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.

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

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
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
  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.[6]

References
  1. 会社概要 (in Japanese). Takarajimasha. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  2. Moeran, Brian; Skov, Lise (2013). Women, Media and Consumption in Japan. Routledge. pp. 229–230. ISBN 9781136782732.
  3. Fitzpatrick, Michael (May 11, 2008). "Manga mania grips schoolgirls". Times Educational Supplement. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  4. 沿革 (in Japanese). Takarajimasha. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  5. Bonami, Francesco; Simons, Raf; Frisa, Maria Luisa (2003). The fourth sex: adolescent extremes. Charta. p. 265. ISBN 9781136782732.
  6. Osawa, Juro (October 20, 2010). "Meet Japan's 'Brand Mooks': Half-magazine, Half-book, All Hit". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
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