Takarajimasha
Takarajimasha, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社宝島社, Hepburn: Kabushiki Gaisha Takarajimasha) is a Japanese publishing company based in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It is known for publishing subculture-oriented fashion magazines aimed at teens,[2][3] fashion magazines in general, as well as guide books.
Predecessor | Takarajima Photo Chemicals Co., Ltd. |
---|---|
Founded | September 22, 1971 |
Country of origin | Japan |
Headquarters location | Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan |
Fiction genres | Fashion magazines |
Revenue | ¥300.9 million[1] |
No. of employees | 212 (as of September 2013)[1] |
Official website | tkj |
History
The company was founded on September 22, 1971 as a consulting business of local government titled JICC, Inc. (株式会社ジェー・アイ・シー・シー) and a successor of the former Takarajima Photo Chemicals Co., Ltd. that was founded in 1918.[4] Established by some Waseda University former revolutionary students, in May 1974 it started to publish its first magazine, Takarajima, a Japanese subculture focused magazine,[2][5] which was followed by Bessatsu Takarajima in March 1976.[4] Kono Mystery ga Sugoi!, a guide book magazine, was first published in December 1989,[4] while fashion magazine Cutie[3] was first published in September 1989.[4] On April 1, 1993, its name changed to Takarajimasha.[4] Smart, Spring, and Sweet, all young-targeted fashion magazines,[3][6] are published since October 1995, February 1996, and March 1999 respectively.[4] Takarajimasha is also known for creating in 2005 the concept of "brand mook", a mook[note 1] featuring a catalogue of new items of a brand and limited edition product of this brand.[6]
Publications
Fashion
- Targeted to teen girls
- Cutie
- Spring
- Mini
- Steady
- Targeted to women in their 20s and 30s
- Sweet
- InRed
- Targeted to women in their 40s
- Glow
- Linen (リンネル, Rinneru)
- Targeted to men
- Smart
- Men's Roses
Other
- Currently
- Takarajima (宝島)
- Bessatsu Takarajima (別冊宝島)
- Kono Mystery ga Sugoi!
- Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!
- Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (このマンガがすごい!)
- Kono Anime ga Sugoi! (このアニメがすごい!)
- Kono Eiga ga Sugoi! (この映画がすごい!)
- Inakagurashi no Hon (田舎暮らしの本)
- Former
- Weekly Shōnen Takarajima (週刊少年宝島, Shūkan Shōnen Takarajima)
- CUTiE Comic
- Takarajima 30 (宝島30)
- Famicon Hisshō Hon (ファミコン必勝本)
- UltraOne (ウルトラONE, Urutora Wan)
- Boom
- Band Yarouze (バンドやろうぜ, Bando Yarouze)
Notes
- A mook is a book that has the content and format of magazine, but is designed to be for sale for a longer period than a magazine, like a book is.[6]
References
- 会社概要 (in Japanese). Takarajimasha. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- Moeran, Brian; Skov, Lise (2013). Women, Media and Consumption in Japan. Routledge. pp. 229–230. ISBN 9781136782732.
- Fitzpatrick, Michael (May 11, 2008). "Manga mania grips schoolgirls". Times Educational Supplement. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- 沿革 (in Japanese). Takarajimasha. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- Bonami, Francesco; Simons, Raf; Frisa, Maria Luisa (2003). The fourth sex: adolescent extremes. Charta. p. 265. ISBN 9781136782732.
- Osawa, Juro (October 20, 2010). "Meet Japan's 'Brand Mooks': Half-magazine, Half-book, All Hit". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2014.