the other resources to say that firmly. I did trudge through it until finished with the rangefinder era on pg. 148, but will not be ordering a copy for my friend as I can not see anyone enjoying it unless conducting research.

So I ask, what is considered the definitive English language Nikon History book?

 

[hermank]

I think Forti wrote it in English. The book does not mention a translator, so he/she cannot be blamed. I read this book a few month ago and I completely agree with Rollins review.