Takarajimasha

Takarajimasha, Inc.
Takarajimasha headquarters
PredecessorTakarajima Photo Chemicals Co., Ltd.
FoundedSeptember 22, 1971; 53 years ago (1971-09-22)
Country of originJapan
Headquarters locationChiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Key peopleMakoto Sekigawa[1][2]
(President)
Fiction genresFashion magazines
Revenue¥300.9 million[3]
No. of employees212 (as of September 2013)[3]
Official websitetkj.jp

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,[4][5] fashion magazines in general, as well as guide books.

History

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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.[6] Established by some Waseda University former revolutionary students, in May 1974 it started to publish its first magazine, Takarajima, a Japanese subculture focused magazine,[4][7] which was followed by Bessatsu Takarajima in March 1976.[6] Kono Mystery ga Sugoi!, a guide book magazine, was first published in December 1989,[6] while fashion magazine Cutie[5] was first published in September 1989.[6] On April 1, 1993, its name changed to Takarajimasha.[6] Smart, Spring, and Sweet, all young-targeted fashion magazines,[5][8] are published since October 1995, February 1996, and March 1999 respectively.[6] 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.[8]

Publications

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Fashion

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Targeted to teen girls
  • Cutie
  • Spring
  • Mini
  • Steady
Targeted to women in their 20s and 30s
  • Sweet
  • InRed
  • Mori Girl Lesson [9]
Targeted to women in their 40s
  • Glow
  • Linen (リンネル, Rinneru)
Targeted to men
  • Smart
  • Men's Roses

Other

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Currently
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

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  1. ^ 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.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "会社概要". Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  2. ^ "宝島社　新社長に関川誠氏が就任". Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  3. ^ a b 会社概要 (in Japanese). Takarajimasha. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Moeran, Brian; Skov, Lise (2013). Women, Media and Consumption in Japan. Routledge. pp. 229–230. ISBN 9781136782732.
  5. ^ a b c Fitzpatrick, Michael (May 11, 2008). "Manga mania grips schoolgirls". Times Educational Supplement. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e f 沿革 (in Japanese). Takarajimasha. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  7. ^ Bonami, Francesco; Simons, Raf; Frisa, Maria Luisa (2003). The fourth sex: adolescent extremes. Charta. p. 265. ISBN 9781136782732.
  8. ^ a b c Osawa, Juro (October 20, 2010). "Meet Japan's 'Brand Mooks': Half-magazine, Half-book, All Hit". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  9. ^ 森ガール Lesson 2. Classico. March 10th, 2010. Retrieved April 29th, 2024.
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